CSU Students Gather for Church Every Sunday Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic

Most CSU college students wouldn’t consider themselves regular church goers. However, every Sunday at the Ascent Project Church college students and young people gather to worship in a non-traditional way. On February 28th, a plethora of young adults drove about 20 minutes off campus to attend in person church together.

The church had an optimistic and enthusiastic aura as college students of all backgrounds piled into the pews and took their socially distanced seats. The band on stage rocked out to some christian songs that everyone seemed to know the words to.

The Ascent Project is not the typical family church you probably attended growing up. It all started with a group of Colorado Natives who were passionate about God and making worship music. Josh Micginely, one of the group's leaders explained that they didn’t want to just create a church for young people but to change lives and start a movement.

“When we released our first worship album we were still uncertain of exactly what the lord was creating, but we knew it was a grassroots, local movement that was more than just a band and songs,” Micginely said.

The Ascent Project formed in 2016 and was in full force until the shutdown caused the church to go online. In August the church returned to in person gatherings, but was forced to move off campus due to CSU’s coronavirus guidelines.

Jacqueline Van Liefde, a student athlete at CSU attended the Ascent Project’s service on Sunday, like she does most Sundays. “It feels so good to be back in church and with this community,” Van Liefde said. “The pandemic has been tough but it’s really made me appreciate the consistency of god when everything else seems so uncertain.”

Alyssa Bert, a college student at CSU said she also missed going to in person church but wouldn’t say it should be considered essential. “I do not think church should be essential because it is just a building,” Bert Said. “God is doing the work in people , not the pastors.”

Even with social distancing and mask wearing, all of the Ascent Project members can feel the strong sense of community.

The Ascent Project hosts a service for young adults every Sunday at the Southgate Church off of College Ave. They also offer online events and small group meetings on their website.

Photo of Ciera Pritchard, Jaqui Van Liefde, and Alyssa Bert enjoying an Ascent Project service