4 Steps for Choosing a College Campus Ministry

8/2/2024

By: Abe Rozenblum, Class of 2022

Is college independence making you feel adrift in your faith? CCA Class of 2022 alumnus Abe Rozenblum offers a roadmap for integrating Christian values into the whirlwind of university life. He shares his own journey of finding a community and provides practical steps to help college students stay connected and grow in their faith amid new experiences.

Listen to this article:

Let me begin by saying that I am continually thankful for the community of friends God has provided me in this time, both new and old. The past two years of college have allowed me to have some of the most enjoyable moments of my life. Having said that, in the whirlwind of college excitement, it is of utmost importance to stay connected to the church.

Like me, many college students have relocated to a new city, and with that comes a change of pace, habits, and rhythms. It is easy to be distracted by the newfound state of independence. When I first arrived at the University of Central Florida, I was blown away by the vastness of college. It seemed as though the potential to achieve anything you desired was limitless.

“. . . in the whirlwind of college excitement, it is of utmost importance to stay connected to the church.”

At my university, the first week of the fall semester is referred to as Opening Knight, which allows students to interact with the different opportunities that UCF has to offer. During that time, I recall being overwhelmed by the variety of similar clubs, groups, and organizations. Determining which one was best for me was challenging.

At that time, I was invited to a handful of different Christian campus ministries. However, the majority of the campus ministries met on the same night, making it nearly impossible to try each of the clubs out in a short amount of time. Ultimately, after a lengthy amount of time hopping around, I began attending YoungLife’s Men’s small group weekly. Though it took quite some time to make my final decision, I am grateful for where I ended up.

Here are the steps that helped me during this exploration process:

Attend
The first step is always to show up – regardless if you want to or not. Attend as many clubs as you can find until you find one you love. It’s perfectly acceptable if you are unaware of which one is best. You will never know if you do not show. Likewise, avoid procrastination in this area of life.

The Bible warns deeply about the consequences of laziness, and when first arriving at college, seeking a Christian community is not something to procrastinate about. Whether it takes shape as a campus ministry or a local church, getting involved as soon as possible is incredibly important for believers who desire to stay rooted in their faith. This is also a great way to form life-long friendships, and I can say that from experience.
“. . . when first arriving at college, seeking a Christian community is not something to procrastinate about.”
Pursue
As I mentioned previously, it is normal to not know which group may be best for you. Truthfully, I had a bad experience at the first campus ministry I attended, and that is okay. Do not forget that the church is a collection of imperfect, forgiven sinners. Sometimes, you will catch people on a rough night, but that should not deter you from finding a ministry.

Likewise, I would advise attending the ministry a few times before making a final judgment. This allows you to get a true feel for the community and environment. In my first year, I attended four to five different campus ministries and nearly 10 churches before I found where I wanted to be.
Discern
Matthew 10:16 teaches us to be as wise as serpents. When determining which ministry to join, you must test what is being done against the Word of God. If at any point you feel uneasy about what is being taught, simply ask, does this align with the Bible? Ask your family, friends, or even former teachers about any concerning ideas. I am grateful for the CCA teachers and staff who, to this day, I can call or text at a moment's notice.

On another note, if a message makes us feel uneasy because it challenges the lifestyle we want to live, that does not mean it goes against the Word of God. God wants us to be a pupil of the church, not a critic. Find a ministry that sharpens you unlike the outside world will. Proverbs 4:7 says it best, “the beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.”
“ Find a ministry that sharpens you unlike the outside world will.”
Replicate
Invite your friends! After finding your campus ministry, there is more work to be done. While searching for ministries and churches in Orlando, I first heard of YoungLife from a former UCF student and CCA alumni a few years older than me – Aaron Ridenour. He invited me to check out his small group, and his due diligence ultimately led to my involvement at YoungLife.

All that to say, it is each Christian’s responsibility to reach out to others going through a similar process, believer or non-believer. C.S. Lewis once said, “The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ.”

Lastly, I want to remind whoever is reading this that the Christian’s journey is not easy, especially in college. Moreover, John 15:18 reminds us that we will have adversaries, however, be bold in your faith, get involved in the community, and make disciples so that you can gain wisdom.

“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”

–Proverbs 16:15

Author Bio:

Abe Rozenblum graduated from Calvary Christian Academy Fort Lauderdale in 2022 after attending for 10 years. He is going into his third year at the University of Central Florida as a member of the Burnett Honors College studying Finance.

Back