Sojourn Campus Church grew out of Chi Alpha, a campus ministry that began under K.K. John, an evangelist from India. He describes tumultuous times, with large meetings at times, others small. Towards the end of his time at Chi Alpha, one undergraduate came: Jim Bradford. John sensed leadership of the group should go to Jim, the young engineering student.

Jim came onto campus as a shy engineering student with a vision. He thought revival would hit. Instead, as Jim puts it, “I successfully pastored a group of 15 down to 3!” But, out of that experience was birthed intense prayer and fasting. A short time later God began to grow the ministry. By the late 70s, many were treating the student group as their church, and those overseeing Chi Alpha Campus Ministry encouraged the group to become a church.

In August 1980, after a year of prayer and fasting, Christians in Action University Church was born!

At the time, the church was a dynamic mix of students and young career people, as well as a few young married couples. Discipleship and discipleship households were also strong at this time, with many very young Christians finding their spiritual lives established through the worship gatherings, community life and discipleship.

A marriage “boom” was followed by a “baby boom” and by the late 80s, there were 90 children in a church of 200! In the mid-80s Christians in Action had started a campus ministry internship, and many had been sent out to both regional schools and around the country and even to Germany and France.

In 1988 the founding pastor Jim Bradford was called by God to California.. Mark Durene and Paul Irwin pastored the church faithfully for the next nine years in the midst of a transitional time period.

In 1997 the Elders and members felt led to invite Craig Krueger to pastor the church. The mutual consensus was to renew the campus vision while ministering to all who identify with the church, built on  a foundation of grace-based identity in Christ. Some of the early flourishing of the church in this season related to partnership with International Student Ministry under Jeff Ballantyne. Many students, especially Chinese, came to Christ through Alpha, a discipleship course. Many enjoyed a healthy relationship with the church. Many American students were equipped cross-culturally.

The next major development was a long, fruitful season of campus ministry leadership under Greg Silker. Greg developed creative outreach, a diverse ministry team, and initiated a “revisioning” of the church, leading to the name change “Sojourn Campus Church.” The name change reflects the spiritual “sojourn” we are all on and our desire to help each on their spiritual journey. Greg has refocused his outreach and is now involved in filmmaking and community development, thus continuing to make a vital contribution to developing young people.

Sojourn continues today seeking to:

1.      Impact university students and staff.

2.      Establish believers in grace-filled identity.

3.      Equip all for a fruitful life of service.

4.      Serve all nations through evangelism, compassionate acts of mercy and healing of soul.

Come join us!