In a time when many college students drop out of church, we recognize the crucial importance and value of student ministry. The Student Ecumenical Partnership is the primary student ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Working to network more than 140 campus and congregational ministries across the country, STEP continues to find new ways to serve students as they explore how to respond to God's call for their lives. Four Disciples serve on the STEP Leadership Team, which helps craft the vision for STEP and works every day to strengthen ministry with college students.

The HELM Leadership Fellows Program nurtures undergraduate students who have already demonstrated the ability to lead in their congregations and regions and in classrooms and communities. This program pairs students with mentors on or near their campuses who will help develop leadership skills in new, challenging settings. In addition to a modest grant, summer internships provide new ways of looking at old challenges, and annual gatherings expose students to leaders who share a part of themselves. In five years, 41 students have participated, and some of those students are already involved in leadership projects on the denominational level.

HELM supports ministerial students in a variety of ways. The biennial Seminarians Conference provides opportunities to meet church leaders and broaden the understanding of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). HELM also manages two graduate scholarship programs and a small fund to assist seminarians in emergencies. HELM has been involved the Nazareth Consensus addressing training for licensed ministers, and we are involved in many small projects that help Disciples ministers learn more about our denomination and the unique role of Disciples in our culture.

HELM serves the schools that serve the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Representatives of the 17 colleges and universities and 10 theological institutions affiliated with the denomination gather regularly to discuss leadership and educational issues. We work with admission, financial aid, and church relations offices to recruit students for Disciples schools. The College-University Grant program provides seed money for projects that tie the church and educational institutions together.

HELM also helps other organizations that nurture leaders. Two congregations have entrusted HELM to manage funds that generate scholarships. The Bethany Fellows Program supports new pastors during the challenging transition from seminary to pastoral leadership. HELM also supports the Young Adult Commission, which works to provide opportunities in the church for another group important in the church's growth.

In short, HELM is leading our denomination as we do God's work. While it's not always easy, it's good work, and we hope you will join us.