Reaching the campus is a mission – possibly the American church's most strategic mission field! Why must the Church embrace the campus? What is the potential local, national and global impact of doing so? Consider the following reasons.
The Cry: America’s youth culture is crying for hope. Of 29 million teenagers in public and private secondary U.S. schools1, nearly 75% of them do not have their hope in Jesus Christ.2 Today’s student is searching for relevant life. Today’s educators also need support. Even the U.S. Department of Education has publicly clarified and affirmed the vital role that “faith-based” organizations play in meeting the needs of today's students.3 The Church must present the relevant hope of Jesus Christ to the campus community. Why? Because Jesus said, "Go"4 to everyone, everywhere.
The Prospect: Because of attendance guidelines in America, elementary and secondary schools are the one portal through which virtually all members of our society pass. God is funneling His field of harvest through these schools, providing a rich mission field just outside the front door of churches in every community.
As a result, “harvesting” in this secondary schools “field” builds the Kingdom of God and local
congregations, by building redemptive relationships with students and adults. Here’s how:
Students pay attention to the love demonstrated when youth workers, parents, educators,
coaches and mentors, care for them and their campus.
The Church is called to “go” to the need, not wait for it to come to us. By going to the local
school, the need is encountered, not merely acknowledged.
By embracing the campus, church leaders model for their youth and adults the practical
lifestyle of “salt and light” outreach demonstrated by Jesus and taught in Scripture.
The Opportunity: God commands His Church to love people – and that includes the local campus community. The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of free speech to student citizens. In the providence of God, the campus community has opened the door for Christian students and the Church to be an active part of impacting students’ lives on campus. The Church has a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to call and equip its teenagers and adults as missionaries to one of the most needy and reachable mission fields in the world today.
The Hope: Most Christians make their initial faith commitment to Jesus Christ before high school graduation, through the influence of a friend or relative. When the Church engages this mission field, real needs are met, relationships grow, souls embrace Christ and God is glorified. This is the purpose of the Church and the hope for millions of America’s youth.
The Mission: The campus represents a vast, responsive mission field in our nation today! Let the Church realize the need, opportunity and responsibility to deliver hope to teenagers in our
communities. Why? Because God expects His Church to fulfill His mission – and has opened doors to reach the campus community!
1 United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/c2kprof00-us.pdf
2 Teenagers Embrace Religion but Are Not Excited About Christianity. Barna Research, January 10, 2000, www.barna.org.
3 U.S. Department of Education. www.ed.gov/inits/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html
4 Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 9:36-38
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