NUrturing Faith

Sharing Stories from LCMNU

April 2025

The Gifts of the Ministry

Dave Kosnik (BS ’03, MA ’08, PhD ’12) found University Lutheran Church (now known as Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northwestern University) sometime in 2000 when he started his education at Northwestern. What brought him to the ministry was its location at 2204 Orrington Avenue near his classes on campus; his involvement began with Sunday worship and brunch but expanded to religious education, social programs, and volunteering with ULC friends in some community programs.

Becoming a volunteer in charitable organizations in Evanston and Chicago was life-changing for Dave. Continuing this volunteer work and adding involvement in Habitat Restoration in the Cook County forest preserves is still important to him as work and family responsibilities permit. He believes that these volunteer opportunities are what drew both Lutheran students and their student friends to the ministry, where they were quietly “ministered to” by Pastor Lloyd and his wife Janet Kittlaus as they participated.

Dave also learned and was mentored in leadership in the church, both by the pastor and other student leaders. At one point in his 12 years with the ministry, he served as council president and developed the life-long talent of leading a meeting. He also said he gained “Discernment” from the ministry when he was encouraged to try things and either keep or quit them as circumstances and needs evolved. He explained, “liturgy can change in response to time and place, but the core tenets of word and sacrament remain the same.” He believes that excessive adherence to rituals for their own sake can become idolatrous, so he learned to appreciate liturgical settings that he really didn’t personally like. The important thing is not “thee’s and thou’s” versus modern usage, or a particular musical setting, but bringing the Gospel to a community in a particular time and place.

The lasting gift he received from his involvement at LCMNU was meeting and later marrying his wife Lisa. He is very adamant in stating that LCMNU is NOT the “Lutheran Dating Service, ” but is nevertheless thankful that it was the catalyst for his future life as husband and father to two wonderful daughters.

As for the future of this campus ministry, he sees two key components. Location, location, location—keep the center at 2204 Orrington Avenue. He also hopes that the ministry will keep its diversity of students from different backgrounds, cultures, and academic majors who only have “Faith” as their common bond.