ST. PAUL, Minn., August 15, 2024 – University of Northwestern – St. Paul (UNW) announces the appointment of Christopher Asmus as this year’s Campus Pastor. With a deep commitment to fostering spiritual growth and community, Pastor Asmus brings a wealth of experience and a heartfelt vision for the spiritual life of Northwestern students.
Vice President for Student Experience, Bret Hyder, shared his excitement, stating, “We are thrilled about this new role and the positive impact it will have on our students as they seek deep spiritual growth, opportunities to explore challenging topics, and an engaging chapel experience.” This vision for chapel is part of the university’s strategic plan to further enrich the collective chapel environment, ensuring it continues to reflect and support their mission of providing a transformative, Christ-centered experience for every student.
Christopher Asmus’ journey with UNW began in 2011 when he arrived as a new believer. Reflecting on his transformative experiences, Asmus stated, “I experienced firsthand what chapel can be: a window-rattling, earth-shattering, life-altering encounter with the living God.” After completing his Master of Divinity (M.Div) at Northwestern in 2015, Asmus served as a worship pastor in Woodland Park, CO, and later planted Vertical Church in St. Paul, MN, which has grown to around 800 members, primarily ministering to college students and young adults.
Pastor Asmus is driven by a profound belief in the potential of the current generation. “God has done amazing things in generations past, but I don’t believe God’s best days are in the rearview mirror,” he shared. “As I read my Bible, I see that God’s greatest acts of power and glory are still in front of us, which means this generation, college students today, are God’s sovereign strategy for His next great move. I want to play my part in rallying around them and running with them to take as much gospel ground for Jesus as we can.”
Looking ahead to the new school year, Pastor Asmus is eager to launch his first chapel series, “UNWavering Grace.” He draws inspiration from church history, citing D.A. Carson’s observation that “one generation believes the gospel, the next assumes it, and the third forgets and denies it.” Asmus’ goal is to ensure that the gospel remains at the forefront of Northwestern’s spiritual life. “By God’s grace, UNW will not forget or deny the gospel; nor will we assume it. This fall, through the Book of Galatians, we are going to go back to what every generation must go back to – the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Outside of his pastoral duties, Christopher Asmus is a dedicated family man. He cherishes time with his wife, Alexandria, and their three children: Haddon (8), McRae (6), and Afton (4). Asmus is also an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings, enjoys good music, great coffee, sushi, long runs, and short books.
For more information on Spiritual Development, reach out to Bret Hyder, Vice President for Student Experience, at [email protected].
###
University of Northwestern – St. Paul (UNW) is a nondenominational, Christian university in St. Paul, Minn. With a biblical worldview integrated into all programs, UNW provides a unique educational experience for students who want to combine faith and education. Northwestern offers more than 65 areas of study, including seven master’s degrees, and online and early college programs. Northwestern Media, a ministry of the university, owns and operates 29 Christian radio stations throughout the Midwest with a total listenership of more than 2 million listeners. Visit unwsp.edu for more information.
