Aug. 3, 2010
For Immediate Release
These Campbellsville University students launched a prayer ministry called Tiger Prayer Ministry. They are: Erin Alston, Campbellsville, in back; Kaylynn Best, Harrodsburg, left; Carri Hunt, Mt. Vernon; right Maribeth Milburn, Lawrenceburg, all members of CU FIRST CLASS where they were assigned a Servant Leadership project. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener)
By Linda Waggener, marketing and media relations coordinator
Four Campbellsville University freshmen launched a prayer ministry for students and faculty at CU hoping to turn a class assignment into something that will help others for much longer than just the duration of one semester. The stated purpose of the Tiger Prayer Ministry (TPM) is “to glorify God by simply being his hands and feet to the campus.” The students said the main goal of TPM is for no one ever to feel alone.
Under the direction of Tina Propes, an adjunct instructor, and with the mentoring of CU senior Maggie Argenbright of Lebanon Junction, Ky., the Tiger Prayer Ministry (TPM) was developed by Kaylynn Best, Harrodsburg, Ky; Erin Alston, Campbellsville; Carri Hunt, Mt. Vernon, Ky; and Maribeth Milburn, Lawrenceburg, Ky., while they were members of CU's FIRST CLASS where all freshmen are assigned a Servant Leadership project.
In the Tiger Prayer Ministry, prayers are invited to be sent in by e-mail. As prayers begin on behalf of the requester, an affirming e-mail response is sent. The address, tigerprayerministry@gmail.com, is in a public domain so that the prayer network can continue work through the summer and between semesters when student e-mail is closed.
When word of TPM reached CU leaders, President Michael V. Carter said, “It is good to see this ministry come from our students. Campbellsville University is a place where students are supported and encouraged to grow into servant leaders for our Lord and Savior. This is a fine example of that growth.”
Milburn said she originally felt called to start this service project in Oasis, the student-led weekly prayer service in Ransdell Chapel. She felt a need to build her project so that it could become something much greater than an assignment, something to help everyone, especially fellow students and faculty at CU. The other three joined her in that effort when ideas were being shared in class.
“Prayer has always been a big part of my life,” Milburn said, “especially in recent years when both my mother and grandmother were being treated for cancer at the same time. “Prayers were constant across two counties, Rockcastle, home, and Pulaski, home of the Somerset Baptist Temple.”
Ephesians 4:29 was given as justification when the project was submitted to their professor, Milburn said, “Our ministry is trying to encourage others according to their needs, and in the process, glorify God.” She said that initial TPM prayer requests were on subjects ranging from the stresses of the winding up the semester to concerns about salvation.
For more information about Campbellsville University's student-led ministries, contact the Rev. Ed Pavy, director, Baptist Campus Ministry, at ecpavy@campbellsville.edu or 270-789-5227.
Campbellsville University is widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 45 undergraduate programs, 16 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.