West Liberty Student Ministries earns honor


By WVUMC News

By Rev. S. Scott Mapes
Northern District Communications Coordinator

The Northern District has a lot of pride in the work that Rev. Debra Dague does with the students at West Liberty University. As of June 29, 2019, there is at least one more reason for that pride. 

West Liberty University Fusion members Larrin Shriver, Jenna Gault, and Allyssa Bush with the Kappa Phi LeSourd Cup.

The WLU chapter of Kappa Phi was awarded the organization’s prestigious LeSourd Cup at its recent national conference. The Kappa Phi chapter at WLU is part of the Fusion Campus Ministry where Rev. Dague serves as campus pastor.

The LeSourd Cup, named for Mrs. H.M. LeSourd, was first presented in 1925 and is awarded annually, according to Rev. Dague, “to the chapter that has demonstrated the most improvement, particularly in the areas of spiritual growth and development.”

In achieving this honor, Fusion Campus Ministry averaged attendance of 25 in its campus and community Sunday worship, 52 in Wednesday campus meet-and-greet home-cooked lunches, 44 in “College Life” gatherings of Christian organizations, and 17 in community-wide Bible studies. Fusion’s largest special event in 2018-19 was the WLU First Week “Ice Cream Social” attended by 160 people.

In addition to its programming to develop faith and discipleship, Rev. Dague noted, Fusion added 16 members this year and sponsored the only Suicide Prevention walk on a college campus in the state of West Virginia, raising more than $3,600. The ministry also raised $1,100 to support a program helping women to receive free mammograms.

Kappa Phi is a nationwide interdenominational Christian organization for University women. Its core values are service, worship, fellowship, and study.