Rev. Geoffrey Robinson
Executive Counselor for Outreach
District Office
1145 South Barr Street
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
800-837-1145, Ext. 2207
260-423-1511, Ext. 2207
Fax: 260-423-1514
July 1, 2016
Dear Students, Members, Alumni and Friends of University Lutheran Church,
Greetings in the Name of Christ Jesus Our Lord. The purpose of this letter is to inform you concerning our ongoing commitment to our campus ministry at University Lutheran Church at Purdue.
Vice President David Shadday and I (The Executive Counselor for Outreach and Human Care) would like to thank you for your prayers and support of University Lutheran Church located at 100 S. Chauncey Hill, West Lafayette, Indiana. It has been Rev. Shadday’s privilege to represent ULU as an elected regional Vice President of the Central region of our Indiana District - LCMS. I am also privileged to represent ULU as the called Executive Counselor for Outreach and Human Care for the Indiana District – LCMS. Both of us have been actively advocating for University Lutheran before the Board of Directors of the Indiana District – LCMS.
Please understand that University Lutheran is different from many LCMS congregations in that the District owns the property and provides the pastor’s salary and benefits. Rev. Shadday and I ask you to please prayerfully consider the following information. As you may know, there has been a fund drive to renovate the building on Chauncey Hill. Funds have been pledged and received for this project. Justwhen renovations were about to begin on the present site of ULU., the District was approached by a developer wanting to purchase the Chauncey Hill property. Our immediate response was that we would not consider such an idea unless we were presented with an alternative site that provided as great or greater opportunities to minister God’s grace to Purdue Lutheran students and to reach the lost.
The developer came back with a proposal to buy the ULU. property in exchange for the Exponent building, directly across Northwestern from the EE building. In the exchange ULU would get a more up to date building, along with sufficient funds to renovate the first floor for offices, a coffee house and study area for people to come days and evenings, and renovate the third floor for worship. Another advantage would be that the funds donated for the renovation could be placed in an endowment fund. Some alumni have agreed to place the funds donated for the renovation into this endowment. That, coupled with some pledges from others for endowment, gives us the prospect of a substantial endowment to help fund the ministry of University Lutheran. Please note that the Board of Directors is considering all options. They have not made any decisions as of the writing of this letter. They understand clearly that the purpose of this ministry is to touch the lives of the students at ULU in ways that will go with them into their walk of faith in the years that follow. The Board of Directors of the Indiana District-LCMS has as their goal sustaining and improving Campus Ministry at ULUnow and in the future. The Board of Directors is the fiduciary responsible entity in the Indiana District – LCMS. They will make the final decision concerning either staying at the present location of ULU or moving to a different site.Much of the “on the ground work” – talking with political leaders, investors, buyers and sellers has been done by Steven Strauch (Our Indiana District LCEF VP who lives in Lafayette), Attorney Michael Hawk (BOD member, and Mr Don Scifres (BOD member and Purdue Alum). These folks have readily local access to a situation that changes daily). In addition Attorney Daniel Teder (Local Lafayette attorney) is working with this issue. Because we have quite a group working on what is a complex matter we need to work at communication to keep everyone abreast of the ongoing effort.
The BOD will not meet until September (At WL) for an onsite visit. If and when a decision is made it can only be made by the BOD. The BOD is slowly, carefully and thoroughly investigating our options and our long range ministry opportunities at PU. Your prayers and patience are most appreciated!
Meanwhile, the Word and Sacrament ministry at ULU will continue under the capable pastoral care of Pastor Herman. Come and visit this fall and enjoy the ever-changing Purdue campus and the vibrant ministry at ULU – Homecoming, Parents’ Weekend etc.! You are always welcome to join us in saying “Go Boilers!”
May the Lord richly bless and keep you as you serve Him in your vocations of life.
Rev. Geoffrey L. Robinson,
Executive Counselor for Outreach and Human Care – Indiana District - LCMS
Pastor David Shadday
Regional Vice President – Central region of the Indiana District - LCMS
“The Mission of the Indiana District is to encourage and assist
the Christian outreach and nurture of its congregations and other ministries.”