Q&A with Nick Cocalis, lead campus pastor
New in role, Nick Cocalis became Bethel’s lead campus pastor last summer. Here he shares the ways he has seen God working in the hearts of Bethel students in his first few months and how Campus Ministries is supporting them in their faith journey.
By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist
January 06, 2025 | 2:30 p.m.
As Bethel’s lead campus pastor, Nick Cocalis S’25 helps students dig deep into the word of God during Chapel.
Nick Cocalis S’25 has been part of the Bethel community since 2019, serving as the men’s golf coach—he led the Royals to the program’s second MIAC Championship title in 2023—and helping run athletic fundraising efforts as a development officer. In the summer of 2024, he stepped into a new role as Bethel’s lead campus pastor. He is working toward his Master of Divinity at Bethel Seminary and continues to coach golf as well.
What has surprised you in your new role as campus pastor?
I have been so grateful to meet a new sector of the student body that I hadn't had a chance to engage with before. Over the past five years at Bethel, I have been entrenched in what God is doing in the lives of student-athletes. So, it has been so fun to see the other corners of this university where God is at work in mighty ways.
How does Campus Ministries help busy students find margin for God in their lives?
Our goal is to meet students in their daily rhythms with opportunities to engage in faith and experience God. One of our core beliefs is that God is at work at all times in all places, and our goal is to help students be aware of God's presence amidst the busyness of their lives. We have tried to meet students where they're at by having an active ministry presence on social media, at their events, games and co-curricular activities, and during their margin time—no matter what time of day or night that is.
How does Campus Ministries encourage spiritual growth beyond times of corporate worship like Chapel?
The big-picture answer is to share a message with students that God is present in all areas of their life and encourage students to engage with their faith in all circumstances. Practically this looks like increasing social media messaging and engagement, connecting our Chapel messages to curriculum and guides for community and first-year student Shift groups. It’s also supporting student-led initiatives for worship, prayer, and evangelism. Additionally, we’ve made an effort to reimagine our Campus Ministries office space as a welcoming community space for homework, rest, and community building. The office space has been remodeled and is open for all of our community to gather!
“I continue to be so impressed with our students’ heart to worship, serve, and love each other well—to make our campus and world look more like heaven.”
— Nick CocalisWhat are you excited about for students in 2025?
This spring we will dive into a semester-long study of the book of Genesis, called “Cultivate.” Our prayer is that our community will be excited about digging deep roots in the word of God and understand that our faith in Jesus is built on solid ground. I am also thrilled that more than 75 students will be serving on short-term mission trips across the globe during spring break, representing Bethel and, most importantly, Jesus as we serve alongside some amazing local church partners. I continue to be so impressed with our students’ heart to worship, serve, and love each other well—to make our campus and world look more like heaven.
In December, Lead Campus Pastor Nick Cocalis spoke at Christmas on the Egg—an annual tradition that includes President Ross Allen reading Luke 2 and students singing Christmas carols.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite part of the job is having the opportunity to listen to students share the amazing ways God is working in and through them. God is legitimately doing unbelievable things in our students’ lives, and I am privileged to get a front-row seat.
“I want incoming students to know that they are loved, that Bethel is their home, and that God wants to do outrageous things in and through them…”
— Nick CocalisWhat would you tell new students about Campus Ministries and their time at Bethel?
We want Campus Ministries to be part of every area of their experience at Bethel. We have a mission for all incoming students to engage in their faith, experience God, and extend service to others in the name of Christ. This can look so many different ways during a student's four years in college, and we are better because of the diverse ways students can engage in and express their faith at Bethel. Above all, I want incoming students to know that they are loved, that Bethel is their home, and that God wants to do outrageous things in and through them during their time at Bethel. So get ready to go!
How would you encourage parents to support their student spiritually?
My encouragement to parents is to engage from afar and ask great questions. Parents can hop online and watch Chapel or follow Campus Ministries on social media to get a taste of what students are experiencing and have the ability to follow up with their kids with specific and engaging questions. I also invite parents to pray for our community daily. God is doing a mighty work on campus, and our students are in a battle every day. I graciously ask for parents to be in prayer for our students’ hearts—daily. And of course, I invite all parents and family to reach out at any time with questions or ways we can better partner together.
Striving to live out Christ’s love
Through a myriad of opportunities and faith-building experiences, Bethel’s Campus Ministries team fosters a community that works together toward life transformation through community groups, Chapel, Vespers, mission trips, and more! You’ll be challenged and encouraged to live out Christ’s love in our complex world.