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College Ministries

Neil Odgers has been with South Church since 1987.  He holds a special interest in the college ministry, because that is the stage of his life when he came to know Christ.  As a college sophomore at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Neil had two roommates who were believers, and he was not.  Coming from a Catholic background, Neil knew of Christ but had not accepted Him as his personal Savior.  Neil was followed-up by Terry, a staff member of Campus Crusade.  He taught Neil everything from the importance of God’s word to the true meaning of walking in His spirit.  This was Neil’s first experience with discipleship, and it changed his life as he began his Christian journey. After graduating, Neil went on to work with Campus Crusade at the University of Iowa for four years.  There he learned that he wanted to be in a church setting, so he went to Portland, Oregon to attend seminary.  As he pursued his Master’s degree in Divinity, Neil worked with a large church in the Singles Ministry.  From Portland, Neil went to Denver where he continued a Singles Ministry at a place called South.  He also worked as a clothing consultant, helping businessmen purchase and put together their wardrobes.  Neil’s first position as College Pastor followed in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he served for three years ministering to students.  Finally, God brought Neil Odgers to South Church through Warren Wiersbe and Pastor Sugden, who was then the Senior Pastor.  Neil has been with South through many transitions, and through it all Neil says that South has always been a growing church, and he sees the present as the most exciting time yet in the church’s growth.