By Greg Alexander
You have probably heard it said that “we are living in unique times.” Everyone's generation can lay claim to that phrase to some extent. But with respect to the youth and college culture of our day the claim is absolutely true.
Addressing a conference of campus ministers, Charles Kelly Jr., president of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, encouraged them in their work with students by referring to a burgeoning spiritual hunger among today's student population. In a study conducted in 2004 by the University of California, Los Angeles‚ Higher Education Research Institute, about 100,000 freshmen at 236 colleges and universities were surveyed. Researchers discovered that 80 percent said they were interested in spiritual things, but only 79 percent said they believe in God.
Although American students have grown up in a culture influenced predominantly by Christian and Jewish teachings, they are inclined to be more eclectic, embracing teachings from a variety of religious systems. Some groups that track cultural trends estimate that although a high number affirm their interest in spirituality, 30-40 percent of students entering college now have never opened a Bible or been in a church.
This is definitely unique in our American heritage. Their spiritual seeking takes many shapes not necessarily Christian, but there is definitely a rise in interest in Christ and what he taught and how he lived his life. Maybe the huge crowds at the The Passion of the Christ give evidence of this.
Students getting involved in Christian collegiate ministry are inspired to follow people who speak with authority and who introduce structure into their often fractured lives. This includes both a desire for healthy and strong family connections and some sort of spiritual connection with a Creator who cares about them and has designed life with order and meaning.
Groups like Breakaway in Texas and Salt Company in Iowa have literally thousands of students coming together for weekly worship on their campuses. This is unique for our day. This level of spiritual hunger among students has not been seen since the days of late 1800s and early 1900s on our campuses.
If history is any indication, however, the current openness among students will not remain indefinitely. Kelly believes that we have a 10- to 15- year window of opportunity to reach this generation.
Not only is the level of interest among students in spiritual matters at a near all-time high, but students are coming to our universities in record numbers. In Virginia, about 190,000 students are currently enrolled in four-year colleges and universities. Current trends in student enrollment have fueled speculation that the student population within the Commonwealth will be one of the fastest growing in the United States during the next decade.
While the student population is increasing and students' spiritual interest is surprisingly high, we are not even touching the surface of what we could do for the cause of the Kingdom on our campuses through our Baptist Student Unions. This is not to demean what is being done or what has been done in the past. It is only to say we need to do a great deal more in the face of such potential. Campus ministers need your help if we are to reach our students and disciple those attending our universities.
What can you do to help? I'm glad you asked. First, by checking www.
bsunet.org you will find the names of our campus ministers and information about their ministries. Please pray for them. They possess enormous potential to reach this generation of college students.
Secondly, please contact them with the names of students who will be studying on their campuses. We can do a better job handing off our students to our campus ministry staff. They are a great team of collegiate ministers! Help them do their jobs and minister to your students.
Lastly, if you are near a campus that has no ministry and feel God leading you to help, please contact me through the Mission Board at 800-255-2428, (804) 614-7132 or [email protected].
Special to the Herald
Greg Alexander is collegiate and young adult ministry emerging leader strategist for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.