By Caray Oldham/MicroMemphis Reporter
The area code for Memphis is 901, but to many University of Memphis Students it's more than an area code. It is a time, a place, and a religious safe haven for more than 200 college students every Tuesday night.
Less than a mile from the University of Memphis, nestled between Poplar and Central avenues is the Second Presbyterian Church. Second Pres, as many call it for short, is home to a collegiate outreach ministry called "901."
On any Tuesday night around 9:01 p.m. you can see hundreds of students flooding through the doors of the church for a Bible study led by students where they can share their personal stories, play games and have friendly competitions all while growing their faith.
Less than a mile from the University of Memphis, nestled between Poplar and Central avenues is the Second Presbyterian Church. Second Pres, as many call it for short, is home to a collegiate outreach ministry called "901."
On any Tuesday night around 9:01 p.m. you can see hundreds of students flooding through the doors of the church for a Bible study led by students where they can share their personal stories, play games and have friendly competitions all while growing their faith.
Matt Johnson is a senior at the University of Memphis, and has been attending Second Pres for the past two years. His first experience with the church was in 2010 when it hosted weekly meetings on campus.
"Campus Outreach has challenged me in my beliefs," Johnson says. He is a native Memphian who feels community service used to just be a thing he had to do, but now it's much more than that. "I have a heart for the community now. I care about what goes on around me."
Campus Outreach is a Christian based registered student organization on campus that is partnered with Second Pres. It's goal is to reach out to college students without them having to leave campus. Denny Catalano is the director of campus outreach.
"My hope is that we wouldn't just be a place where students grow in their faith, but also mold students that go out and show Christ to others," Catalano says.
Second Pres is active within the University District, but Catalano admits they make a strong connection with the campus population.
"We see any where from 175 to 205 students a week at 901," Catalano says. Second Pres has students who volunteer with the Memphis Athletic Ministries, Orange Mound outreach and most recently the new KROC center.
The University District houses multiple churches, but Second Pres has the most presence on campus, Catalano says.
"With so many churches competing on a college campus, it's really important to have a church that wants to reach out and just talk. We just want to teach. You don't even have to be a believer, just come learn," Catalano says.
"901" meets every Tuesday night and is open to all college students. For more information you can visit www.2pc.org
"Campus Outreach has challenged me in my beliefs," Johnson says. He is a native Memphian who feels community service used to just be a thing he had to do, but now it's much more than that. "I have a heart for the community now. I care about what goes on around me."
Campus Outreach is a Christian based registered student organization on campus that is partnered with Second Pres. It's goal is to reach out to college students without them having to leave campus. Denny Catalano is the director of campus outreach.
"My hope is that we wouldn't just be a place where students grow in their faith, but also mold students that go out and show Christ to others," Catalano says.
Second Pres is active within the University District, but Catalano admits they make a strong connection with the campus population.
"We see any where from 175 to 205 students a week at 901," Catalano says. Second Pres has students who volunteer with the Memphis Athletic Ministries, Orange Mound outreach and most recently the new KROC center.
The University District houses multiple churches, but Second Pres has the most presence on campus, Catalano says.
"With so many churches competing on a college campus, it's really important to have a church that wants to reach out and just talk. We just want to teach. You don't even have to be a believer, just come learn," Catalano says.
"901" meets every Tuesday night and is open to all college students. For more information you can visit www.2pc.org
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