About ACT

ACT has always been a ministry of faith. In the early 1970’s when the ministry began, it was a step of faith that led Darrel Fyffe, a faculty member at BGSU and a group of men to move into what was mostly uncharted territory. As one of the very early Campus Ministries, there wasn’t a “how to” book available and so they stepped out in faith and launched what became a successful campus ministry in every regard.

In 1973, another step of faith was required when Bruce Montgomery was called as the first full-time Campus Minister. With virtually no funds, Bruce came on board and eventually was able to raise what was needed to be a full time staff member of a Campus Ministry.

Not very much later, Steve Schertzinger joined the team. Again, ACT stepped out in faith and believed that this was the move that God wanted them to make. And it proved to be correct. According to Douglas Dickey in his book “Campus Ministry”, those two built a campus ministry that was “one of the strongest in the nation”.

Then came the ACT ministry at the University of Toledo. Jim Nichols worked with a group of students, while he was the minister at Central Christian Church in Toledo that became the core group of the new ACT ministry at UT. ACT soon welcomed Bryan and Amber Rowoth to lead the ministry at UT. But sadly, three short years later they were tragically killed in a car accident in the summer of 1984. The Lord brought Steve and Lee North to UT. Through their ministry, the ACT ministry at UT flourished. It was under Steve’s direction, in 1991, that the students stepped out in faith and took their first trip to Haiti.

We believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe and the Giver of Life. God is an all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever present spiritual being. He is truthful, faithful, loving, good, patient, just, merciful, holy, and righteous. As Ruler of the Universe, God reigns supreme over nature, history, and human life. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Hebrews 11: 3; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 17:24-28)

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the presence of God in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit has been given to us by God as a comforter, guide, teacher, and down payment on our eternal hope. The Holy Spirit recreates men and women, empowering us to live the new life to which we have been called. His work in us produces lives characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Through His Spirit, God grants gifts and abilities to believers for the strengthening of the church. (John 14:16-17; Romans 8:9-14; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:11-13)

We believe men and women are created in the image of God and are completely dependent upon Him. The primary purpose of humanity is to glorify God and to enjoy a relationship with Him. Unfortunately, all men and women rebel against God’s standards and deserve the separation from Him that sin brings. Reconciliation with God is only available by His grace for salvation and new life. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 23; Mark 12:29-30; Romans 3:23-24)

We believe in the salvation of humanity by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. By His death and resurrection we are declared righteous in spite of our sins and reconciled to God in spite of our separation from Him. Salvation is appropriated through personal faith in Christ, which is marked by true sorrow for sins, confession of Christ as Savior, and baptism into His name. Salvation is the assurance of an eternal future with God and a meaningful life in the present. (Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:13-14; Acts 2:38-39; Romans 10:9)

We believe in the present reign of Christ in heaven and over the earth and that the kingdom of God will be made complete when Christ comes to earth again. All people will be judged by Christ. Those who belong to him will spend eternity in his presence, which is Heaven. Those apart from him will spend eternity outside of his presence, which is Hell. (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1-4)