CLAY JAR SOCIETY CAMPAIGN

A DOWNPAYMENT OF HOPE

In Jeremiah 32*, the prophet finds himself under house arrest by the king, for bringing a word that no one wants to hear.

Through the walls of his captivity, Jeremiah can hear the sound of his people falling to the Babylonian army, the sound of his own horrible prophecy coming true. Jeremiah knows that this sacred land given to them by God is about to be lost.

But in the midst of all that, he hears God's voice calling him to do a strange thing: Invest in real estate. On the eve of the fall of Jerusalem, he is called to buy land and bury the deed in a clay jar for his grandchildren to find. When it comes to our church, it is tempting to speak only of the forces beyond these walls that threaten us with whispers that our best days have gone by. It is easy, as resources dwindle and tomorrow seems murky, to circle the wagons and speak of death tsunamis and dashboards.

But Jeremiah was given a long view, a vision beyond himself or his present, dire circumstances. When he closed his eyes at night in the jail, he imagined his grandchildren returning from exile, poor and without hope, finding that clay jar in the ground. Finding their grandfather’s arms reached out to them across the years, seeing through the darkness of the moment into the hope of restoration, the hope of resurrection.

A treasure in buried clay. A promise believed.

It is not time to sell off the land of our campuses, but to claim it for our children. God is calling us to believe that our best days are not behind us, but that a day will come when our investment in this generation of college students will be rewarded.

BRINGING HOPE TO DOWNTOWN HOUSTON CAMPUSES

The Rice Christian Study Center exists to cultivate Christian thought and life at Rice University by fostering intellectual inquiry, spiritual formation, creative expression, and hospitality.

Grounded in the historic Christian faith, we will seek to equip students, faculty, and community members to integrate their faith through academic pursuits, vocational callings, artistic endeavors, research, and cultural responsibility, thereby contributing to the flourishing of both the university and the wider world.

CLAY JAR FELLOWSHIP

Our goal is to raise up a community of individuals, families, churches, and organizations who will make a down payment of hope for the downtown Houston campuses, whether that be time, talent, or treasures. We are seeking

  • 150 Individuals/families

  • 50 partner churches

to invest in the lives of college students in Houston. Please join us by signing up for our MAILING LIST and by making a DONATION to our Fall 2025 Launch Campaign.

FALL 2025-SPRING 2026 GOAL

Programming: Funds will cover expenses related to program development, networking events, marketing, and event logistics.

Administrative Costs: CRM subscription, website maintenance/subscription, logo/branding, start up supplies, and other administrative costs.

Salaries: Funds will provide a competitive salary for our Executive Director, Program Director, and part-time accountant to lead the organization, develop programming, and build relationships within the Rice University community.

Research: a year-long, story-driven exemplar study of select Young Adult Faith-Based Leadership Programs (YAFBLPs) in campus and young-adult ministry contexts. We will spotlight places where young adults lean into new works of ministry and name the “secret sauce”: the relational practices, conditions, and adult mindsets that empower emerging leaders.

TOTAL: $250,000

Donate TODAY.

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES

As we plan for the future, there are several strategic naming opportunities available to partner with The Oxford House Study Center. We would welcome to opportunity to speak with about any of these strategic programs.

  • Fellows Program

  • 5 Named Annual Lecture Series (beginning Fall 2025 - Spring 2027):

    • Spiritual Formation/Discipleship

    • Theology/Christian Education

    • Arts, Theology, and Worship

    • Purpose & Calling

    • Christian Ethics/Responsibility

  • Named Arts Incubator/Cohort (beginning in Fall 2027)

  • Lead Gifts for purchasing property in downtown Houston