Highland Park United Methodist Church has a new take on College Ministry

Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) is proud to announce that the SMU Wesley Foundation is now part of its robust ministry offering. HPUMC and the SMU Wesley Foundation have a long history of working together to minister to the students on the SMU campus and will be reestablishing the house as the new College Ministry of HPUMC.

The SMU Wesley Foundation will officially transition to become the Wesley House, The College Ministry of HPUMC. Leading the next generation of college leaders will be Rev. Andrew Beard, the current director of SMU Wesley and Sarah Beard, the current college ministry coordinator for HPUMC. Andrew and Sarah have been married for twelve years and are equipped with 15+ years of experience in guiding college students to establish a firm foundation in faith and life.

Beginning with a small group of students three years ago, the SMU Wesley Foundation, paired with HPUMC’s college ministry, experienced substantial growth under the leadership of the Beards. They are now ministering to almost 100 students on a weekly basis. “These students are connecting with SMU Wesley first, and we are helping them find their place in the local church over the course of four years," said Rev. Andrew Beard. Sarah Beard added, “When they graduate and everything else has changed, they are still plugged into Christian community, and their faith doesn’t have to suffer.”

HPUMC’s goal is to make the Wesley House feel like home. "The number one reason students leave SMU is because of homesickness," says Rev. Beard. "The Wesley House will be a ministry that will look and feel like a home. It will be a place where students can study, enjoy meals together, hang out, and be with other people while trying to navigate similar stages of life."

HPUMC and the Wesley House see this new ministry as benefiting all involved because of the students who are now becoming more engaged in local United Methodist churches. This transition means students will continue to find community and purpose through Jesus Christ during their time at SMU and will have new opportunities to connect as fully engaged members of the church far beyond their college years.