I’m going to be honest. My first semester at JSU (Fall 2017) was very rough. I went to church, but I felt like I was going through the motions. I felt like I was being pulled away from church at the time as well due to certain factors. With those factors gone in my second semester (Spring 2018), I felt my faith grow in ways I didn’t think it ever would.

The reason I say that is to say that it is absolutely essential to get involved in ministry in college. We are so blessed at JSU to have so many ministries available for us on campus. From Engage JSU to the BCM to RUF and everything in between, every student has an ample opportunity to plug into a ministry on our great campus.

The biggest reason to get involved in a ministry in college is because it gives you a community to do life with. Whether it’s celebrating big moments in life or holding people up when they fall, being in a college ministry gives students the opportunity to have a group they can turn to whether they are in the valley or on the mountaintop. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (ESV).” This means when’s we are part of a college ministry, we are a part of the lives of the individuals of those around us.

Being a part of college ministry also involves encouraging one another in their walk. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day draw near (ESV).” Some versions, such as the NIV, use the word spur. Basically, what this is saying is to motivate and encourage fellow believers in their walk. What better way to do this than by being involved in college ministry!

Another way being involved in college ministry is important is that it brings about unity in Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 tells us, “And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and the teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (ESV).” What these verses are saying is that we all have gifts and talents that we should seek to use in ministry, as I mentioned in Greater Purpose with the Spiritual Gifts Inventory. When we build up the body of Christ, we are also building unity in Him.

To wrap it altogether, being involved in college ministry is important. Without it, I don’t think I would be as strong in my faith as I am now. Statistics show that approximately 70% of college students stray or walk away from their faith once they are away from home. If you are struggling with this, my suggestion is to pray about it. Pray that God will lead you to the ministry where He wants you to serve. More importantly, if He leads you to, take on a leadership role in that ministry, so that you can not only help others grow, but you will see yourself growing in your faith as well!