Religious & Spiritual Life

Columbia College has a long-standing tradition of emphasizing spiritual values as a part of the total educational experience. While affiliated with and committed to the ethics and values of The United Methodist Church, the college welcomes people of all faith traditions.

Rev. Roy Mitchell serves the college as Chaplain and Director of Church Relations. His office is found in Alumnae Hall 102. You may contact him at 803-786-3177 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Chaplain conducts the weekly chapel services, and provides pastoral care to faculty, staff, and students. In addition to providing pastoral care, the Chaplain works with student groups, faculty, and staff to develop and implement a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth and faith development. Programs strive to be creative and diverse including study experiences, faith cinema, interfaith dialogues, grief support groups, mission projects, and special lectures or workshops.

As Director of Church Relations, he serves as a bridge between Columbia College and the South Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. He promotes support for and understanding of the work of UM higher education, and more specifically, the work of Columbia College, its faculty, staff, and students. He can often be found preaching, teaching, or visiting United Methodist Churches throughout South Carolina.

While the College and the Chaplain belong to the United Methodist tradition, both respect the faith traditions of students, faculty and staff who are neither United Methodist nor Christian. Columbia College strives to be a community that respects religious diversity and difference.

What it means to be a Methodist-related institution:

Religious Life Opportunities

CC Serves – Mission and Service opportunities abound!

First Year Day of Service; T.G.I.F. Service Projects serving at such places as Harvest Hope Food Bank, The Salvation Army, The Animal Mission, The Ronald McDonald House, etc.; Adopt-a-Street; Homeworks Blitz; Habitat for Humanity; National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week; Holiday Card Drive; Fall & Spring Alternative Break Trips; and many more opportunities as well.

Chapel Services - Weekly chapel held each Wednesday at 1 p.m. in College Place United Methodist Church, is designed to "help the C2 community experience and mature in faith." It includes a variety and diversity of speakers, topics, choirs, music, etc. that reflects our diverse population while maintaining the ethics and values of Columbia College.

Faith and Service Program Requirement – Each student is required “faith and service” credits in order to graduate. There are a variety of ways in which these credits may be attained and are ample opportunities through service learning courses, community service through the college, chapels, assemblies, special lectures, religious panels, films, etc.

Clubhouse of Eau Claire - The Clubhouse of Eau Claire is a student-led after-school program that serves first through sixth graders in the surrounding Eau Claire community. The program meets next to campus in College Place United Methodist Church two to three times each week, with special programming offered on designated Saturdays. While Clubhouse is religious in nature, it also contains an academic/tutorial component. Clubhouse originated in 1998 and continues to grow and expand as it strives towards its mission to connect Columbia College, the Eau Claire community, and College Place United Methodist Church.

Free Store – A unique ministry of Columbia College offering opportunities to serve, give, and receive from our Free Store filled with clothing, bedding, bath towels, etc.

Interfaith Dinners and Fellowship – Once-a-month dinners with the Interfaith Partners of South Carolina. A great way to explore and learn about different religious traditions and make new friends in the process.

Interfaith Forum - Forums and discussions that will help teach and learn about other religious faith traditions

Music and Art in Worship -Students serve as the musicians and the worship leaders. We have a variety of choirs and music styles that play for worship including: a praise and worship band, Heavenly Creations Gospel Choir, the Columbia College Concert Choir, the CC Ensemble, the Hi-C's, the Columbia College Chorus, Kingdom Glory Praise and Worship Team and Dance Team, and special soloists. We occasionally have students or faculty from our art department as well featuring anything from charcoal to pottery.

The Oasis Prayer Room - The Oasis is an interfaith prayer room located in the basement of Wesley Hall. It is a place to rest, relax, renew, and refresh. It has a table to study, bean bag chairs, a fountain in the corner, a religious library, and more. It is available for religious student groups, or individuals for quiet reflection, prayer, and meditation.

Religion Courses – Many of our religion and LA (Liberal Arts) courses have a strong social justice component to them that reflects the ethics and values of Columbia College and The United Methodist Church. Possible course titles include: World Religions, Abrahamic Religions, History of the Christian Tradition, Theology in Literature, Terror in the Name of God, and a variety of LA 201 courses around Diversity, Gender, and Social Justice.

Social Justice Events – Social action opportunities, movies/films, special lectures, etc. run throughout each semester around issues of homelessness, poverty, HIV/AIDS, immigration, hunger, sweatshop labor, fair wage/trade, racism, etc.

Student Religious Organizations

Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM)
Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) @ USC
CRU has various bible studies throughout the week here on our campus
CC Catholics
Heavenly Creations Gospel Choir
Kingdom Glory College Ministries Bible Study (KGCM)
KGCM Dance Team – Complete Sacrifice
Presbyterian Student Association (PSA) @ USC
WomenSpace Bible Study at PSA Center @ OSU (call 803-799-0212 for a ride or more information)
Matthews' Methodist Movement (M3)