University of Kentucky Wesley Foundation
The University of Kentucky Wesley Foundation is a United Methodist campus ministry that seeks to provide a Christian community and a residential living environment on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington, Kentucky.
History
The Wesley Foundation was established in 1945 at the University of Kentucky Wesley Foundation on the corner of Maxwell and Limestone. It wasn't until 1986 when the UKWF obtained a residential dorm from a leaving sorority at 508 Columbia Ave. This purchase allowed the opportunity to house 49 students (24 men, 24 women, 1 Head Resident) in a Christian community. The dorm is the largest residential community of its kind among all Wesley Foundations.[1]
Mission
The organization states its mission as: "to lead students to God through Jesus Christ, nurture their growth in that relationship, prepare students to advance the Kingdom of God and develop Christian leaders in a safe Christian residential living environment".[2]
Eat - Free dinner and bible study on Monday nights at 6:30pm
Laugh - Great time with great friends
Share - Small groups studying the Word of God
Pray - 24x7 prayer room is available
Jesus - The reason and focus of all that we do
Dormitory
Each floor holds 24 women, 24 men, and 1 head resident who live life together providing friendship, laughter, and support. A men's and woman's RA, along with one head resident share the responsibility of leadership in this unique community that is overseen by the Wesley Foundation director. In addition, the Wesley Foundation is staffed with a women's campus minister who shares the responsibility of helping the student staff.[3]
Ministry
In addition to housing university students, the UK Wesley Foundation is also a campus ministry that provides weekly dinners, events, small groups, and Bible studies. All of these activities help to grow together in community, take away the stress of school, and focus on God on.
Some of the events of the year include an annual fall retreat, intramural sports teams, a Halloween party, Christmas caroling, spring formal dance, and a coffee house.
Missions
The Wesley Foundation is involved with many missions projects throughout the year. This includes hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for International students on campus, singing Christmas carols local hospitals, participating in collecting gifts for people in poverty around the holidays, taking spring and summer break mission trips to locations all over the United States and some international trips, and other mission projects that the students think up through the year.
Every spring break and summer, students travel to The Good Shepherd Orphanage to serve the people of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Every trip includes ministering to the children and staff, providing a vacation Bible school, construction of play sets, walls, and buildings. Other work includes helping the local church and promoting Haitian small business.[4]