Christian Campus House, located on South Maguire Street in Warrensburg, kicked off its second annual Week of Welcome with a special worship service and a cookout on Sunday, Aug. 13.

UCM alumnus and campus minister Daylen Brandes helped organize the event, which was open to all students.

Christian Campus House Week of Welcome consisted of events such as game night and ice cream, DIG worship , mud volleyball, cookout and yard games.

“The Week of Welcome is really awesome because you get to meet different people and new people, which is always refreshing and nice,” said Sarah Miller, senior interior design major. “There’s a lot of fun activities planned, so even if you don’t get to meet new people you have a good time anyways.”

Miller said the people of Christian Campus House want to offer a friendly face for everyone.

“My goal is that new students feel welcome no matter who they are because I think that is what Christian Campus House is all about,” Miller said. “This gives students the opportunity to be involved in something.”

Brandes said they want the best for the students of UCM.

“We believe that belonging matters and sometimes before people are ever interested in faith of any kind, they are more interested in belonging to a community,” Brandes said. “We provide a space and a community of friendship and joy that then then allow people to have their barriers removed for what Jesus has for them.”

Christian Campus House is not exclusively for Christians.

“If you find a community of people that you really like, totally become involved in it. I am all for missionary work by just living out your life. Your life is a testament. Spending time with people who don’t think the same way you do is great because it will change your opinion on something or give you a better understanding of what you already believe,” said Kristine Reinagel, graduate piano pedagogy major.

Christian Campus House also takes students abroad. There are several trips coming up.

“An event I am for sure we are going to have is the spring break trip, which is very much based on building relationships with each other,” Brandes said. “Typically, we like to go to the mountains.”

Not only does Christian Campus House go abroad, they also reach out to the locals.

“We’ve done trips to Kansas City to reach out to the homeless there. We’ve taken trips down to Haiti and the Philippines,” Brandes said. “We’re pretty much open to wherever God is leading or wherever the students’ hearts are lead to. If you or other students get behind something, we are willing to do the research and get behind them to create something awesome.”

To connect with the Christian Campus House, call 660-362-0875 or email Brandes at Dbrandes@digdeeper.org.