Campus Ministry
school expands their minds, we expand their souls
Once a week we get together with Richmond university students to pray and to share the gospel. Universities are meant to broaden the minds and sharpen the skills of young people. We encourage this wholeheartedly. Many YWAM-VA staff have graduated from universities around the world and know firsthand the value of a college education. But we want them to know so much more; we want them to know JESUS and His call on their lives.
According to surveys of Christian 12th graders who are planning to go to college, 70% don’t go to church. Of those that do, only about 3% have made a serious commitment to follow Jesus. By the time a student enters university, it is usually too late. Very few unbelievers will turn to Jesus, and most believers – upwards of 70% – will turn away from Him sometime during their college careers.
This is a very sad situation. What is the problem?
Many reasons could be given. One that stands out for us is this: there simply aren’t enough ministries on college campuses to meet the very specific needs of students. We thank God for those that do exist (Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) and Intervarsity Fellowship (IVF) for example), but we know God wants to plant many more. This is where YWAM-VA Campus Ministry comes in.
Like we said before, a college education is meant to broaden minds and sharpen skills–preparing young people to make positive changes in society. Campus Ministry goes one step further: we open hearts and deepen character. We can, with God’s Spirit, prepare college students to make a long-lasting spiritual impact on our world. We can raise up leaders who will influence future generations!
The fact is, Campus Ministry has influenced and inspired some of the greatest leaders in world missions. For example, the nation of South Korea was first evangelized by a missionary who’d been trained in campus ministry. In other words, what began on a single, isolated college campus eventually helped SAVE the spirit of an entire NATION! The writer of this article, a native of South Korea, can vouch for this!
We at YWAM-VA have a hope that every college on the East Coast of the United States would clearly reveal God’s glory. To realize this hope, we need help. Help from God, help from other ministries, help from………YOU! We simply cannot do it by ourselves!
When you work with us, we guarantee you will have opportunity to:
* Evangelize non-Christian college students on local university campuses
* Disciple, encourage and pray for Christian college students
* Serve and love college students in practical ways
* Help to equip and encourage future missionaries and ministry leaders.
* Receive both practical and theoretical training to do all the above!
* Help to design and establish a University Discipleship Training
School (UDTS) program at YWAM-VA.
* We trust God to reveal His Glory through us.
In conclusion, we in YWAM-VA Campus Ministry want you to know that we are trusting God to reveal His Glory through us. If God could raise up William Cary, a poor shoemaker, to become the father of Modern Missions, we know he can raise up our ministry to touch more lives than we could ever dream possible. We feel we have the same spirit as William Cary. If you share this spirit, or want to catch it, please contact us!
Ready to apply? Do it here.