July 2019 Missional Report

Caring

WWEESSLLEEYY Inclusive
Christian

FFOOUUNNDDAATTIIOONN

A United Methodist Campus Ministry at the
University of Minnesota Twin Cities

spaces for community in
sharing.

The 2018-2019 school year Each summer, we prepare for
brought exciting changes and the students we have yet to
growth to the Wesley meet and ask God to help us
Foundation. We welcomed in the find those who most need to
largest freshman class in recent know the love of Christ. The
history, successfully impacting new student officers are
more students and expanding already hard at work organizing
our community in the process. new groups, events and
opportunities to welcome new
Week after week, I witnessed students into the caring,
students, who began the year inclusive, Christian community
as strangers, grow ever deeper that is the Wesley Foundation.
in their care for each other and
their love of God. Whether it Thanks to their passion and your
was during worship at the generosity we look forward to
student center, over hot cocoa another successful year of the
at the coffee shop, or in the van campus movement model.
on the way to retreat, Wesley
students created authentic - Rev. Lauren Rheingans

21 Today's Students
Students Tomorrow's
participated
in Fall Retreat Christian Leaders

50% increase from Throughout the 2018-2019 school
previous year year, the Wesley Foundation

New created enriching experiences for an
engaged group of new students.
Worship
Team Wesley
Students Are
6
Leading and taking
participated in a responsibility
Mission Trip to
Surfside, TX Creating meaningful
experiences
x2
Dynamically responding to
Doubled student's needs
Weekly
Worship Engaging and inclusive to all
Attendance
Developing life-long skills

Growing in faith and service

Student Survey Results

Students Define Feelings of Self Worth & Identity as a Child of God 100%
Resilience in Times of Hardship
Areas of Growth
Applying Faith to Daily Life 90 of students
Prayer and Spiritual Practice said Wesley
Service and Social Justice positively
800 impacted them
in these areas.

Why Wesley? Doug
Hoffmann
A message from Board Chair &
parent of a Wesley Alum

As the new Board Chair for the earning a significant scholarship, he
Wesley Foundation at the University reluctantly was “convinced” to
of Minnesota, and as a Board attend. Zach's first year was
member for the past five years, I am difficult. Before returning for his
honored to be able to support the sophomore year, it was suggested he
Wesley Foundation. This truly has search out Wesley since he was
been an opportunity for me to give raised in the Methodist church (The
back and to pay it forward. Please Well, Rosemount). Zach became
allow me to share my perspectives. close to the campus minister at
Wesley, and then became very
I did not attend the U; rather, I active in the group. He served in
attended the University of Arizona many capacities, most notably as the
(Go ‘Cats!). During my years in one responsible for writing the grants
Tucson, I experienced much of what to get student fees as well as student
our current students experience – president. The time Zach spent at
the highs and lows, the fun and Wesley truly saved his college life.
anxiety, the friendships and And, now, he also shares his life with
loneliness. I was fortunate to find another Wesley alum – Rachael
and be involved in a campus ministry Acevedo – as the two were married
(the Campus Christian Center) where in April. You can see why I believe
I was able to feel safe, welcomed, Wesley is so important.
accepted and appreciated for nearly
three years. It was instrumental in I hope you, too, will see and
helping me succeed and helped lay appreciate how valuable Wesley is
the foundation of my spiritual life to the future of this campus and the
which guides me today. lives it touches. Please consider
supporting Wesley today!

The second perspective deals with - Rev. Lauren Rheingans
something even more important than
the first – my son Zach. Zach did not
want to attend the U for many
reasons. However, as a result of

STEWARDING OUR RESOURCES

Striving to rely less on investment
income, this year we successfully:

Increased number of $
contributors to 122 compared

to 86 in previous year

Received more community
support through grant funding

Made use of free space on campus
and moved office location reducing

rent expenses by 90%

Budget 41 %

2018-2019 gifts from our
generous
$146,000 Investment
Income supporters

39%

18% Grants

Board of Directors Staff

Rachel Acevedo-Hoffmann Sally Friisoe Rev. Lauren Rheingans
Rev. Wayne Albertson Christopher Hagge Campus Minister
Marcia Alexander
Rev. Amelia Buschena Doug Hoffmann Jill H. Apple
Jeff Cadwell * David Knutson * Development Director
Neil Carlson
Rev. Carl Caskey JoAnn Knutson
Eric Forsberg *
Rev. Wayne Walther *

Completed board service in July

Learn more at gopherwesley.com