Serving as a United Methodist campus minister, primarily on campuses in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, has been one of my greatest privileges. Spiritually leading college-aged young adults and making space for them in the Church remains a primary motivation for my work. Over the last two decades, I’ve had the honor of building a multi-campus ministry from the ground up, creating communities that have served hundreds of students and helped many discern their calls to vocational ministry.

But here’s what I’ve learned: the world has changed, and so must campus ministry.

My calling is evolving, not ending. The transition from CCW and in-person campus ministry allows me to lean more fully into the work that has been emerging over the last few years through Studio Wesley. I believe that serving students in the digital space is the beginning of a new vision for campus ministry. Additionally, I feel called to give more attention to preparing the Church to receive the next generation of leaders—working for institutional transformation while remaining deeply connected to next-generation ministry. 

So what does all of this mean?

Campus to City Wesley will take a pause into the next semester as the Board of Directors along with the North East District Superintendent and District Leadership Team discern next steps and opportunities for ministry to college students in Northeast Florida. Our campuses continue to need a United Methodist witness. I am cheering for them and invite you to join me in praying for the work that is before them.

I’ll keep working with the Texas Methodist Foundation and Wesleyan Impact Partners, leading the Phygital Fellows Project—a Lilly-funded initiative exploring preaching at the intersection of physical and digital contexts—as well as supporting other projects with the Learning and Innovation Team. I’ll remain in my volunteer role as Co-Conference Lay Leader for the Florida Conference of the UMC and continue serving in various denominational leadership roles. And I remain committed to serving at my local congregation, San Marco UMC. I’m also open to other side hustles and part-time opportunities for congregations and religious organizations, trusting that God will work out all the details as I navigate this transition.

All of that said, I’ll be investing significant time and energy into Studio Wesley as we launch into a new season. We’ve learned a lot over the last few years about what it means to do campus ministry in this moment, and I’m looking forward to sharing many of those learnings in the new year. We’re pursuing a new vision for campus ministry, and we’re going to need partners to join us on the journey. I invite you to check out our latest update on the Studio Wesley Journey and consider joining us.

Just as the changing seasons remind us that endings make way for new beginnings, may we trust in God who is always doing a new thing among us. I’m grateful for everyone who has been part of this chapter—your prayers, support, and partnership have meant more than you know. I’m excited to see where this path leads, and I’d be honored to have you walk alongside me into whatever comes next. If you have questions or want to connect as I close this chapter and step into the new one, please reach out.

For the sake of the world,
Derrick