By Matthew Taylor, news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Trent Creason, former director of student activities at Campbellsville University, is the new campus minister at the university.
In 2008, Creason had high ambitions to have a life for Christ saying, after his commencement from Campbellsville University: “At this point in my life, I’m really seeking to follow Christ. I intend to enroll in a seminary in the fall in search of a master’s of divinity degree. I hope to one day be using the gifts and talents God has blessed me with to lead others to Christ either here in the United States or throughout the world.”
Since then, that mindset has taken Creason to well over 25 mission trips in the United States and 11 additional trips to countries to share Christ’s love and opened numerous Christ-centered job opportunities for him through Campbellsville University that have included campus ministries intern, adjunct faculty in theology and English as a Second Language and director of student activities.
He has served in various capacities on multiple committees that have led him to additional Christ-related positions including chapel coordinator for Kentucky Christian Academy and part-time at Campbellsville Baptist Church Youth and College Ministries. He has served as the associate pastor at Lowell Avenue Baptist Church in Campbellsville for the past 11 years.
While Creason was serving the Lord through mission trips and Christ-centered work, he also worked to improve his knowledge of Christ and discipleship by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry through Campbellsville University and a Master of Arts in Family and Discipleship from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is working toward a doctorate with Liberty University.
Creason has received many rewards for his work and Christ-centered mindset. In 2008, Creason was awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award where Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of the university at that time, said during Creason’s commencement when it was awarded: “It is evident that God’s hands are upon this young man.”
Along with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, Creason has also received the Campbellsville University Servant Leadership Award, Mr. Campbellsville, Alpha Chi, Rotary Club Award, Outstanding Senior, Who’s Who Among American Students and Pastoral Ministries Award, all while a student. He was valedictorian and graduated summa cum laude.
During employment at Campbellsville University, Creason has received the Diversity and Community Staff Award, Friend of Earth Stewardship Award and Honorary Member, Omicron Delta Kappa.
“I have a long history with Campbellsville University, practically growing up on campus,” Creason said. His mother, Rita Creason, is the registrar for Campbellsville University, and his father, Larry Creason, is a former assistant professor of criminal justice and archery coach for Campbellsville University.
“I have always loved Campbellsville, but I would have never imagined remaining in Campbellsville this long,” Creason said. “I originally ended up moving back here because it was overall cheaper to live in Campbellsville as a newly married, young couple. From there God opened various doors for both my wife and me over the past 11 years to serve and minister.”
“My wife, Sarah, and I met at Campbellsville University serving on revival teams through campus ministry our freshman year. Over the next three years, we had the opportunity to serve together in many capacities, but it wasn’t until our senior year that we began to date and by 2010, we were married,” Creason said.
“We have both served in various capacities at Campbellsville University other the years led by the desire to simply live a missional life wherever we were placed.” The couple has three children: Nehemiah, Evelynn and Levi.
“I’m excited to see how the Lord will lead and grow campus ministry,” Creason said. “I hope to see campus ministry become an umbrella for many avenues for our campus body to grow spiritually and holistically, serve, connect with local bodies of faith and be a place that develops true and last community.”
“My hope is that campus ministry is not a separate entity but engaged and involved in the various outlets of campus life to truly meet the needs of our students, faculty, staff and coaches,” he said.
Creason said he was “very grateful for the opportunity [to serve as campus minister] and do not take the responsibility lightly. I’ve often said that whatever vocation or role I found myself, I would be serving in a way to truly help shepherd others. The shepherd model we see in scripture is someone who serves and lays down their life for those in their care. To be a campus minister is someone who is seeking to lead and live in this manner.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,500 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.