Most Sinclair students, staff, and faculty, have met Chaplain Larry Lindstrom either in a class where he comes in and introduces himself or just seeing him in the halls. Chaplain Lindstrom also works at the Multifaith Campus Ministry itself.
The Multifaith Campus Ministry started at Sinclair in 1968, even before Sinclair had its own building. This was when Sinclair first started as a community college inside of the YMCA. At that point in time, it was Christian-based with one Catholic priest and one Protestant pastor. Sinclair knew that having a faith-based area was important because it is one of the five keys of growth for humanity. While it did not begin as a Multifaith Ministry, that was the dream that Reverend Doctor Barbara Battin had about ten-years-ago. Sinclair officially made it the Multifaith Campus Ministry in 2018.
Chaplain Lindstrom has been at Sinclair’s Multifaith Campus Ministry since July of 2016. He was raised and ordained in the Lutheran faith.
“I always tell the classes I visit to think of me as a military chaplain as I am here to serve no matter their beliefs,” said Chaplain Lindstrom. “If I do not understand their religion, I ask them to explain it to me to give myself a sense of their religion. I am not asking in order to prove them wrong just to understand more of it.”
Chaplain Lindstrom may even ask what books or items may benefit them to have in the Multifaith Campus Ministry. He may also reach out to his colleagues and friends in the religious studies department if someone needs further assistance.
The Multifaith Campus Ministry usually conducts at least one event each month. Thursday, Sept. 23, will be their program on Peacemaking to recognize the International Day of Peace, which is on Sept. 21. They are also hopeful that the Faith Fair will be in person in the spring; the Faith Fair is the Multifaith Campus Ministry’s big event where they invite many different religions to join us here at Sinclair and talk about their different beliefs with students.
“This is one of my favorite events. After one of them a few years back we all joined together in the cafeteria to enjoy a meal together. I wasn’t sure how well it was going to go since we were all from different religions. It went really well, and everyone was asking each other questions about their religions,” said Chaplain Lindstrom.
Chaplain Lindstrom is currently looking for student staff in order to keep Peace Place open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. This is an important part of our community here at Sinclair as there are students that would like to have a quiet place to pray. Contact Chaplain Lindstrom at larry.lindstrom@sinclair.edu if interested and would like to apply for a position.
Sara Collins
Reporter