COLLEGE MINISTRY

Our College Ministry exists to CONNECT students to Christ and other Christ-followers in our community, create an atmosphere where students are challenged to GROW in their relationship with Christ, and equip and challenge them to SERVE others locally, nationally and around the world.

a. Partnering with Parents – I believe it is our duty to NOT be the primary spiritual “guiders” of our students.  Scripture is very clear in who’s role that is when Moses writes, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  IMPRESS them on YOUR CHILDREN.  Talk about them when you sit at home when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up”.

(Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

So, our job is to partner with the parents, provide resources and reinforcement, to love their children, and be an example of Christ in their lives.

b. Building the Church – I have said over and over that the “church” has the tendency to treat students as if they are the church of tomorrow and their day is coming.  Let me reassure you that if they have surrendered their life to Christ... they are the church – today!  Everything we do in student ministry should reinforce this to them, in order that we help them take on responsibility and ownership (both personally and corporately).

c. Inspecting what we are Expecting – This phrase was taught to me years ago by a friend whose grandfather started Mt. Olive Pickles.  It means this... that if we are expecting anything from ourselves, each other or our students, then we must inspect that expectation.  This means that the five purposes of the church – Worship, Discipleship, Missions, Fellowship, and Ministry – these things we must always be evaluating (individually and collectively) in our lives and the lives of the ministry.