A couple of summers ago, John (a great friend of mine) and I embarked on an 8 week road trip. Our destinations were various CIY conferences across the country at which we would represent the National Association of Christian Campus Ministries (now, the ACM). Our goal was to make high school students aware of the fact that they could be Christians on their "secular" campus.
Perhaps one of our most startling discoveries for us was that while students were interested, their youth leaders were nearly oblivious to campus ministries. We had several leaders approach us and say they didn't know such things even existed on secular campuses.
This is tragic. Tragic and frightening.
Consider: An overwhelming majority of high school students in youth groups will NOT be attending Bible college.
As a new campus minister, one thing of which I am becoming increasingly aware is that college students have extremely specific needs. This is why Todd and Gretchen started CSF at UIS & LLCC and why my wife and I are working alongside them now. One of our main purposes is to guide students into a deeper relationship with God as they go through some extreme life changes. It requires intense amounts of time, attention and prayer.
Unfortunately, I'm repeatedly reminded that many high school students are not even exposed to campus ministries, and, for those who are, it is little more than advice given in passing.
What if this changed?
What if every high school student in Springfield planning on attending secular college was aware that campus ministry existed?
What if they were not only exposed to campus ministry, but had experienced it ahead of time?
How many more would transition well from H.S. to college and from college to full time lay service in a church community?
How many more believers would exist in the workplace?
How many more over-seas missionaries would Christ raise up? How many more pastors, teachers, etc?
This isn't meant to be an accusatory shout. It's meant to be the start of a brainstorming session among believers in Springfield interested in H.S. believers not dropping off the map once they hit the university. I want to dream big about this topic today. Pray with me about this...
thanks
-dave
4 comments:
great point Dave.. I didn't know a campus ministry existed in colleges while I was in High school, either.. and it has transformed my faith..
I'll definitely be praying for this.. and if you need hands and feet.. I'd be willing to help!
I have always thought the winter retreat here in Spfld could be a great exposure... Awesome thoughts brother.
thanks Dave.....i'm getting excited about what that might look like!!
GO FOR IT! my youth group made a passing trip to EIU campus ministry once- i think i was a freshman or sophmore in HS. and that was my hope that i wouldn't be lost to God forever if I didn't go to christian college. In our youth group of 25 grads, more than half went to christian college. There was a fair amount of implication that maybe I was choosing hell over heaven. And I'm so glad I did:)
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