~Campus Connect is a resource dedicated to those working with college students and young adults. ~
We would love to have you and your young adults join us at one of these upcoming retreats: October 30-31 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Hosted by Ann Arbor Baptist Church - Pastor Jonathon Barber December 31, 2020 - January 2, 2021 in Greeneville, Tennessee. Hosted by Eastside Baptist Church- Pastor David Fox April 9-10, 2021 in Greenville, North Carolina Hosted by People's Baptist Church- Pastor Tim Butler We are gathering young people together to: Grow closer in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Discover and settle what they believe and why they believe it. Participate in an environment of safe discussion about relevant topics and issues. Enjoy opportunities for lasting community. Get more info ®gister here
There is a pandemic growing in college age young people that is more deadly than COVID-19. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in college age young people, only behind unintentional accidents. Currently there have been 568 reported deaths of 15-24 year olds from COVID-19 in the U.S. while there were 6,211 reported deaths by suicide in 2018. The CDC released information recently that reveals a drastic increase in suicidal ideation. A study taken during June 24-30, 2020, discovered that 25% of 18-24 year olds have had suicidal thoughts which is significantly higher than the general population of 11%! Why? Why are 18-24 year olds struggling so hard that suicide is their only answer? While working in campus ministry, we experienced the reality of students each year dying from suicide and drug overdoses. One big reason we see is hopelessness. Our current world produces extreme stress and anxiety but offers no remedy. The fact that so many young people have been taught since kindergarten that they are here by natural processes thus their life has no meaning or purpose has tremendous implications in their daily lives. Viewing your life as an accident leads to a broken and hopeless generation! These numbers reveal the reality of a generation being captured by Satan and his lies. The biggest issue is that they need Jesus Christ! Right now there are numerous college students all around you that need the hope that is only found Jesus. They also need your friendship. These times are desperate but never more open for Jesus Christ to work miraculously in the hearts of our young people. I was a 21 year old lost young man who had no hope and tried to find it in everything the world offered only to come up empty and desperate every night. It was only until someone intentionally engaged me in conversation and shared the gospel that I finally found hope. This provided purpose and direction for my life. The challenge…will you and I step up to the need of the hour and intentional reach and engage college students with the gospel? Their lives both physically and eternally are depending on it.
Fall semester is coming rapidly! It is always an exciting time of the year with the energy and excitement of many incoming students. Each new year brings numerous opportunities for ministry. Unfortunately, Fall 2020 is feeling a little less exciting and more on the nerve-racking side as we try to discover and navigate the COVID-19 guidelines and how these will impact campus ministries. It seems that most campuses are mandating masks everywhere on campus. This will make engaging students in conversation very difficult. A couple schools we have heard from will not be allowing any inside or outside outreach events during the fall semester. Schools that are allowing weekly meetings have stated that room space will be limited in size and availability. Some schools are even limiting the amount of students that will be on campus. With these guidelines and all the unknowns, it is going to make ministry difficult this semester. The office of Dean of Students at one school stated that they are extremely concerned about the well being of students for this upcoming semester. They also expressed worry about being able to connect with these students in order to help due to all the distancing measures and fear students will have. As a positive note, this same office added that they are relying heavily on the campus ministries to reach out and interact with these students! One thing is for sure, ministry will be harder but more needed than ever! Student's hearts will be open in a way like never before. Do we just pause ministry for this semester due to the hinderances? No, difficult times force us to incite creative ways to continue doing what we are called to do. We have to get creative in engaging and reaching students! I do not have all the answers by any means. We are praying and thinking through different methods to engage the student body that we will share with you soon. What we do have as a network of CFC ministries is a resource to share and pool ideas together. Please let us know what you may be trying so we can share with others. I pray that we can truly seize this unprecedented moment before us to reach more college students for Christ!
A Launching Point to Reach the World
The world has come to the campuses of America! The 2018-19 school year was the thirteenth straight year in a row that the international student population hit a record high with 1,09,299 students studying in America. Many of these students come from countries listed as restricted, hostile, or unreached by missionary efforts such as China, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Kuwait, and Vietnam just to name few. The college campuses in America are a launching point to reach the world with the Gospel.
