Steve Atwater replaced longtime director Dan Soderberg as of Jan. 1. Both Atwater and Soderberg believe the student-led, youth-centered ministry is set for unprecedented growth in 2026.

“We’ve seen a tremendous request for setting up clubs and organizations in schools not only here in New York, but also in Pennsylvania and Ohio,” said Soderberg.

The non-profit organization is celebrating its 25th year in ministry, Soderberg explained.

“We started a club in 2001 at JHS (Jamestown High School) and JCC (Jamestown Community College), and then in 2003 we started a club at Frewsberg Central Schools, and now we’re in 50 different schools throughout Western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.”

Students with the Jamestown High School Impact Campus Fellowship in 2025.

Atwater aims to maintain the organization’s positive momentum and is eager to uphold the historically rich tradition of providing a high-quality, low-cost, character-building program in public schools.

“Each club is a little different,” he said. “Some of our clubs have only a few students, but other clubs have 50 or 60 members and some even more.”

However, Atwater said the clubs’ core mission is reflected in the organization’s mission statement.

“We are a student-led, interdenominational movement that equips young people to live boldly, love generously, and lead with purpose on campus,” Atwater said.

Atwater then explained the five guiding principles that the faith-based, non-denominational organization adheres to.

“We are in partnership with local churches; we are student-led and adult-supported; grounded in scripture, focused on the gospel; inclusive, but uncompromising and kingdom-minded, campus-focused,” he said.

Soderberg said that the calls for advice on how to set up a ministry, such as Campus Fellowship, have been extensive and far-reaching.

“I just received an email asking how to establish a ministry like ours in New Mexico,” he said. “It’s incredible what God is doing through our ministry. We are planning to launch a campus in Hamburg, New York, and we will continue our expansion as the Lord directs us.”

For more information about Impact Campus Ministries, visit www.impactcampusfellowship.org