Why campus ministry?
It’s a great question considering the plethora of other great, God-glorifying ministries and opportunities today.
My response?
I think that one of the unique aspects I love about campus ministry is its “catalyticness”.
As we see through the gospels, Jesus was very focused and obedient to his mission stated in Luke 19:10, “To seek and save that which was lost.”
But how was it done with Jesus knowing that his life on earth was limited?.
He could have spent years creating a mega church that would have sent chills down caesar’s spine. He could have created multiple food distribution centers, orphanages, and homeless shelters. He could have decided to start Antiquity’s first Theological Seminary. But no, instead Jesus centered his mission around the humble concept of spiritual multiplication.
Jesus knew that to reach the world, it had to be by the Holy Spirit starting through 12 men. And it is through those 12 men whom were faithful to Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28, that you and I are reading this blog. Crazy.
You see, campus ministry, I believe, is one of the few ministries that entrusts, empowers and equips broken vessels to share and be the gospel in whatever vocation God has appointed them to be in. But what is amazing is that it never stops there. The discipleship process never ends. Leadership and vision and the call to answer the great commission is passed on.
Jesus loved being with his disciples and he dedicated himself to them. But He knew that the fulfillment of His (and consequently their) ministry was not the few years Jesus had with them, but the years that followed when each went his own way fulfilling the commission through the holy spirit–even to their death.
One of my directors shared this insight with me that forever changed my perspective of campus ministry: My main goal as staff CANNOT be to equip these students to walk with the Lord and be light for just the four years I have them here on campus. My goal is to equip them and send them to be in love with God and be light for the 40 years they have after campus. I feel its so crucial that we get that!
Ironically, campus ministry has taught me that ministry is less and less about me and the ministry itself. And you know…its amazing how the goodness and glory and sovereignty of Christ shines brightest when there is a lot less me.
What if the first step in changing the world began with your next discipleship time?
*Today’s post, by Andrew Baron, is part of a blog series titled “Why Campus Ministry?“. Why do we give our lives to this profession, this people group, this thing called Campus Ministry? Why do we do what we do? What drives us? What keeps us going? Why college students? Why the University campus? Here’s the catch…each post must be 200 words or less.