The State Press has released an article about our residence hall project, you can read it here.

Faith-Based Intentional Living Community to Open in August 2011

Construction will begin soon for a "first of its kind" residence hall at Arizona State University. Located at the intersection of S Forest Ave and E University Drive, “Wesley Hall” will be one of the most conveniently located student housing options at the Tempe campus.

Upon completion, the facility will be operated by the Wesley Foundation, the campus ministry of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Rob Rynders believes that this project, “is an exciting step for our ministry, which we hope will result in a strong sense of community for ASU students who are seeking a more challenging and fulfilling college living experience. Wesley Hall will provide a safe and open environment where students will be encouraged, not only to engage in conversations about faith, but to explore ways to live it out in their communities and in the world.”

The facility is being developed in a partnership between Tempe First United Methodist Church and Newchapter. “We have spent the last two or three years developing this model of student housing and cannot imagine a better campus on which to roll it out”, says Nat Rassi, President of Newchapter. “The facility offers the perfect environment for students who love the atmosphere and energy at ASU, but who want to add spiritualexploration to their Sun Devil experience.”

The 89-bed facility, which will have 4 stories above grade plus a garden- level basement, will be open to all ASU students, including freshmen. There will be three Community Assistants and one live-in Community Director, allowing first-year students an exemption from the University's policy requiring residency in ASU housing.

Wesley Foundation member and ASU student, Cara Coleman, believes that “this residence hall is an amazing way for students to live out their faith within the ASU community. For students, this is an exciting project to be a part of and something we have been looking for.”

The Wesley Foundation is a ministry serving the students of Arizona State University. Tempe First United Methodist Church serves a diverse congregation and the Tempe community through worship, spiritual formation, and a number of outreach ministries. Newchapter finances, constructs and maintains Student Living Centers for student organizations.

If you’d like more information about this project, please visit http:// asuwesleyhall.com or to schedule an interview with Rev. Rob Rynders please contact him at rob@valleywesley.com