Calvary Memorial Student Ministries

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312 Student Ministries was born out of a desire to do something different. To do something beyond the confines of the rural American church definition of “youth group.” Simply put, 312 was born out of a desire to do.

It started as a desire of the Senior and Associate Pastors of Calvary Memorial Church, Gary Hashley and Phil Ransom, who had a heart and a vision to see a program for the students of the church that was growing, vibrant, and Christ-focused. At the time, the youth group was being led by dedicated, hard-working volunteer families in the church with huge hearts for the youth as well, but who had families and jobs of their own. It was at this time that Joe Patterson, a senior at Frontier School of the Bible, was drawn to Calvary through serving on the worship team under Phil and attending church. He began to get to know the youth and began to teach a Junior High Sunday School class. Through conversations with Gary, Phil, and the pull of the Holy Spirit on his heart, Joe made the decision to intern at Calvary, and the spark for 312 Student Ministries was ignited. Joe is now the Pastor of Student Ministries at Calvary, serves the church full-time, is married, and lives in Gering.

The name came about through a question Joe was asked by Phil, “If you could instill one thing in your students during their time in your ministry, what would it be?” What came immediately to Joe’s mind was the C.S. Lewis quote, “Aim at heaven, and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth, and you will get nothing.” He prayed and the Lord moved his heart to Colossians 3:1-2, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” This broadened through thought and prayer into the purpose and philosophy behind 312 Student Ministries: to show students, whatever their age, that the things of this world have no eternal value, and that a relationship with Christ is the only thing of true worth, in this life and in eternity.