College Students and You

Campus Renewal reported in 2017, “Studies have shown that somewhere between 60 percent and 80 percent of previously engaged Christian youth become disengaged with their faith as they transition into college.” College students are an interesting group. They are individuals trapped between the phase of youth and adulthood. They’re away from home and their faith is really tested for the “first time.” ​ ​

They discover how much they trust in God. They discover how much of their belief in Christ is their own or their families. They find out if their love is for the people of their previous church or if they actually love Jesus. They’re experiencing a whole new world, college. As church members, we need to recognize some of these students are struggling in their life. They need help. They need guidance and wisdom to help them through this difficult time. There are plenty of sources that offer help and wisdom, but many experienced saints will tell you there is only one place to truly find help. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior: my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.” (Psalm 18:1)

​College is difficult which is why we must help. Here are three reasons to get involved in a college student’s life.

1. God commands it
   God commands us as Christians to share the Gospel and disciple. Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciple of all nations…”
   As Christians, it is our job to share the Gospel to all people, this includes college students. College students need to be discipled especially in college. During my time in college, it was a time of real growth. College students are away from family. College Students are experiencing the world for the first time because they are outside of the protective bubble that is their hometown. In college, students meet new people; some like they have never met before. They are in a whole new community, a whole new world. They need a place they can find rest in the Lord. They need a church they can serve in, but, also, one they can grow in. Keep in mind, it is easy to serve, but much harder to grow. Are you helping to provide a growth environment at New Life?
   
   
2. It helps the next Christian generation
   When we disciple we are passing our biblical knowledge to the next generation. “Tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord.” (Psalm 78:4)
   We must pass the Gospel on through discipleship to all generations. We must disciple children, youth, college, and young adults. It is important we do not leave out the college students. Often times, college students can be the most overlooked group in the church because they are not “real members.” College life can be hard for a young adult. They are away from home. They might be fare away from everything they always knew this includes their church. Let me tell you from personal experience, it is hard to find a church in college to call home. I felt like I could not fully commit to any church because I had no idea where I would end up in 4 years. I was looking for a community but felt I had little connection to most churches in the area. People were willing to smile and shake your hand but not invest. I knew I needed to grow. Plenty of places wanted to get me involved in some way but I was looking for an investment. Yes college kids can get involved in ministries through youth and children’s ministry but they they need to grow past youth and children’s ministries. Most have already grown through children’s ministries and youth, but now its time for the next step, adulthood. They need adults in the church to come alongside and shepherd them. They need adults young and old, to help them navigate their Christian walk to the next step. That’s where you as a member of the church come in. Are you sharing the Gospel and your Christian life with the next generation?
   
   
3. Your presence makes an impact
   “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” (Proverbs 19:20)
   College students need wisdom and they can only receive wisdom from those who have experienced what a student has not. We must be intentional about sharing our life with the students of New Life, especially the college students. College students are like budding flowers. They are on the verge of blossoming into adulthood. Once again, I remind you for the first time they are away from home. They are getting a taste of the real world. In college, so much was new to me. I believed I was an adult and living like an adult. Let me tell you, from personal experience, college is the in between phase of youth and real adulthood. College students are experiencing a lot of things for the first time. They experience new challenges every week. They need people they can trust. They need people who will love on them. They need people who will invest in them. They need you! Are you investing in college students?

Sincerely,
Thomas Sandifer
NLBC College and Career Coordinator