The mission of Lutheran Campus Ministry is to proclaim and witness, through word and sacrament, to the saving grace of God in the academic community, among students, faculty, and staff.

Lutheran Campus Ministry works in partnership with Chaplains and other faith leaders at the University of Saskatchewan. In support of student spiritual, emotional and physical wellness, we provide weekly worship and a community meal at the Lutheran Campus Centre (on the corner of College and Wiggins just off campus) Known for its bottomless cookie jar, the Campus Centre has drop-in hours, small group meeting space and provides a supported dorm for 5 residents. Our chaplain George Hind has regular hours for conversation, prayer and counsel at the Campus Centre and on campus at Marquis 104 (beside the Tim’s across from the bookstore) Chaplain George serves on the USask Faith Leader’s Council and is a host for the “Good Breakfast” program on campus.

Lutheran Campus Ministry is a ministry of the Saskatchewan synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Since 1959, the Lutheran Campus Centre has been a “home away from home” for students from all over the province, the country, and the world.  We gather for the spirit of community that is created through worshiping together, eating together, and sharing together in our life on campus.  From our earliest days we have been rooted in the Lutheran tradition but open to all.

We seek to provide a Christian presence on campus in cooperation with other denominations who share similar purposes and goals. 

We also work with people of other faith traditions, learning together how to live in a pluralistic world, demonstrating not only how to tolerate the differences in God’s creation, but how to celebrate them.

Lutheran Student Movement:

“From within the Canadian context, with a primary focus on the academic community, and according to the understanding of the Christian faith as represented in the practice and teaching of the Lutheran heritage, the purpose of the Lutheran Student Movement in Canada shall be to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.” (LSM-C Constitution)

Lutheran Campus Ministry – Saskatoon adheres to The Sexual Abuse or Harassment Policy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and partners with the University of Saskatchewan Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Association.

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Memories from Walter Goos shared in 2025 on the 65th anniversary of Lutheran Campus Ministry:

Early memories for me regarding the Centre were the summer of 1960.  During that summer, Bob Jacob, his cousin Jerry, and I travelled throughout Saskatchewan providing information to Lutheran congregations and soliciting funds from many members for the house on 316 Cumberland Ave.  Funding to buy the house had been received from a number of individuals in Saskatoon, and now the object was to pay back these persons so that it could be owned by the Lutheran Campus Foundation.  As a result of these visits, not only funding was provided, but also a tradition of ”cookies and pillows from congregations” for students.

My next involvement with the Centre was when I returned as Chaplain in September of 1962. I was so fortunate to serve such an enthusiastic and dedicated bunch of students, who provided a vibrant and supportive faith community for all students on campus. Our nightly gatherings at 10:00 pm every evening for worship provided a period of reflection, acceptance and community. Worship was followed with cookies and conversation.  As well, many Sunday evenings were filled with guest speakers who spoke about matters of faith and life. These presentations proved to be of interest to many students who were not from our regular community. This outreach to the larger community provided a venue of inquiry and information to the much larger university community.

The Centre was also involved with other faith communities on the campus.  Through the various chaplains and their communities, noon hour presentations were provided for all and sundry both during the regular university term, and also during intersession and summer school.  In these presentations staff from the university were often engaged, thus giving them opportunity to express their understanding of faith to the larger community.

The Centre Ministry also was extended to the larger Lutheran community in Canada and the United States through the provision of International Lutheran Student Seminars. Two of these seminars were cultural exchanges through the Ivan Illich School of Language and Culture in Mexico. The third session was offered at the University of Saskatchewan during which works of Shakespeare were viewed through the lens of faith. Again, these experiences provided opportunity to grow in faith and knowledge; primary requisites for a fulfilling life.

Here it is 65 years later, and supporters, students, and staff reflect the vibrant and living faith in an academic community in this day. While over these many years thousands of students have come to study at the university and gone to live out their careers, the influence the Centre has had in their lives is not fully measurable, but certainly vital. This ministry continues that presence and the influence of faithful living in community, when more than ever we need to hear words of love and acceptance; hope and joy, vision and faith. God bless you in the years ahead as your ministry serves as light in darkness and demonstrates love where the lonely seek compassion and acceptance. Peace be with you, Walter Goos.