Faith in Christ goes beyond high school. The transition from high school to college is a monumental time in life – the first real opportunity to live out one’s faith.
Here’s a bit of practical advice to share with college students in your life.
Find a campus group that focuses on Jesus and his word.
- Research and ask around.
- Respond to invitations from others.
- Take a risk and show up.
- If you’re a leader or feel nudged to become one, take a role in serving in such a ministry.
Stay connected from home.
Stay involved in your church if you are attending college in your home area:
- Serve in ministry in your church. Talk with the pastor, student ministry leader, or worship leader about your interests and the needs of your home church.
- Check on the possibility of serving as a ministry intern in your home church.
- Get involved in a campus group as a commuter. Your campus may have a group that offers worship times, student ministry, or worship ministry.
Grow in your discipleship and faith.
Contrary to our modern culture, you don’t have to throw your discipleship and faithfulness to Jesus out the window and party yourself into a frenzy when you go off to college. God will use your college experiences. He may open your mind to new ideas. He may awaken your heart to a calling for his work to be done in you. God can use the foundation you build in college to catapult you into a successful life as a Christ-follower.
Invest college breaks.
You may feel busy as a student, but you have summers and week-long breaks. Instead of squandering your college breaks, invest your time in serving or mission trips. Learn all you can. Those times may be life-changing and lead to new directions.
Keep praying and seeking God’s will for your life.
Prayer is a huge part of being faithful. Prayer helps you to grow in communion with Christ and discover things about yourself, your calling, and your heart that you might otherwise miss. Prayer is a huge part of making great, foundational decisions about your life – your future spouse, your future career path, how you will be known to others, and more.
For students in my geographical area…
If you are in my close geographical area (Illinois / St. Louis / Midwest), I can help you stay plugged into ministry and continue growing your faith. Here are a few specific opportunities through Harvest Ministry and Troy United Methodist Church (in the St. Louis Metro East area of Illinois):
- Be a music or conference volunteer for Harvest Ministry Events.
- Serve in Worship ministry or Tech ministry.
- Serve in an internship through Harvest or church worship ministry.
- Volunteer with our student ministry team – Provides weekly ministry and opportunities for relational ministry, mission trips, Bible studies, small group leadership, and more.
We want to see you!
Whenever you are back in this area, stop by and and say, “hi” We want to see you. We need you.
Blessings to each college student out there!
Scriptures for College Students
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Psalm 25:4-5
Show me Your ways, LORD, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.
Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
