Southeastern Wesley - 2020 Impact Report

Aual
Report
2020
SLU
Wesley
Foundation

From the
Direc tors
“What are human beings that you are mindful
of them, mortals that you care for them?”
Psalm 8:4
I have read this psalm and asked this question so
many times in the past few years. More to the point,
why have I been so lucky to get to see God move so
powerfully here at the SLU Wesley? From the crazy
vision He gave us for this place three years ago, to
the radical generosity of so many folks time and
resources to bring vision to life, and to now see that
vision being fulfilled in and through the lives of the
students we see every week, it’s simply... overwhelming!
But I guess that’s who God is, right? An overwhelming,
never-ending source of grace, mercy and love. A grace that asks
nothing of us, and yet will give everything for us. A mercy that
knows no end. A love that will change us from the inside out.
That is the God who the students encounter every day here
at the SLU Wesley... He is changing them... He is changing the
campus... He is chaning me... and He is, ultimately, changing the world.
-- Sam Hubbard
This year has been unpredictable like no other year, but
I’d be lying if I said God didn’t show up. He did show
up and in big ways!! I’m always in awe of what God has
done and is continuing to do here at the SLU Wesley
Foundation. I’ll never understand how He’s moved in my
life to lead me to this amzing place where students
get to not only feel safe and like they belong,
but also experience first hand what God’s
grace and love is like.
It’s because of YOU that the students of
this community are able to explore who God has
called them to be. I am beyond blessed that my
place is here at the Wesley where I get to watch
God’s handiwork each and every day through
how He shapes the lives of our students. I’m
so thankful that I get to be a part of this ever
changing place and all of these students lives.
-- Melissa Guerra

Who We Are
We believe that God is always speaking. The question is whether we are listening!
The Wesley is a come-as-you-are, keep-it-real community commited to finding out what
it means to live like Jesus, and lead others to Jesus. There is no question that is off
limits, and you don’t have to believe in order for you to belong. We only ask that you
will see yourself as we see you... as God sees you! That you will consider that you are
a child of God and you are worthy to be loved.
LEARNING
Have you ever wondered who God is? Have you ever wondered
who you are? We believe that Jesus is what God looks like...
He lived in community with others. We believe that you are
made in Jesus’ image...it is in community where we are shaped
into that image. It’s a lifelong journey—and it all happens in
community with others. No matter where you are in that
journey, you are not alone and there is a community of folks
just for you here at the Wesley.
What would your life be like if you stepped outside the
comfort of it all to give it away to others? Believe it or not,
we’re most like Jesus when we live like that. It’s easy to get
stuck in the day-to-day rut, thinking only of what you have
to get done. That’s why we show you ways to live, love, and
serve like Jesus, purposefully reaching out to people in need.
When we do that, we look (and become) a lot like Jesus.
LEADING
LOVING
Whether you believe in God, or not. Worship is an action of us
saying with our actions “this is the most important thing righ now
in my life.” It’s not a one-time or once-a-week event that leaves
you with a fleeting, mountaintop euphoria. It’s a 24-hours-a-day,
7-days-a-week lifestyle that oozes out of your words and actions
with your friends and at home, work, and school. We provide
various ways to engage in worship.... from restful and
contemplative, to energetic and exciting.
Do you just need a really good rest? We live in a chaotic, hectic world,
and sometimes it seems there is no escape from all the noise. When
it comes to the subject of rest, it seems we may be missing the point
God encourages us to lead a life that is productive, fruitful, and
restful. We at the Wesley encourage you to rest before you work.
To be intentional about rest so that you may Listen to God’s voice
and be renewed and resfreshed in order to protect, maintain, and
strengthen whatever God has called you to be!
Living

What You’ve Done!
The Wesley exists to serve the students, faculity,
and staff of Southeastern Louisiana University
mind, body, and soul. Thank you for your continued
interest and generous support that has allowed
us to tremendously impact the community
of Southeastern Louisiana University.
9,000 meals served
850 Kairos Koffee
engagements
615 small group conversations
470 Table Talk conversations
250 student serving
engagements
660 SLU Food Pantry
engagements
45,000 digital
engagements
Covid may have slowed us down, but it did
not keep us from reaching people with the
Gospel and walking with students as it
shaped and changed them.
We currently have 4 students
discerning a call to ministry
We have 142 students engaged in one
of our smal groups and/or worship
gatherings
We currently have 12 students leaders
who engage in evangelism, teaching,
leading and serving every week

Your Graduate...
I was raised in the church at Broadmoor UMC
in Baton Rouge. As a teenager, I was part of their
youth group, however due to band and scouts I grew
distant from the group. When SLU accepted my
application, I knew I wanted to continue to grow
and expand my faith. Luckily the college had a
Wesley Foundation, so on my first day of college I walked
through a blue door that forever changed my life.
Come to find out the paint wasn’t even dry on the walls, but I didn’t
know that yet. Sam and Melissa had labored to rebuild and restart the
Wesley Foundation. I was the first student to experience the fruits of their
labor and start on the wild adventure they were still laying the foundation
for. They told me they had no life groups or events planned until a few
weeks later, but I could still come in daily and be served at free lunch. I left
that day feeling confused and stunned realizing that my desire to get back
into a religious small group would be more challenging than I thought.
Nonetheless, I kept on returning to the Wesley. I started by sitting away
from everyone and doing homework, while other students came to the
Wesley to check out the new place. During those first months, I was
growing alongside the new ministry, so I experienced all the ups and downs.
I lived my first year on campus since I didn’t want to commute the
2hr drive. Living on campus was not marvelous since my roommate and I
had issues communicating. I didn’t want to live on campus the following
semester, especially with the same roommate. In addition to campus life, my parents were getting
a divorce, which caused further burdens on my schoolwork and budget.Fortunately, the Wesley
Foundation was there to help. At the start of sophormone year, I moved into the Wesley with another
roommate I didn’t know, but this time I was gifted with the most wonderful person, Madeline.
She was the sweetest and most caring roommate I had ever had, making our time together fun.
As the years passed by, I experienced everything the Wesley had to offer. Sunday church services,
weekly small groups, serving 300 hot lunches per week, housing members of the community,
and taking care of the building. There was never a dull moment at the Wesley. Through the people I
met, I learned how to listen and approach people from different walks of life; communicate efficiently
and problem solve; embrace my feelings rather than pushing them away; time management and
takeing time out for myself, while budgeting time for others. Without the Wesley I have no idea who
I would be today. After living here for three years and being a member for four and a half, I know
what I want to continue on in life. I want to continue being part of something larger than myself, sustaining
other’s needs and desires, while growing myself to become a better walking image of God.
-- Ashley Coco

The Wesley has made me want to
continue being apart of something
bigger than myself, sustaining other’s
needs, and growing myself to becoming
a better walking image of God.
Mt the
Residents
You help house
Ashley Coco
Class of 2020,
Biology Major
Living at the Wesley means sharing laughs
and whatever crazy event that happened
during your day! It also means support
for whatever situation you go through,
and the warmth of good friendships.
Over the last two years I’ve been able
to watch my Wesley family grow in
both size and self. I’m so proud of
each of them and can’t wait to
welcome those to come!
Madeline Rey Bartels
Graduate studies,
Physicology
Caleb Theriot
Junior, Math Major
Max Cook
Senior, Kinesiology Major
The Wesley is a great support
structure for not only students but
others in the community. I’ve been
blessed for having the opportunity to
know the people here. To work and
grow alongside them has been a
wonderful experience for me.
I’m grateful to have the Wesley during
these strange times. The people here
make the bad times good and the good
times great. I’m very grateful to have
all these people during this time of my
life and I will never forget it.
To me, the Wesley is not a place... The
Wesley is an experience where coffee
meets community; community meets
grace; grace reveals love; and love is
unconditional!
Bobby Ellis
Senior, Biology Major
TiQuanna Toomer
Junior, OSHE Major
The Wesley is more than just a home,
it’s a place of elevation spiritually,
mentally, educationally and almost
any other way you can think. I’m
grateful to be a part of a community
that strives to help elevate people to
live like Jesus.
Sara Sadowsky
Junior, English Major

Lifetime Giving!
The following donors have been generous to the SLU
Wesley Foundation for many years and we thank them by
acknowledging their cumulative gifts as of Oct. 31, 2020
Black Ivory $25,000 & above
The IJN Foundation
James & Marisol Tucker
LA Annual Conference
Stephen & Lucille Tujague
Kopi Luwack $10,000 - 24,999
St. Timothy UMC
Saint Helena $4,500 - 9,999
Acadian Properties LLC
Jennifer & Revil Burke
12:15 Club
On a typical day, students gather on campus around 12pm to eat lunch, relax between
classes and seek refuge from the daily grind of college life. Every Wednesday, we
provide free lunch to any student on campus that wishes to joins us. Frequently, we use
lunch as a time to mentor and counsel students. This ministry continues to grow because
of two important contributions: prayers and financial gifts. We want to thank those
who partner with us by commiting to pray at 12:15pm each day and making a minimum
contribution of $15 a month to the ministry. With ther financial contribution, we can
continue to transform the lives of the students at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Shannon Badeaux
Revil Burke
Bryan Burns
Phillip & Julia Christian
Stephen & Rachael Creech
Nancy Durand
Ryan & Melissa Guerra
Sam Hubbard
Kenya Jackson
Savannah Jones
Sherry Jones
Charles Reynolds
Rhonda Rouyer
Laura Wellen
Grant Yenni
Andrew Zeringue
FUMC Hammond
La Conference of the UMC
Nesom Memorial UMC
St. Timothy UMC
UMW Franklinton

Anuual Giving!
Espresso Roasters $10,000 - 44,999
The IJN Foundation
LA Annual Conference
St. Timothy UMC
City Roasters $1,000 - 9,999
Charles & Jessica Cook
Wilhelmina Fulgenzi
FUMC Hammond
Wesley Chapel UMC
Northshore Community Foundation
Vienna Roasters $500 - 999
Shannon Badeaux
Judy Berey
Bryan Burns
Phillip & Julia Christian
Samuel Hubbard
Kenya Jackson
Chuck & Susan Reynolds
Rhonda Rouyer
Drew Sutton
Andrew Zeringue
FUMC Ponchatoula
Cate St. Seafood Station
Anthon Chiropractic Care
Rho Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau
University Tees
Northcross UMC
Voluntrs
The SLU Wesley Foundation would
not be able to do any of our ministry
if it weren’t for our awesome
volunteers. We’d like to thank the
following churches & organizations
for selflessly serving the students
of Southeastern Louisiana
University
Amite UMC
Faith Crossing UMC
FUMC Hammond
FUMC Ponchatoula
Huff Chapel UMC
Lee’s Landing UMC
Nesom Memorial UMC
Northcross UMC
Our Daily Bread
St. Andrews UMC
St. Timothy UMC
The Well of Life
Wesley Chapel UMC
UMW Franklinton
This year the SLU Wesley Foundation, along side various churches and organizations, has provided
$20K +9000 270
Donated for lunches
Individual lunches
served
Student volunteer
engagements

Aual Giving!
Cinnamon Roasters
$100 - 499
Matthew Alford
Sally Alverez
Jimmy Brumfield
Mercer Brumfield
Revil Burke
William Burris
Arivina Colona
Charles & Zella Cook
Kayla Coston
Stephen & Rachael Creech
Jamie Fryou
Mary Jo Greaves
Ryan & Melissa Guerra
Geoff Hingle
Brenton Jenkins
Whitney Kennedy
Wendy Lauderdale
Mollie Lynn
Donald Mohler
Todd Rossnagle
Ray & Teresa Rutland
Dot Scott
Samuel & Sheryl Stafford
David & Judy Walz
Laura Wellen
David & Deborah Wickham
Grant Yenni
St. Andrews UMC
Nesom Memorial UMC
UMW Franklinton
FUMC Amite
The Well of Life
University Montessori School
St. Timothy UMC Friendship Class
Faith Crossing UMC
Breakfast Roasters $99 - below
Dennis Charlesworth
Nancy Durand
Delaine Gendusa
Mary Gramlich
Ken Irby
Savannah Jones
Sherry Jones
Guy Lund
Isaiah Tatom
Denise Williams

Partner with us!
This ministry continues to grow because of two important contributions:
prayers and financial gifts. We ask that you consider partnering with us by
commiting to pray at 12:15pm each day and making a minimum contribution of
$15 a month to the ministry. With your financial contribution, we can continue
to transform the lives of the students at Southeastern Louisiana University. In
keeping with our theme we have created giving levelsof $15/month, $15/week
($60/month), or $15/day ($450/month). You can also choose to give whatever
amount fits into your family’s budget.
Please prayerfully consider becoming a part of the 12:15 club today to
help us reach students for tomorrow and beyond. If you are interested
in learning more about this program contact Sam Hubbard at
Sam@sluwesley.org or 985.345.6175 or visit our website.
For more ways to get connected with us visit:
www.sluwesley.org

307 W Dakota St. Hammond, La 70401 (985) 345-6175 www.sluwesley.org