Service and outreach

Like many of our students, you might come from a family or community where you’ve learned to value service. If you want to continue reaching out during college, you won’t be alone. Northwestern students have earned national recognition for exceptional volunteerism. More than 60% volunteer each year; they teach English, tutor schoolchildren, serve soup and manage recycling efforts. They also build orphanages, assist refugees, and participate in medical missions. There are as many ministry opportunities as there are student interests and passions. And if the existing ministry teams don’t serve a cause you are passionate about—start one of your own!

Enlaces en Cristo

Enlaces en Cristo team members interact with our region’s Hispanic community. Students tutor English language learners and Hispanic schoolchildren. They also invite Hispanic community members to campus to play soccer and other sports.

Hunger/Homeless Ministry

Team members serve in soup kitchens and homeless shelters in Sioux City, Iowa; Sioux Falls, S.D.;  Omaha, Neb.; and Minneapolis. They also help raise awareness for hunger and homelessness on campus by organizing canned food drives, packaging food for disaster relief efforts, and hosting events like Night-in-a-Box, when students spend the night at a local park, sleeping in cardboard boxes.

International Justice Mission

International Justice Mission is a Christian human rights organization that seeks justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. Northwestern’s campus chapter advocates for victims through prayer and hosts events to raise awareness for injustices around the world.

Prison Ministry

Students serve inmates and the families of inmates incarcerated in area prisons and residential treatment facilities. They share the gospel and talk about reconciliation. Prison Ministry team members can also be involved with Crossroads Bible Institute, a Bible study program for inmates.

Project Serve

Coordinated through residence life, Project Serve enables wings, floors or whole halls of students to participate in community service such as tutoring schoolchildren, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or collecting donations for Orange City’s food pantry.