Drew Moreno was enjoying his freshman summer taking sustainability classes at Wheaton in the Black Hills when he heard about an interesting environmental group called A Rocha from a guest instructor. Ben Lowe ‘07, executive director of the parent organization A Rocha USA, shared about an environmental organization devoted to executing conservation projects and educational programs to fulfill the biblical call of creation stewardship.
Due to the pandemic, the group dissolved in 2020.
Now a senior communication major, Moreno has finally brought the group back to campus.
When A Rocha was first established in 2004, the group participated in several projects, including hosting chapel speakers and recycling. The group also worked toward campus sustainability initiatives in partnership with the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee.
“We plan on giving an opportunity to students to care for creation through the different projects we do and equipping others to do likewise,” Moreno said. The ministry currently has three cabinet members and focuses on environmental stewardship by hosting educational events, environmental service projects, composting and more.
Moreno spent his junior year as executive vice president of campus sustainability on Student Government, now the Student Government Association. After leaving this position, Moreno wanted to continue expanding environmental outreach, so he began to reestablish A Rocha this past fall semester.
Lowe was a student leader of the group from 2004 to 2007. During his years, the ministry arranged a creation care seminar series for the Wheaton Chinese Alliance Church and researched amphibian biodiversity at local preserves with the DuPage County Forest Preserve District.
“A Rocha Wheaton connected me with a worldwide network of other Christians living out God’s call to care for creation,” Lowe said. “It was very encouraging and provided rich relationships and contacts that have been so valuable in my work over the years.”
Last semester, the group focused on marketing through posters, setting up fundraisers, selling stickers and reusable straws and establishing a composting system. Volunteers collect leftover food waste from interested campus apartments every Thursday and place it in the compost bins by the Meyer Science Center. After the compost reaches a certain level of decomposition, it is used as fertilizer for the Garden Prairie Project’s vegetable garden, another environmental group on campus, located beside the softball field.
On March 22, A Rocha partnered with the Forest Preserve of Dupage to pick up trash in the Herrick Lake Forest Preserve. Fourteen students showed up that Saturday morning to clean up along the lake and roads of the area.
Grayson Jang, a senior international relations major, heard about the event in his Dynamic Earth & Environment class with Kathryn Maneiro, assistant professor of geology, which offered extra credit for students who participated.
Jang said that he would volunteer for the ministry again if his busy schedule allowed. “Picking up trash while walking around the lake was way more enjoyable than I expected,” Jang said. “The encouragement we got from other people walking by made it all the more meaningful.”
Luke Pratt, a sophomore biochemistry and molecular biology major, is one of the cabinet members who views the event as an example of A Rocha’s mission. “I envision us getting more involved in the Wheaton community. It was nice to go to Herrick Lake because it was local, helping the community become aware of Wheaton College and how we’re caring for the environment,” Pratt said.
Kristen Page, a professor of biology and A Rocha’s faculty advisor, said the event showed how the ministry’s environmental outreach could create a ripple effect in the community “The Forest Preserve District is a government organization, and they know Wheaton is a faith-based institution, they know our motives for being there and that speaks loudly without having to say a word,” Page said.
The cabinet has been working with the Christian Service Council, a student subset of the Office of Ministry and Evangelism, to finalize the ministry as an official group and provide support. Additionally, A Rocha benefits the ministry with educational literature and branding opportunities, such as logo designs and potentially featuring the group on their website. The hope for the future is that A Rocha will present internship opportunities for members of the college group.
On April 22, A Rocha participated in a panel discussion at the Earth Day Film Festival at Gary United Methodist Church. Cabinet members answered community members’ environmental questions and spread awareness about the group.
In addition, A Rocha led a group of volunteers to measure the carbon storage of trees on campus on Arbor Day using ecological tactics and formulas. The goal was to raise awareness about climate change and keep an accurate record of Wheaton’s fluctuating carbon sequestration over the years.
Page highlighted that the group’s efforts not only influence the environment and communities surrounding the campus and campus culture. “We are taking care of the place where God dwells, and the Scripture is clear that it’s an important role we’ve been given by our Creator,” Page said.
