I recently engaged in a discussion with a long time youth pastor friend on the need to see school campuses as a mission field. The fact is, school campuses are too often considered an "add-on" rather than an important mission field for reaching students. We need to do better.
Here are three things I know to be true about the importance of campus ministry, and three ways you can respond.
#1 Presence Is a Priority
How is the traditional "come to our event" approach working for you? The truth is, that isn't how Jesus did ministry. In Matthew 9, we see that Jesus went to the people where they were.
Jesus proclaimed the gospel in the street and on the hillsides. He attended parties and visited homes. He raised the dead and healed the blind and sick. He reminded us that the harvest is plentiful, and we should go and enter into it.
#2 Fish Where the Fishes Are
Where do students spend most of their time, most days of the week? We know that over 80% of young people are on a school campus most days of the year.
If our mission were to plant churches in another nation, we would immerse ourselves in their language, customs, and culture. We would work with like-minded ministries to evangelize and develop indigenous leaders. Why don't we approach youth ministry on school campuses similarly? Like Jesus, we need to go where students are, understand their world, and break away from the status quo.
#3 The ROI Is Immeasurable
How many high schools and middle schools are in your area? How many students do you have access to on those campuses?
As youth leaders, we play a crucial role in shaping the lives of students. During campus clubs and activities, we create a safe and nurturing space where students feel valued and understood. In an environment that is often daunting, we provide spiritual growth, mentorship, and support. The time you invest on a school campus will have a long-lasting impact as the seeds of faith sown during these years can bear fruit for a lifetime.
Step One: GET STRATEGIC
Through collaborative efforts, we're seeing campus clubs changing school culture and making a difference all across the nation. In Cincinnati, campus prayer is transforming schools. In South Texas, weekly See You at the Pole gatherings bring students from different campus clubs together regularly. A Houston-area school, previously plagued by daily reports of fights, has reported an absence of disturbances following daily prayers initiated last spring.
Working together as allies, we can combat the common enemy who seeks to harm our youth. Here are a few questions to help you get started:
- What partners are already on the campus and what are their activities?
- Are any churches in your community investing in reaching students at school?
- Are you aware of the ministry opportunities on those campuses?
- What can you do strategically and collaboratively to reach out to one school?
Step Two: GET RESOURCED
Would you like some FREE proven resources to help your student ministry thrive? Together with our friend, Dr. Barry St. Clair, we've produced a free digital resource full of practical information on how to do campus ministry well.
The Campus Connections: A Field Guide to Campus Ministry page will regularly release a section of this new work under each of the six headings. The first article for Section 1, Catch God's Vision for the Campus, is ready for you to dive in, download, and share.
As a companion resource, we've updated the An Awesome Way to Pray Leader's Guide and Student's Guide to equip your students with a proven prayer strategy. I highly recommend you sign up to receive upcoming digital resources that will support you in your campus ministry.
Step Three: GET CONNECTED
We are here to help you thrive in every way and remind you that you are never alone. Our team loves you and prays for you as you claim your campuses for Christ!
If you aren't already part of a local area network, I can't emphasize enough how important it is for you to find your people. If you are connected, lean into those relationships to super-charge your campus ministry, be encouraged, and co-labor with like-minded leaders for the sake of the next generation.
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Rick Eubanks is co-founder of See You At the Pole and Texas State Coordinator for NNYM. He is passionate about empowering students and the leaders committed to influencing students. His life verse is 2 Timothy 2:2.