Ministry lunches delight

As another busy semester begins, some students are finding that the lunches offered by several campus ministries provide financial relief and a refreshing atmosphere.The organizations offering these lunch deals include the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and The House: University Ministries of Chattanooga. The Baptist Collegiate Ministry, located at 540 Vine St., serves lunch every Wednesday from 11a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The House provides lunch on Tuesdays from 11:30a.m. to 1p.m. at The Hub, 650 McCallie Ave.

A major draw to these ministry-sponsored lunches seems to be the low prices. Both the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and The House supply free lunch to first-time visitors. On subsequent visits, lunch generally costs about $2 per person.

Joshua Solomon, a junior from Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., said: "I'm surprised to find out that we can get lunch for such a good price. I've never been to a campus ministry lunch, but it's definitely good to know that cash-strapped college students have this option. I may have to check it out soon."

Jordan Jackson, a graduate student from Chattanooga and the coordinator of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry lunch program, said that the proceeds collected are used to fund the two mission trips that the organization takes each year.

The trips take place at the end of the fall semester and again during spring break. This fall the group plans to travel to Louisville, Ky., where they will focus on feeding and building shelters for the homeless, Jackson said.

Jackson said that the weekly lunches are about more than just providing food at a reasonable price. They offer a welcoming environment where students can feel comfortable. "It's a place where students can make friends and tell others about Jesus," Jackson said.

In addition to the low prices of these lunches, some students are also enjoying the home-style food often served by the ministries. A previous lunch the Baptist Collegiate Ministry served was crispy chicken fingers, creamy macaroni and cheese, sweet iced tea and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

Lee Adams, a sophomore from Kingsport, Tenn., said the food is surprisingly delicious and reminds him of a home-cooked meal. He also said that the friendly people encourage him to come back each week.