Campus Outreach began by asking, “Where are the students whom no one else is reaching?” This focus has continually led CO to focus on students without an understanding of the gospel. We believe that this is commanded and modeled all throughout scripture. We look at texts like Romans 10:13-15 and 2 Timothy 4:2 as scriptural basis for sharing our faith with non-christian students on the campus.

We believe the best spiritual training takes place in the context of relationships. Rather than relying on a program or Bible-study curriculum, we emphasize the importance of life-on-life relationships - one individual sharing his life with another. Today’s graduates are tomorrow’s marketplace and ministry leaders. We focus on developing and deploying those leaders. Through evangelism and discipleship, we provide emerging leaders with catalytic growth opportunities and experiences and then launch these leaders into vocational ministry and the marketplace. Our goal is to teach and train students to walk deeply with Christ and minister to others in their sphere of influence, on the campus, in the world, and for a lifetime.

Campus Outreach believes in a relationship with the church. Campus Outreach is not a para-church organization. Though we are not connected to one particular denomination, each regional ministry is under the authority and leadership of a regional church body, which provides a crucial source of accountability, leadership and resources. Staff members and students involved with Campus Outreach in other cities and towns become involved in local churches. Campus Outreach Central Illinois is under the authority and a ministry of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Illinois.