Our future Christian leaders need your church’s encouragement and care! Need fresh ideas for uplifting college students?
Diana DavisAdopt a student. Is your church in a college town? Invite church families to “adopt” a student each August to help students learn the town, invite them for meals or holidays, encourage their Christian walk, or even let them do laundry at their home.
Welcome day. Plan a fabulous fellowship event in early fall for college students. Serve homemade food and register students for your church’s Adopt a Student program.
They’re adults. Include them in church golf tournaments, ladies’ retreats or mission projects. Let students use their unique gifts by involving them on church committees, music or drama groups, special projects, technical team, etc.
International students. Plug into the BCM’s conversational English group, the university’s international friendship family program, or another activity to impact international students’ lives for Christ. My friend invites international students to her home for fun holiday celebrations, sharing Jesus with them as they make Christmas cookies.
Head start. Before your freshmen leave for college, give contact info to the Baptist collegiate minister (www.student.org). Many BCM’s will write, pray, contact personally, or post welcome signs on their dorm door. They’ll help find Christian friends and encourage students’ involvement in a local church.
Mail matters. Mail from a student’s Christian friends or home church is a great reminder of God’s love. Send a church bulletin, local news clipping, sermon CD or prayer note. E-mail a weekly scripture. During finals week, mail a care package of tea bags and colored pens. One church group sent $5 gift cards from fast food restaurants. Mail homemade cookies.
Meet for coffee. If business takes you near the campus, meet the student for a soft drink. They’ll welcome a visit from their pastor, youth leader or friend – especially if you buy them lunch!
Encourage our next generation of Christian leaders. Begin this week. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up -” (1 Thess. 5:11).