Many students at NIU might see the search for spiritual guidance as something to dread and not worth participating in because of the large number of ministries on campus.

The Rev. Steve Knox of the Newman Catholic Center, president of the Campus Ministries Association thinks that having some type of spiritual outlet is important.

“When students leave home for the first time, it is an opportunity to find their own identity outside from under their parents wings,” Knox said. “This makes the college years a great time to seek out their own, personal beliefs and make a spiritual connection on their own.”

Although students might practice a particular denomination before coming to NIU, sticking with that denomination is not completely necessary.

Dawn Jones, director of educational ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 Annie Glidden Road, agrees with this sentiment.

“In the time that I have worked at NIU, I can say that there are many more similarities than differences among the ministries on campus due to the great working relationship between the different denominations,” Jones said.

Katie Roumi, a sophomore pre-sociology major, is an active member at the Newman Catholic Center.

“There are a lot of activities to get involved in at the Newman Center and people get a chance to meet new people and form some good relationships”, Roumi said.

Mark Cole, pastor at Lutheran Campus Ministries, 1951 N. 1st St., has some solid advice for students when looking for a religious organization to attend.

“Students should look for a ministry where the people there are honest and welcoming,” Cole said. “The goal of a good ministry should be to let students know that God loves them and that they are capable of great things.”

However, there are some warnings that students should heed.

“Students should be wary of and try to avoid religious organizations in where the students feel that they are being manipulated in any way,” Cole said.