The Need
Currently, there is a chasm. On one side is the overlooked University Leaders and Staff and on the other side is the Christian body. This leaves many of these leaders and staff members under-served, under-resourced, and without a shepherding presence.
Collegiate Abbey develops bridges of trust and relationship with University Leadership. We seek to create environments of grace and peace that help to care for leaders and serve them through the gospel of Christ.
Carrying out our mission...
Collegiate Abbey has been serving University Leadership since 2017. During that time we have been honored to see God open doors and create many opportunities to help serve and meet the needs of the campus. Our vision is to see the University in Shalom. Where the peace of God rest on it's people and in our community, and everything is as it should be.
Listen
Recently, we have been hearing from staff in various departments about the needs that they are facing, and they see others facing. Our prayer is that by listening to our community and to God, He will help us continue to serve strategically and effectively. For example, our university has over 12,000+ staff. One of the biggest needs we see is for community and for people to feel seen and cared for.
Partner & Serve
We partner with departments, ministries, and individuals to help God's kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. An example of this is partnering with the Facilities Department to address food insecurities families face during the Christmas break.
We serve the campus by being present and helping to create resources that are lacking. For example, we created a pocket prayer book series to help people process through hard times.
Shepherd
Our culture is shifting rapidly, and we are facing new challenges and trials. God is using Collegiate Abbey to help our community walk through hard and challenging times.
Meet our staff
Britton Sharp
Founder & Director of Collegiate Abbey
Britton is a UT Alum and a native of Knoxville. He has been in ministry for over 27 years. He served with Cru (Campus Crusade) serving at Marshall University, in Kosice Slovakia, and at UT Knoxville. He started Collegiate Abbey nine years ago after seeing the need for a ministry focused on the full scope of University staff and administration. When not serving at UT, you can probably find him teaching an art class or in his garden. He and Brooks have been married for almost 20 years and have three amazing children.
Brooks Sharp
Women's Director
Brooks is a proud Clemson grad and is from the Upstate of South Carolina. Previously, she served as the Women’s Director for Cru at the University of Tennessee. She has served overseas in Sweden and Slovakia. She loves having deep conversations over a good cup of coffee. When not meeting with folks, she loves capturing the beauty of the moment through photography and loving on her three kids.
Steve Moldrup
Director
Steve has been in ministry for over four decades. He served with Young Life and on staff with Cedar Springs before joining staff with Collegiate Abbey. Steve loves people and serving people. He is a proud grandfather and will happily show you pictures. Steve now serves as the chaplain for Barnhart Energy while also being our ministry ninja on call for Collegiate Abbey.
Kelsey McCammon
Administrator
Kelsey has served as an administrator for several years for various nonprofit organizations and churches. She has been a Godsend for us and a huge answer to prayer. When not keeping us in line, she will probably be recharging by reading a good book or catching a Broadway show. She is married to Isaac, and she has two beautiful daughters.
