Vanguard University of Southern California

Who is my neighbor?


"Go into all the world and preach the good news to every creature."
 -Mark 16:15


city serve.jpgLocal ministry Opportunities

You say you want to get involved, grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus Christ, and serve others? You’ve come to the right place!!  Take a look at the current ministries available on campus and the upcoming missions trips.  Use your talents, passions, and gifts that the Lord has blessed you with to give back, reach out, and bless others.

 

 

Ongoing Weekly Local Ministry Opportunities

  • Best Buddies
    Best Buddies  is an organization that connects a Vanguard student with a community member with developmental disabilities.  VU students contact their buddy once a week through email, a phone call, a letter, or in person.  The students and buddies are able to participate in larger events with other buddies in Costa Mesa once a month.  Not only is this ministry for the buddy, but for their families as well, showing that other people in the community can care for and befriend their family member with developmental disabilities. Find out more! 
  • Habitat for Humanity
    Vanguard's Campus Chapter works with Habitat for Humanity to end substandard housing, specifically in Orange County.  There are numerous ways to get involved, including working on building homes, fundraising, volunteering in the office, working at the ReStore, and being on the leadership team of VU's Campus Chapter.  Learn more about Habitat for Humanity and work with other students, staff and faculty in making dreams come true. Find out more!
  • House of Hope
    Vanguard students visit the House of Hope, a  women's shelter in Orange County, once a week.  Students often cook, play with the children, and befriend the women who are in the process of rebuilding their lives from domestic violence, substance abuse, financial issues and other life problems.   The relationships that have been formed between some of the women and Vanguard students have been amazing to watch.  This is not just a ministry for women....men are needed too!!  It is an awesome opportunity to show these misplaced women and children that there are godly men in the world who are respectful, supportive, and know the value that people have.  Find out more! 
  • Juvenile Hall
    The Juvenile Hall ministry is composed of a group of students who share God's love with the teenage inmates of Riverside Juvenile Hall. This team ministers every Tuesday night through services that include sharing the Word, worship, and small group prayer. Help is needed to preach, lead small group Bible studies, lead worship, or just to pray and befriend these troubled youth.  Learn more!
  • Westside Arts Program
    Vanguard students partner with a local community development corporation, MIKA, in helping youth in Westside Costa Mesa discover the artist that God has created them to be.  VU students and faculty teach and assist in dancing, performing arts, culinary arts, visual arts, and more.  Through the arts, the youth are able to see that they are precious and valuable works of art that the Lord Himself created.
  • The Sheepfold
    The Sheepfold is a group of shelters for battered and homeless women and their children. The Vanguard team helps assist the organization with their weekly Sheepfold Nights. These nights help serve dinner with the families, do crafts and play with the children and build community with the people! What a fun-filled night to show God's love to women and children. Find out more!
  • New Ministries
    Do you have an interest in doing something that is not listed? Stop by the Outreach Ministries Department; we will help you start something new! We are here to support you in your visions and dreams. Or contact localoutreach@vanguard.edu

Annual Local Ministry Opportunities

  • Children's Christmas Party

    The Children's Christmas Party reaches out to 300-400 kids from Westside Learning Centers throughout Costa Mesa and the surrounding cities to celebrate Christmas.  The party will include crafts, jumpers, games, free lunch and a special visit from Santa Claus, Vanguard University’s very own Faculty Dr. Marty Harris.  The event will conclude with a children’s program presenting the Christmas Story and providing each child with a Christmas gift. The event is sponsored by Vanguard University and The Crossing and will be hosted at The Crossing church on Saturday, December 9th 11am -1:00pm. Students, faculty and staff are what make this event happen through serving at the party itself and donating gifts so that each child who attends does not leave without a present.  Find Out More!  Questions?  Please  contact localoutreach@vanguard.edu 

  • City Serve
    City Serve is an event started in 2004 which links Vanguard to the rest of our community, including schools, Police Department, City Hall, and local churches through acts of service.  This year we had over 400 students, faculty, and staff participate in projects such as soccer ministries, home restoration projects, beach clean ups, and more on one Saturday.  The day ends with a city wide block party open to our whole community in which there are games, live music, free food and fellowship.  It is an event which allows our community to see first hand the love that VU has for our neighbors and see the body of Christ work together.  Find out more! 

  • San Francisco Outreach (SFO)
    Vanguard students have an opportunity to spend their spring break serving in the heart of San Francisco.  This team connects with YWAM and other inner city ministries in the "tenderloin" district to reach out to the runaway teens, drug addicts, transvestites, homosexuals and homeless.  The opportunities with this powerful outreach are endless, and so is the need for volunteers. Find out more!