Lutheran Campus Ministry - Crossroads

We welcome and honor all...We discover and respond to God's call...We transform lives through loving relationships...We serve God's world

Hi! I’m Pastor Jenna (PJ) Couch, the new campus pastor at Crossroads!  I’m so thrilled to be here! I wanted to introduce myself and share my hopes and dreams for this incredible ministry.  I grew up in a small town in northeast Iowa.  I went to Wartburg College (‘08) in Waverly, Iowa and Wartburg Theological Seminary (‘12) in Dubuque Iowa.  I’ve served 3 congregations in the midwest and I’m looking forward to this new adventure in campus ministry! My husband and I live with our 2 children, a 5 year old and almost 3 year old, in Austin, Minnesota.  We plan on moving to Mankato in the spring/summer of 2024.

My name is Hannah and I am a senior at MSU studying Audiology. I was led to Crossroads during my Sophomore year at Minnesota State University-Mankato.  I was hesitant to join any ministry during my freshman year as I felt as though my schoolwork and building friendships were more important at the time.  Although I did not have a ministry, I felt as though God was with me during that year helping me build relationships with others and persevere through my first year of college classes. Sara lived on my floor freshman year and we become good friends.  She had invited me to Crossroads many times but I politely declined each time.  

It wasn’t until Sophomore year when Sara and I were living in the dorms again, this time as roommates, that I finally took her up on the offer to go one Wednesday night.  After the service that night I knew this was a place I wanted to spend my time at on Wednesday nights.  Looking back at it now and having to write my thoughts down on paper to share with all of you, I can tell you that God called me to Crossroads at a time in my life when I really needed it. On Thanksgiving morning during my Sophomore year, I got a phone call from my friend to tell me that our close friend had passed away that morning.  Ever since I had known her I knew her struggle with mental illness.  We all knew it was serious and that she had gotten help through her struggle, but never had I thought I would ever be getting that phone call to tell me she was gone, when just the week before I had had a conversation on the phone with her.  I came back to campus after spending a couple of days with friends, still in shock from all that happened.  

Going to Crossroads that week was what I needed, as Pastor Tammy and all the students prayed with me for my friend, her family, and her friends-It is a moment I will never forget, as I felt God's hand on my shoulder comforting me at a time I needed it the most.  I feel as though God brought me to Crossroads to help me deal with this difficult time in my life and help me grow more in my faith.  For the time I've been at Crossroads I've been able to explore my faith and experience the love Jesus has for me through the long lasting relationships that have formed with other students and with Pastor Tammy.  I don’t know where I would be today without the support and friendships I have made through Crossroads.

   This video shows what Campus Ministry in Southeastern Minnesota looks like in the eyes of students and community members