Ways Churches Can Minister to Collegiate Members Away at School

1.    Pray for a vision for college ministry

Seek God’s leadership and wisdom for how your church can best minister to college students.

2.    Learn to see all the collegians in your context.

Create a master list of recent high school graduates and where they will be attending college – obtain their mailing and e-mail addresses.  Look at ways to distribute this information to your church so that members may be able to stay in touch with them.  (Some churches have Sunday School classes or individuals adopt students who go away to school in order to write to them and to pray for them.)

3.    Promote high school seniors to the college-age Sunday school class in June

Allowing graduated seniors to get involved with the college-age class over the summer will help develop and strengthen bonds between them and the leaders as well as others involved in that class (graduated seniors should also be able to participate in youth group mission trips, retreats, and activities as well).

4.    Plan a On-to-College Day in August (usually the second Sunday in August)

Recognize students going away to college and have a special prayer time or some other emphasis for them.  Your church may even want to commission them as your missionaries to the college campuses that they will be attending. 

5.    Look for practical ways to show care and concern.

Personal letters, phone calls, e-mail, campus visits, birthday cards, care packages, etc.

6.    Think holidays, breaks and summer for planning Bible studies, activities, etc.

7.    Advise students about Baptist Campus Ministry/Campus Ministry Activities and follow-up to see what they are involved in. Click here to see a list of Baptist Collegiate Ministry Campus Ministers in South Carolina.

8.    Celebrate their return. 

    Recognize them in worship, special dinners, have them speak to high schoolers about their college experience.

9.    Never give up.

    Students are fickle, unsure of direction and can be immature.  But letting them drift away is unthinkable.  Help your church show unconditional love for them.