You could say campus ministry emits an irresistible gravitational pull for Pastor Christina Nesslage. From her formative church experience in college, to her time as a master’s student with the Duke Lutherans, to an internship at Lutheran Church of the Epiphany (Wake Forest’s campus ministry), and then to her first call as campus pastor at LCM Raleigh*, this type of ministry seems to possess a magnetic effect in her life. It’s hard to imagine the call to campus ministry being any clearer for Christina.
As a college student she was profoundly shaped by a Lutheran congregation and now she gets to participate in God’s shaping of the students she serves. Christina grew up in the Wesleyan tradition, but as she puts it, “Lutheranism found me in college.” She found her theological footing in a community rooted in the Lutheran tradition, experiencing deep meaning in the sacraments and creedal confessions. Looking back on this formative experience she says, “The ministry that caught me in college – that’s the kind of space I want to create.”
The space she creates at LCM Raleigh as a campus pastor is one where students are encouraged to be curious, to probe, and to ask questions. Christina “loves the curiosity of faith,” and sees this mutual exploration of life and faith as holy work. Her first baptism is a perfect example of how this holy work happens in the campus ministry and congregation, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where she lives out her calling. While asking a student to consider church membership, she quickly discovered that the student was not baptized. Before she knew it, she was getting herself and her student ready for an Easter plunge into baptismal waters. For Christina, “getting to discern and explore,” with this student was a holy privilege.
It is no surprise that when LCM Raleigh came calling, Christina described her response as an “easy yes.” Sure, like all callings it is not a constant stream of unicorns and rainbows, but it is where Christina is meant to be at this time and in this place. Her congregation, her students, and the LuMin Network are elated that she said yes, and continues to say yes to campus ministry each day.
LCM Raleigh is one of 179 ministries affiliated with LuMin, the ELCA Campus Ministry Network.
*LCM Raleigh serves students from NC State University, Meredith College, Shaw University, Peace College, St. Augustine’s University, and Wake Tech Community College
