Student Soul began in 2002, when Helen Harray and Richard Dawson started running services for students on the Otago University campus in Dunedin, New Zealand. Why did it start, what was the need? The need was twofold. First, young people from small churches around Otago and Southland were landing at Uni and struggling to finding a church home. Second, there was awareness and conviction that this thing we call “church” matters: that the life and message and promise of Jesus matters. So, Student Soul was born to be a home in the present, as well as equipping and inspiring students for their futures.
Student Soul is now in its fourth season of life. The first season was a time of inspiration, challenge, of putting down roots, and of growth. In the mid-2000’s Student Soul grew into a vibrant and creative community of young people. The church developed a unique culture, prioritised the equipping of leaders, made a strong contribution to arts in the city, and championed an alternative way of doing church. It was a good beginning.
The second season came after the first wave of SSers graduated. The dream was now established, but there was lots to do. The ministry remained financially dependent, the community was reforming after major turnover, and some early dreams had not come to pass. (Such as the vision for SS to be a church-planting church, although we note the gallant effort at establishing a new Student Soul at the Auckland University campus.) What do you do when the joy and energy of the new thing fades but the demands remain? Well, season two for Student Soul is the season of faithfulness and consistency. The truth is, good things take time, and sometimes you just gotta stick at it. Credit to every friend and partner of Student Soul who has played a part in sticking at it. Thank you.
The third phase began with the arrival of Ivan Martinez and his family from the USA. Ivan was given the task of starting afresh (which with student rhythms is really just a part of the deal). In doing so he led Student Soul into a new place, embracing a liturgical worship approach and melding it with a depth of spiritual and intellectual engagement. At the end of 2016, Ivan moved on. This paved the way for current leaders Lynne Taylor and Tom Mepham, to enter the picture, so beginning this fourth phase in the life of the Student Soul journey.
(See recent not-yet-integrated updates in this blog post)
We really need to update this section. Yes we do.