- Breakaway Ministries
Breakaway Ministries is a
interdenominational college ministry program located on theTexas A&M University campus. 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."cite web | url = http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2004/04/27/Opinion/Matte.Leaves.A.Lasting.Impression.On.Texas.Am-672072.shtml | title = Matte Leaves A Lasting Impression on Texas A&M | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date= | format=HTML | publisher = Texas A&M "Battalion"]History and ministry
Breakaway was started in
1989 by 12 Aggie undergraduates as a weeklyBible study. cite web | url = http://www.goldusa.com/FCD/RCD/R05/r05.html | title = Recent Page 5 | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date= | format=HTML | publisher = GoldRecordsUSA] The original organizer of the ministry, Gregg Matte, was the founder and director of Breakaway Ministries for fifteen years before leaving the post in2004 for a pastorship at aHouston church. Matte remains a member of theboard of directors for Breakaway Ministries.Breakaway's signature Bible study was originally located in theCollege Station Conference Center, but quickly outgrew the facility with the 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 atReed Arena for a two hour session ofcontemporary worship music and a talk given by a ministry leader. The usual speaker for Breakaway is currently Ben Stuart.Cite web | url = http://breakawayministries.org/j/content/view/48/48/ | title = Breakaway Ministries - Ben Stuart | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date= | format=HTML | publisher = Breakaway Ministries] Past artists that have led worship includeChris Tomlin ,Shane and Shane , The Smith Band, and Ross King, of whom Tomlin, Shane Bernard, and Shane Everett were members of Breakaway during their time at A&M. Cite web | url = http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=425053&cr=artist&or=ASCENDING&sf=length&kw=Chris%20Tomlin | title = Billboard.com - Biography - Chris Tomlin | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date= | format=HTML | publisher = Billboard.com] Cite web | url=http://www.christianbook.com/html/authors/4824.html | title = Profile - Shane Barnard | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date= | format=HTML | publisher = www.christianbook.com] Breakaway Ministries has released a 12-track Christian worship album called "The Spirit Moves" featuring a six-member worship team with Ross King andJohn Sherrill as leadvocalist s. Breakaway also features apodcast Cite web | url=http://breakawayministries.org | title= Breakaway Ministries (sidebar box displays subscription link to podcast) | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date= | format=HTML | publisher=Breakaway Ministries] and a live streaming feed from Reed Arena during the actual weekly event. Cite web | url =http://breakawayministries.org/j/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,49/ | title = Breakaway Ministries - Watch Now! (live feed available when Breakaway is in session in fall and spring semesters) | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date= | format=HTML | publisher = Breakaway Ministries ]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.Cite web | url = http://www.theeagle.com/bonfire/storyarchive/november2000/111800bonfiresurvivors.htm | title = Bonfire Tragedy | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date= | format=HTML | publisher = The Bryan-College Station Eagle] cite web | url = http://www.next-wave.org/special/Badthings.htm | title="When Bad Things Happen" | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date = | format=HTML | publisher = David Hopkins on www.next-wave.org]Breakaway is currently holding its weekly meetings.
Mission Statement
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 inSpring, Texas Cite web | url =http://breakawayministries.org/j/content/view/18/61/ | title = Breakaway Ministries- Board of Directors | accessdate = 2007-08-14 | date= | format=HTML | publisher = Breakaway Ministries All information on members of board of directors obtained here. ]Notes and References
External links
* [http://breakawayministries.org Breakaway Ministries website]
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