Student Care Groups

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:15–16; NIV).

Minister Hsu / Student Care and Counseling Specialist, Student Services

The year 2021 was not only widely described as the beginning of the metaverse era; it also marked an important step in online student care at Logos Evangelical Seminary. Beginning in fall 2021, Student Services launched online care groups for all enrolled students, both full-time and part-time, at the main campus and Midwest Ministry Center. These virtual gatherings were designed to help online students build stronger connections with the seminary.

The first online student care groups officially began in fall 2021, involving 218 students across 17 groups. Six groups served full-time and new students, while the other 11 served part-time students. Students were generally grouped by academic program. Sixteen care mentors led the groups, with approximately 10–14 students in each. By the end of the semester, nearly half of the students had participated in group activities on average.

Student Services provided discussion guidelines for six group meetings:

Meeting 1: Get acquainted, share expectations for the group, and establish group communication channels.

Meeting 2: Share academic expectations and challenges, and pray for one another.

Meeting 3: Discuss spiritual disciplines and challenges, and pray for one another.

Meeting 4: Share personal-life concerns, needs, and expectations, and pray for one another.

Meeting 5: Discuss ministry experiences and challenges, and pray for one another.

Meeting 6: Offer feedback, complete the self-assessment survey, and bless one another.

Each care group meeting was scheduled to last one hour, while individual groups were free to arrange their own meeting times.

At the end of the semester, Student Services conducted a care-group survey. Of the 100 students who responded, 89% were satisfied with their experience. Some students regretted being unable to attend because coordinating across time zones was difficult. Others felt that one hour was too short, especially in larger groups where sharing and prayer could feel rushed. Most respondents expressed deep appreciation for their mentors’ commitment and care. They valued meeting more classmates, experiencing sincerity and warmth, and developing a stronger sense of belonging. Students also benefited from mutual encouragement and sharing with mentors and peers. In particular, the groups offered empathy and support during academic pressures and ministry challenges, providing new perspectives on the practical work of serving others.

Below are some positive comments from group members:

Feedback on Care Mentors

• Teacher Luo led with gentleness and patience, thoughtfully responding to students’ sharing. We had meaningful conversations and prayed deeply for one another.
• Teacher Xiaohua provided a topic before every meeting so we could reflect in advance, making our discussions both focused and meaningful.
• Teacher Peng truly cares about students and has given us considerable encouragement and support.
• Teacher Lin encouraged excellent interaction, genuine sharing, and participation from everyone.
• Minister Wang asked excellent discussion questions that helped us speak openly, get to know one another, and care for one another. Every meeting was enjoyable.
• Teacher Chen showed genuine love and concern. Everyone could share openly and deeply, encourage one another, and listen in Christ’s love. Our fellowship was wonderful.

Feedback on the Group Experience

• As an online student, this is a valuable way for me to get to know classmates and faculty better.
• Online classes can make it hard to feel connected to the school. These groups have helped me feel more included.
• Through conversation we came to know each other better, cared for one another, encouraged love, and shared and carried life’s burdens together.
• I experienced mutual care among group members and gained fresh ideas for serving in my church.
• The teacher was gentle and sincere, the group leader was diligent and responsible, and the students’ sharing was excellent. We encouraged and cared for one another.
• The teacher shared many valuable experiences, and students encouraged one another. We also reflected meaningfully on the Wednesday morning message.
• The questions and responses between teachers and students brought many spiritual insights.
• The teacher cared about each student’s circumstances and needs and prayed for every student.
• The teacher was wonderful, everyone spoke from the heart, and the group atmosphere was great! We even planned to visit the teacher’s home in January!
• I received a great deal of encouragement and support from my teacher through the group.
• Our minister cared for us in love, while students shared honestly. We walked and served together in the Spirit, encouraging one another in our studies.
• Time for fellowship with teachers and classmates helped us build relationships as members of Christ’s body. We could talk about daily life, pray for one another, and offer mutual care and support.
• Everyone shared sincerely and enthusiastically. Even though we lived far apart, we got to know one another quickly.
• Every gathering included meaningful sharing and communication. We encouraged one another and grew together.
• I am very satisfied. Unlike previous groups I have joined, this one brought together classmates in the same academic program. That made it easier to discuss course-related challenges in greater depth. We also learned more about one another’s church ministries and the issues we need to consider.

Overall, the fall 2021 care groups represented an excellent beginning. Despite demanding teaching and student-service responsibilities, the 16 care mentors devoted themselves to making God’s love tangible through group activities. Students were equipped not only with knowledge but also through practical experiences of love and faith under their mentors’ guidance.

Care groups resumed in spring 2022. To address scheduling difficulties across time zones, Student Services reorganized groups according to similar time zones and reduced the number of meetings to five to ease the mentors’ workload. The seminary also arranged a schoolwide seminar on pastoral care to better equip faculty and students for ministries of care.

Three Long-Term Goals of the Care Groups

1. Among students: Through sharing and interaction, students can grow spiritually, look after one another, inspire love, and share life’s challenges.

2. Between spiritual mentors and students: Group interaction allows students to receive guidance and support from mentors in their studies, daily lives, and ministries.

3. Between the seminary and students: Care-group activities foster a stronger sense of belonging and deeper connections with the seminary.

We hope every student will treasure these opportunities during the new semester in 2022 and participate actively in their care group. As members of the LOGOS family, may we receive a solid foundation in theological reflection, biblical study, and the practice of faith as we journey together in Christ.