CAMPUS MINISTRY #1: Why Campus Ministry?

CAMPUS MINISTRY #1: Why Campus Ministry?

The conversation revolved around the transformative power of Jesus’ love and redemption, with speakers sharing their personal experiences and emphasizing the importance of following His model and methods to change the world. They also discussed the significance of guiding college students in their faith, particularly during their formative years, and highlighted the challenges of college life. Additionally, speakers shared their personal journeys of self-discovery and spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of community and mentors in their spiritual journeys.

Action Items

• [ ] Continue investing in campus ministry to make disciples who make disciples and equip students to go onto college campuses.
• [ ] Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest, to send out laborers into His harvest. (Jesus, as referenced in Matthew 9:37-38)
• [ ] Live in the college dorms for at least a year to be where students are choosing their paths.

Outline

Restoring the impact of the early church, with a focus on Jesus’ model and methods.

• TC and Maria share their personal stories of transformation through Jesus.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of following Jesus’ model and methods to have a similar impact as He did.

Jesus’s methods and ministry, focusing on college age group.

• Jesus selected young disciples (mostly in their late teens/early 20s) as part of His method to impact the world.
• College students are in a time of transition and are vulnerable to false teachings.

College life choices and their impact on future.

• College students face crossroads in life, choosing paths that may lead to temporary satisfaction or eternal fulfillment.
• Speaker 2 highlights the importance of intentionally guiding college students towards a path of eternal life, rather than the wide and free path that most choose.
• The speaker shares their experience as a high school art teacher, warning seniors about the immaturity and potential for regret they may encounter in college.
• Speaker 2 shares personal struggles with selfishness and sexual sin, emphasizing the importance of community and accountability in avoiding mistakes.
• Students are encouraged to embrace their busy schedules and use their learning experiences to help others, with the understanding that it gets more challenging but also more rewarding.

Campus ministry and the importance of relationships.

• Speaker emphasizes importance of personal discipleship and lifelong learning in college.
• Worldview of professors can lead students away from truth of God, says speaker.
• Speaker 1 acknowledges a friend’s birthday and encourages the group to give a shoutout, emphasizing the importance of relationships in campus ministry.
• Speaker 1 shares a personal story about the impact of young people committed to Christ on the church, highlighting their passion and momentum.

The importance of passion and energy in college campus ministry.

• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of passion and energy in church planting, citing college students as ideal candidates due to their contagious enthusiasm and transformative potential.
• Speaker 1 advises young people to relish their youthful vigor and follow their heart’s impulses, while also acknowledging the need to answer to God for every decision and action.
• Speaker reflects on growth in campus ministry as key to church growth.
• Speaker 1 emphasizes the importance of campus ministry, encouraging young people to be involved and take advantage of their youth.
• The passion and momentum of campus ministry inspire both college students and alumni to live on God’s purpose, creating a healthy and vibrant community.

The benefits of being a young adult in ministry.

• Speaker 2 highlights the freedom and lack of responsibilities that college students have, which can make them more available to serve God.
• Paul encourages unmarried and widowed individuals to stay unmarried, citing the freedom and lack of responsibilities as a blessing.
• Speaker 2 mentions that college students have more flexible time, which makes it easier for them to pour into others and be developed.
• Speaker 1 shares their doubts about church planting, despite having a stable home and family life, and mentions the influence of Carrie’s Bible study.

Equipping college students for Jesus through campus ministry.

• Speaker reflects on personal journey, realizing they’ve become “old and stuck in my ways” and God has been breaking their heart and BMI.
• Speaker emphasizes strategic importance of campus ministry, citing examples of decisive battles in history and their impact on the world.
• Speaker emphasizes importance of equipping children to share Jesus on college campuses.
• Avoid sending kids to Caesar (public schools) and instead homeschool or invest in campus ministry.

Campus ministry and personal redemption through Jesus.

• Jesus sees lost students as sheep without a shepherd, calling for more laborers to make disciples.
• Maria shared her personal story of redemption through Jesus, highlighting her struggles with anger and partying in college.
• Maria emphasized the importance of campus ministers like Matt and Carrie, who provide love and support to those in need of Jesus.

Personal growth, spiritual awakening, and new beginnings.

• Speaker 2 shares their personal story of struggling with sexual sin and mental health issues, including a public embarrassment from a picture taken at a party.
• Speaker 2’s father was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and they and their brother have a greater chance of getting it due to genetics, leading to severe anxiety and a mental breakdown.
• Speaker’s grandma’s death and drinking with coworkers led to spiritual awakening.
• Speaker’s new friends at church poured their lives out to him, and God changed his world.

The impact of campus ministry on personal lives.

• Speaker 2 met Mallory (Mal) through a mutual friend and saw her transform from a broken person to a leader.
• Mal’s legacy was living in the dorms, being a part of the campus community, and pouring her heart out to junior highers.
• Speaker 1 shares personal story of sister’s spiritual transformation through campus ministry.
• Speaker 2 leads prayer, expressing gratitude for opportunity to seek God in community.

This content was featured at the 2024 Antioch Collective Annual Assembly at The Crossings Church St. Charles County in O’Fallon, MO. For more like this, visit https://antiochcollective.org/