Christian life at SMU

Christian student organizations offer opportunities for worship, Bible study, discipleship, spiritual formation, service, and social activities that deepen faith and connect students with a community of love and compassion.  In addition, the Center for Faith and Learning offers scholars cohorts and symposium that integrate intellectual life and spiritual life.

Many students within the SMU community have rich spiritual and religious lives. The Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life on campus seeks to create an inclusive community for those of all religious backgrounds through spiritual mentorship as well as programming for events and religious holidays. SMU honors religious belief and practice through its religious observance policy for students, including accommodations for Christian holiday observances and consideration of these holidays when planning major University events.

Yes, many of the Christian student organizations on campus offer regular Bible studies as well as spiritual discussion groups for undergraduates.

Associate Chaplain Kaleb Loomis offers group and individual spiritual direction and all of SMU’s chaplains and Christian campus ministers are available for one-on-one discipleship and spiritual reflection.

Yes, We currently have 22 Christian-specific groups. Students are also fully supported in their spiritual life by the Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life, led by Reverend Lisa Garvin. Each Residential Commons has an assigned spiritual life mentor to offer a listening ear for students and support the holistic wellness of our community by offering opportunities for students to explore their faith and religious life.

Methodism’s founders were serious about joining together “knowledge and vital piety.”  Integrating intellectual life and spiritual life is central to religious life across the Hilltop.  The Center for Faith and Learning offers scholars cohorts for Christian students eager to think deeply about how to integrate their faith and their academic work.

Students looking for academic explorations of religion can take coursework and even have the opportunity to major or minor in religious studies.

Many of the Christian student organizations on campus organize service and outreach work for local communities, as well as mission trips. We encourage you to reach out to the group you are interested in and explore their websites and social media to learn more about their service initiatives.

Students are supported in their faith journey by the Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life, led by Reverend Lisa Garvin. OCRL offers holiday gatherings, Christian devotional guides, an Ash Wednesday worship service, and connects students with local churches and campus ministry organizations.  In addition, university chaplains offer one-on-one pastoral counseling as well as group spiritual direction. Perkins School of Theology offers twice weekly worship services in Perkins Chapel that are open to the University community.

The University’s chapel, Perkins Chapel, is located on Bishop Boulevard and is open daily. The Habito Prayer Labyrinth is located at Perkins School of Theology in the courtyard between Selecman and Prothro Halls. A number of multireligious prayer spaces are available across campus, including in Kathy Crow Commons, Cox School of Business and Frances Anne Moody Hall, and more will be available soon. The Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park at the George W. Bush Presidential Center is also a lovely meditative space on campus.