SPIRITUAL LIFE & CAMPUS MINISTRY

Welcome to Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry at Wartburg College. We are here to care for and support the entire campus community with God’s grace and love.

Our mission: Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry is called by the Holy Spirit to participate in God’s mission by welcoming everyone as Christ among us by:

  • Overseeing all religiously affiliated student organizations (faith expression groups).
  • Organizing worship, rituals, and special events that build community and promote spiritual wellness.
  • Providing individual or group support and care during times of joy and challenge.
  • Promoting connection to one another and the world beyond campus through service opportunities.
  • Championing the college’s Lutheran roots while joyfully reaching for the experiences and perspectives of other traditions and worldviews on our diverse campus.

We do this through worship, caring conversations, vocational discernment, teaching, and faith-building events. Please read on for more information about these activities and how to set up a time to meet with us.

Upcoming Events

Wartburg’s EPIC (Educational Partnerships in Covenant) program is a cooperative venture with congregations of the three Iowa synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Iowa. The EPIC program refers to a matching grant program that is available to ELCA congregations across the United States.

ELCA Congregations: Individual congregations who are new to EPIC enroll in the program by filling out the enrollment form and annually completing a participation form listing student names and the amount of the congregational gift.  Wartburg College will match congregational gifts up to $750 per academic year per student.

Who can qualify? Any full-time student who is a member of an ELCA congregation and who has fulfilled their congregation’s requirements to receive an EPIC gift from the congregation.  Students and families who are interested should first of all be in conversation with their congregations.  Congregations that already participate in EPIC need to fill out an annual participation form.

People meet with chaplains for a variety of reasons and sometimes for no reason at all! Chaplains are good listeners who are skilled in guiding individuals through a variety of interests or concerns, including…

  • times of crisis or grief
  • relationship struggles
  • big questions: about faith or religion, meaning and purpose (we sometimes call this vocation), spirituality and justice, etc
  • check-ins just for fun over coffee or tea
  • confidential processes: Chaplains are a confidential resource that can assist in bias or Title IX related care while connecting students to other resources as desired
  • discerning what’s next for your life’s journey

Just a note: You do not need to identify as religious or spiritual to meet with Chaplain Maggie. Chaplains meet with people from a diversity of worldviews and values.

SLCM at Wartburg openly welcomes and affirms people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions, and strives for equity on our campus and in our world.

Worship services take place throughout the week in the Wartburg Chapel. Watch Chapel services live or on-demand on Knightvision.

Weekday Chapel: Every M, W, F 10:15-10:35 a.m. during the academic year.
A 20-minute opportunity for worship and reflection led by senior students, faculty, and staff. There are no classes during Chapel time, so it’s a great opportunity to pause and reflect in the midst of a busy day. Interfaith chapel will be the last Wednesday of each month. Mondays: Faculty & Staff faith storiesWednesdays: Restful worship with communionFridays: Senior Chapel

Sanctuary: Wednesday, 9-10 p.m. (Not live streamed)
Sanctuary is a holy space in the midst of your busy life where you can recharge and renew. Expect a relaxed time of Bible study, fellowship, worship band music, prayers, and communion. It takes place on Wednesday evenings at 9 p.m. in Wartburg Chapel. Come by early at 8:45 for snacks and fellowship.

Sunday Morning Worship: Sunday worship services are held periodically throughout the academic year. Check the online calendar for posted service times. We also encourage students to worship with congregations in the community. Many in Waverly and the Cedar Valley welcome students and offer services online. 

MINISTRIES

Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry supports student and staff ministry leaders. For more information about these groups please contact a campus pastor in the SLCM office.

Reconciling in Christ

Statement of Welcome
Because BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ persons and their families are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring nature and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following: As a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in keeping with Wartburg College’s values of diversity and inclusion, the college openly welcomes and affirms people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and understands them to be an important part of the campus community, and will strive for racial equity in our ministry and partnerships.

Catholic Knights –– Gather with other Roman Catholic students for fellowship and learning.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes –– Combine your love of sports and faith.

Hope Overflow – Travel with a worship band and be of service to others.

Muslim Student Associatioon (MSA) – Join others of the Muslim faith.

Sanctuary Bands - Use your gifts to enhance worship.

Women's Bible Study - Gather with other women to share your faith.

This list is not all-inclusive. For updates or more information, please contact a campus pastor in the Spiritual Life & Campus Ministry Office.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL

Payne African Methodist Episcopal Church
1044 Mobile St. Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 233-8189

AMERICAN BAPTIST

Faith Temple
234 S Hackett Road Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 232-4463

APOSTOLIC PENTECOSTAL

Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Waterloo
1645 Downing Ave. Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 234-2920

Christ Temple Apostolic Church
902 South Street Waterloo, IA 50702

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

Crosspoint Church
215 3rd St. NW. Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 483-5116

Grace Community Church
4421 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, 50613
(319) 266-8982

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church of Waverly
211 3rd. St. SW Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-2687

Grace Baptist Church
1110 4th St SW, Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-1464

Antioch Baptist Church
426 Sumner St, Waterloo, IA
(319) 233-2587

Cedar Heights Baptist Church
2430 Neola Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 277-3889

Prairie Lakes Church
1907 Viking Rd. Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-2655

St. Mark Baptist Church
2024 Clearview Street Waterloo, IA 50707
(319) 233-9918

CATHOLIC

St. Mary Church
2700 Horton Rd. Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-2493

St. Patrick Catholic Church
705 Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-3523

St. Stephen the Witness Student Center
1019 W. 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-9863

CONVERGE NORTH CENTRAL

Riverwood Church
PO Box 212 Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 491-6356

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

First Christian Church
1302 W 11th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-5959

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

First Church of Christ Scientist
701 W. 6th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-1240

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Cedarloo Church of Christ
3110 Loma Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-5039

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

Deliverance Temple
305 Cutler St. Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 236-1154

Shilliam Church of God in Christ
307 Shilliam Ave. Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 233-7352

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Cedar Falls Ward
3006 Pleasant Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 277-5230

EPISCOPAL

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
2410 Melrose Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 277-8520
LGTBQ+ Welcome & Affirmation stated on website

EVANGELICAL FREE

First Evangelical Free Church
1015 Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-9108

GREEK ORTHODOX

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
613 W 4th St. Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 232-4773

INDEPENDENT FUNDAMENTAL CHURCHES OF AMERICA

Cedar Bible Church
717 Green Avenue, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-0808

LUTHERAN (ELCA)

Wartburg College (ELCA)
Chapel MWF 10:15-10:35 a.m., Contemporary Worship ‘Sanctuary’ W 9-10 p.m.
LGBTQ+ Welcoming & Affirming, RIC (Reconciling in Christ) Community
All persons, of all faith traditions, are welcome.

Redeemer Lutheran Church (ELCA)
2001 West Bremer Ave. Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-1325

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School (ELCA)
301 1st St. NW. Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-3850
LGTBQ+ Welcome & Affirmation stated on website

LUTHERAN (LCMS)

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (LCMS)
415 4th St. SW. Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-2314

College Hill Lutheran Church (LCMS)
2322 Olive Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-1274

MENNONITE

Cedar Falls Mennonite Church
215 W 9th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 277-5611

METHODIST

Trinity United Methodist Church
1400 W. Bremer Ave. Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-2590

St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church
3220 Terrace Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-0464
LGTBQ+ Welcome & Affirmation stated on website

Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry
2422 College Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-4071
LGTBQ+ Welcome & Affirmation stated on website

MISSIONARY BAPTIST

Corinthian Baptist Church
915 Willow Street Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 235-0411

Christian Fellowship
930 W. 4th St. Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 232-2018

Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
202 Sumner Street, Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 234-4927

Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church
805 Adams St. Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 233-9482

Mt. Moriah Church
321 Normandy Street Waterloo, IA 50703

Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church
432 Newell St. Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 232-6171

Resurrection Missionary Baptist Church
738 April St. Waterloo, IA 50701
(319) 226-5890

Union Missionary Baptist Church
209 Jackson St. Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 235-1213

NAZARENE

Living Water Church of the Nazarene
1210 W. Lone Tree Road, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 277-6757

OPEN BIBLE CHURCHES

Life Church
1013 E. Bremer Ave. Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-2038

PRESBYTERIAN-ORTHODOX

Covenant Presbyterian Church/OPC
2009 Crescent Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-1300

PRESBYTERIAN-USA

Cedar Heights Presbyterian Church
2015 Rainbow Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 268-0153
LGTBQ+ Welcome & Affirmation stated on PCUSA website

First Presbyterian Church
902 Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 277-3930
LGTBQ+ Welcome & Affirmation stated on PCUSA website

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

Waterloo Seventh-day Adventist Church
550 W Airline Hwy. Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 233-2926

SOUTHERN BAPTIST

Crystal Cathedral of Faith
3040 Hammond Ave. Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 830-8410

Community Southern Baptist
522 Anthony St. Waterloo, IA 50704
(319) 233-8228

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

Cedar Valley Unitarian Universalists
3912 Cedar Heights Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-5640
LGTBQ+ Welcome & Affirmation stated on website

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

United Church of Christ
9204 University Avenue, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-9686
LGTBQ+ Welcome & Affirmation stated on website

VINEYARD USA

Embassy Vineyard Church
319 W. Bremer Ave. Waverly, IA 50677
(319) 352-2656

WESLEYAN

Trinity Wesleyan Church
2nd St. & Walnut Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 266-0602

This list is not all-inclusive. For updates or more information, please contact a campus pastor in the Spiritual Life & Campus Ministry Office.

ISLAMIC COMMUNITIES

Masjid Al-noor Islamic Community Center
2110 Sager Avenue, Waterloo IA
(319) 233-6640
Friday Khutbah, 12:45pm in-person or on Facebook Live

Dubuque Tri-State Islamic Center
4980 Radford Ct. Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 503-5588
Friday Khutbah, 1:15pm on Facebook Live

JEWISH COMMUNITIES

Sons of Jacob Synagogue
411 E. Mitchell Ave. Waterloo, IA 50702 
(319) 233-9448

MORE FAITH COMMUNITIES

Cedar Valley Interfaith Council
PURPOSE STATEMENT: “People and communities of faith: gathering in peace as friends…”

Des Moines Zen Center
6901 SW 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50315
Sunday and Wednesday Zazen on Zoom

Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa
33916 155th Ln. Madrid, IA 50156
(515) 795-2635
Daily Worship on YouTube

Milarepa Buddhist Center of Iowa
2871 Heinz Rd Suite A, Iowa City, IA 52240
(937) 244-1961

Pool of Remembrance

More than 300 stones from locations across the United States and around the world fill the Pool of Remembrance on the west side of the Wartburg Chapel. Sent by congregations and institutions, the stones signify the important link between the college and the people who provide Wartburg with students and support its mission with their prayers and gifts.

To zoom in use the + and – buttons on the map.

Note to church leaders and parents: Help your ELCA congregation support young adults as they pursue their education at a Lutheran college or university by starting or supporting a congregational scholarship program. If you would like some ideas on how to do this, contact the Admissions Office at 800-772-2085 or via email at admissions@wartburg.edu.

WARTBURG CHAPEL

Completed in 1994, the Wartburg Chapel is the center for campus worship and faith expression groups. It is also utilized for concerts, weddings, funerals, and church and community events.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHAPEL

STAFF

Karen Black

Cantor and College Organist, Professor of Music, Rudi Inselmann Endowed Professor in Organ

Maggie Garberg Falenschek

Chaplain, Dean of Spiritual Life, Herbert and Cora Moehlmann Chaplaincy Chair

Wendy Mohlis

Office Coordinator for Spiritual Life & Campus Ministry and Counseling Services