Can you describe CSFPA?

The Christian Student Foundation (CSFPA) is a campus ministry organization whose specific function is to establish Christian campus ministries on secular college and university campuses throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As a 501 c 3 non-profit corporation, CSFPA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, whose responsibility is to provide spiritual guidance and support for existing ministries.

Furthermore, CSFPA exists for the specific purpose of serving the spiritual needs of the students. Our presence on campus also connects us with university staff, administration, and faculty. CSFPA sponsored fellowship groups, known as Christian Student Fellowship (CSF), strive to help young collegians balance all the disciplines of the Christian faith: worship, prayer, study, fasting, meditation, submission, simplicity, solitude and service.:

Is every CSF fellowship group the same?

No two CSF campus groups are exactly the same. Each group holds several common activities; like weekly meeting and retreats, while also conducting events unique to each campus throughout the year.

What Church / Denomination do you work with?

As an independent organization, CSFPA works across all denominational boundaries. It is not our intention to become another competing church body, or a replacement for any student’s local church affiliation. We are a ministry and missionary arm of the church at large, serving the campus community. We do not aim at making converts to a denomination, but at making and nurturing disciples of Jesus. The “Go and make Disciples…” mandate of Matthew 28:18-20 belongs to all of us. In response to that mandate, we invite, teach and encourage everyone toward a relationship with Jesus and a life increasingly conformed to his example and his will.

How are the campus ministries of CSFPA funded?

The campus ministries of CSFPA rely on financial contributions of individuals and congregations who believe in our mission and vision. Each designated or undesignated gift is utilized to cover salary and benefits of current campus ministry staff and their families. Plus, as directed by CSFPA Board, monies are set aside for basic administration costs and he establishment of future campus ministries throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

A huge misconception believed by many is how the ministry staff is salaried. The misconception is they are compensated by the university to which they are assigned. This would be in violation of federal guidelines in regard to church and state. The best way to view funding is to think in terms of missions supported by the local church.

How much does it cost to fund a campus ministry?

Start up costs for a new campus fellowship is estimated to be around $50,000. This would cover salary and benefits package for the ministry staff plus seed funding for the fellowship group to advertise on campus.