College is a critical time in life for students. Studies show a decline in the number of college-aged kids who continue to pursue their faith. A few studies even show that 70% of college students walk away from their faith in Jesus. It’s a sad statistic, but it’s not my goal to discourage you. I hope that you will recognize the urgency of ministering to this age group. Although statistics indicate a decline in students following Jesus, we know that our God is greater than any percentage.
I am a walking testimony of the impact a college ministry can have on a student. Like most students starting at a university, I was excited to live by my own rules. I began making poor decisions, and then, within a few weeks, I was invited to a life group. I reluctantly went, but was met with open arms and the love of Christ.
Throughout my freshman year, God transformed my life. I had always loved Jesus and followed the “rules,” but for the first time, I learned what it was to have a relationship with Him. The Lord sparked a fire in my heart for Him, and I wasn’t the only one. In my church, there were over a couple of hundred college students adamantly seeking a relationship with God, walking in discipleship with one another, and building a Christ-centered community.
My church was only one of many college ministries around. Granted, I did go to a Christian school, but my college ministry wasn’t an isolated experience. I had friends all around the country at public schools who were impacted by a college ministry.
Now, all my friends and I have graduated; we have each taken our faith into our workplaces, as well as into missions and ministry fields.
College students are looking for answers. They’re looking for purpose. They’re finding their identity. All it takes is for someone to invest in them. For me, it took one person to invite me to a life group.
We have the opportunity to invest in these students, to show them the love of Christ.
We’ve all been where they are, trying to fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. We know there is only one answer. God has given me a passion and a calling to serve this age group. It is my prayer that the percentage of college students following Jesus will increase.
God can do immeasurably more than we can imagine, so please join me in praying for this ministry, that His will be done.