Spiritual life

Deepen your faith

You’ll find a distinctive community of believers at Concordia University, Nebraska. Everything we do here—from academics to extracurricular activities to residence life—is focused on preparing servant leaders for the church and world. Religion courses are part of our students’ general education, and many of our students build on their education by attending chapel, which is offered daily.

While 80 percent of our students are members of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), 20 percent of them are from a variety of other denominations. You’ll be part of a welcoming Christian environment that offers a variety of ways for you to strengthen your faith.

"There is an evidence of the spirit and a desire for growth in so many people here that wasn't at other campuses I visited. The atmosphere is very opportune for spiritual growth. Almost every night of the week, there is a devotional event for spiritual growth."
-- Molly Fischer, Lincoln, Neb.

Spiritual life opportunities at Concordia

Discuss your faith journey with our campus pastor and through Christian outreach gatherings.

Praise God through a variety of on-campus worship opportunities such as evening chapel, daily prayers, a Wednesday music service and special events, as well as off-campus worship services.

Join your friends for Bible study meetings and at spiritual events sponsored by campus groups.

Devotional resources

Portals of Prayer
Concordia Publishing House, CPH.org
Daily Devotion from A year in the Word
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, LCMS.org
Daily Devotions Lutheran Hour Ministries, LHM.org

Campus pastor begins ministry at Concordia

Concordia welcomed its new campus pastor, Rev. Ryan Matthias, in July 2008.

"I am excited to be here," said Matthias. "I love people, and I love the vigor of people when they hear and understand faith. It is great to be a part of that."

Matthias comes to Seward from Davenport, Iowa, where he was associate pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church. He has additional experience as a youth worker and a counselor in a youth group home. He earned his Master of Divinity at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., and his undergraduate degree at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa.

"He loves students, creatively presents the Gospel and engages students as they experience challenges, joys, failures and frustrations," said Rev. Brian Friedrich, president of Concordia.

Matthias knows that much of his time will be spent experiencing life with the students and discussing everything from their spiritual walk to a new relationship.

"I see this as a place where I get to be involved in the lives of hundreds of missionaries since each of these students will take what they learn here out into the world. I want this to be a place where they learn about Christ and how to live out Christ."

Matthias is married to Sarah, and they have two children, Samuel and Sophia.