At Renew College Ministry, it is our mission to join God in the work that He is already doing on the campus of Arkansas Tech University.

The Beginning

In the late 1970’s several people in area Churches of Christ in the Arkansas River Valley noticed a void at Arkansas Tech University. The void they sensed, and ultimately the conversations they were having, led to the foundation of the Church of Christ Student Center at Arkansas Tech University. By the fall of 1980, the “old yellow house” had been moved to the south end of the football field on Tech’s campus, our first campus minister, Ken Pulley, was in place, and the campus ministry was up and running.

The Knaack Era

One of the brightest seasons of ministry on campus at ATU was lead by Jim Knaack who served as CCSC director from 1982-1991. While the campus ministry was established in the early 80’s, it really began to build momentum under Jim’s leadership. One of the hallmarks of his leadership was a deep commitment to loving, serving, and investing in students. He also worked toward involving area churches, establishing the Wednesday “Noon Meal,” a weekly event that lasted for over twenty years. As the main supporting church, West Side has always been a big part of the ministry of the CCSC. Under Jim’s leadership, a level of commitment, involvement, and fondness was established at West Side that exists to this day. In 1991, Jim was tragically killed in a car accident, cutting his life short. Today, people fondly talk about Jim. In fact, to many, the Knaack era was one of the “golden eras” of ministry on campus at ATU. 

New Momentum

The ministry began to gain momentum again in the late 90s under the sustained leadership of Chris Buxton who became CCSC director in 1998. Chris served in the position for eleven years before moving to Jonesboro, AR to revive the campus ministry at his alma mater, Arkansas State University, in 2009. 

One of the most exciting moments in our history came at the beginning of the fall semester in 2003 when we moved into our new facility at 209 West “L” St. This was an important moment because it opened so many doors for what would be possible moving forward. Not only that but it also allowed the ministry to move forward with a head of steam it hadn’t experienced in a few school years. So much time, effort, and energy went into raising funds and making plans for the new facility that by the time it opened, several years had been dedicated to reaching that moment. 

After the new facility opened, momentum continued to build. The intern program was opened to female students which has proven to be a tremendous blessing. In the years following the opening of the new facility, the apprenticeship program was started. With a larger staff, a new facility, and building momentum, we’ve continued to reach students on campus. 

Renewed Purpose

In 2020 the Church of Christ Student Center adopted the name Renew College Ministry in an effort to better define and communicate our mission on the ATU campus -- to renew the call to follow Jesus on the campus and into the world. God is on a mission of renewal and we're continuing in that mission -- year in and year out -- to reach the campus for and invite students into a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

​When college students take Jesus seriously, the result is a community filled with passion, joy, and hope. We want to help you experience this! At Renew, it is our mission to continually and passionately renew the call to trust and follow Jesus Christ on the college campus and into the world!!!