Breakaway Ministries
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Breakaway Ministries is a interdenominational college ministry program located on the Texas A&M University campus. Founded in 1989, Breakaway seeks to provide ways for college students to know and have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Initially a small group, Breakaway has expanded to attendance numbering in the thousands and has been described as "the largest college Bible study in the nation."[1]
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[edit] History and ministry
Breakaway was started in 1989 by 12 Aggie undergraduates as a weekly Bible study. [2] The original organizer of the ministry, Gregg Matte, was the founder and director of Breakaway Ministries for fifteen years before leaving the post in 2004 for a pastorship at a Houston church. Matte remains a member of the board of directors for Breakaway Ministries.[1] Breakaway's signature Bible study was originally located in the College Station Conference Center, but quickly outgrew the facility with its sheer number of attendees and the location switched several times throughout the years. Since then, its membership has grown swiftly, with a weekly attendance placed at over 5,000 students. Each Tuesday evening during the school year, students gather at Reed Arena for a two hour session of contemporary worship music and a talk given by a ministry leader. The usual speaker for Breakaway is currently Ben Stuart.[3] Past artists that have led worship include Chris Tomlin, Shane and Shane, The Smith Band, and Ross King,[1] of whom Tomlin, Shane Bernard, and Shane Everett were members of Breakaway during their time at A&M.[4] [5] Breakaway Ministries has released a 12-track Christian worship album called "The Spirit Moves" featuring a six-member worship team with Ross King and John Sherrill as lead vocalists.[2] Breakaway also features a podcast [6] and a live streaming feed from Reed Arena during the actual weekly event.[7]
In the 1999 bonfire collapse at A&M, Breakaway Ministries helped some students cope with the tragedy and loss that the campus suffered when twelve students were killed in the accident.[8] [9]
Breakaway resumed (after the summer break) in the fall semester on August 28, 2007 and is currently holding its weekly meetings.[7]
[edit] Mission Statement
Breakaway Ministries is a non-denominational, weekly Bible study at Texas A&M University. Our mission is to give students an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ and grow in a relationship with Him. This is accomplished through praise and worship, hearing God's word, and Christian fellowship. While not affiliated with any one church, we encourage students' involvement in local Bible-believing churches and we desire to cooperate with these churches in ministry.
—Breakaway Ministries' description, http://breakawayministries.org/j/content/view/16/68/
[edit] Board of Directors
- Brett Wingo, also staff on Young Life's Frontier Ranch and founder
- Gregg Matte, Pastor at Houston's First Baptist Church and founder
- Dr. Steve McDaniel, marketing professor at Texas A&M University
- Cathy Jackson, homemaker
- Dr. Jim Giles, orthopedic surgeon
- Dr. Ken Werlein, pastor at Faithbridge United Methodist Church in Spring, Texas[10]
[edit] Notes and References
- ^ a b c Matte Leaves A Lasting Impression on Texas A&M (HTML). Texas A&M Battalion. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
- ^ a b Recent Page 5 (HTML). GoldRecordsUSA. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
- ^ Breakaway Ministries - Ben Stuart (HTML). Breakaway Ministries. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
- ^ Billboard.com - Biography - Chris Tomlin (HTML). Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
- ^ Profile - Shane Barnard (HTML). www.christianbook.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
- ^ Breakaway Ministries (sidebar box displays subscription link to podcast) (HTML). Breakaway Ministries. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
- ^ a b Breakaway Ministries - Watch Now! (live feed available when Breakaway is in session in fall and spring semesters) (HTML). Breakaway Ministries. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
- ^ Bonfire Tragedy (HTML). The Bryan-College Station Eagle. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
- ^ "When Bad Things Happen" (HTML). David Hopkins on www.next-wave.org. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
- ^ Breakaway Ministries- Board of Directors (HTML). Breakaway Ministries. Retrieved on 2007-08-14. All information on members of board of directors obtained here.
