Evangelizing University Students: Strategies For Church Engagement

University is a critical time to reach students and introduce them to the Christian community. College students are teachable, available, and energetic, and they are eager to find a place to belong. They are also more available than they will ever be again in their lives. Evangelism can be challenging, but it is essential to remember that God is sovereign over the results. One effective way to share the gospel is by weaving in your personal testimony and sharing how the message of Christ has intersected with your life. Additionally, crowds draw people in, so creating attractional events like raffles or games can be a great way to meet many students and engage with them. It is also crucial to involve college students in the church as a whole, rather than segregating them into a separate ministry. This can be done by having them play in the worship band, lead in prayer, or usher. Finally, prayer is the first and most important step in reaching college students. Praying for specific students, professors, and administrators and partnering with campus ministries can help bring the gospel to every corner of the campus.

Host events to attract students

Hosting events is a great way to attract university students to your church. Events can be held on campus or at the church itself. The goal of these events is to meet as many students as possible and engage with them. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Plan a raffle with free food and music, giving away big-ticket items that college students would be eager to win. This type of attractional event will likely cost money, but it is worth the investment, especially to meet freshmen. They enter college desperate to make friends and find a place to belong, so it is a strategic time to introduce them to the Christian community.
• Set up a giant Slip 'N Slide in the center of campus (with approval from the university). This will create a crowd and draw people's attention, providing an opportunity to engage with students.
• Host a "welcome home" service for students at the end of the semester and/or school year. Involve students in planning and carrying out the service, and hold a church-wide lunch featuring their favorite foods.
• Organize a special study and fellowship group for college students during the summer. Ask the students what format, day, and place would be appropriate, and provide food or invite them to use the church kitchen to prepare their own meals.
• Create a Facebook group for college students from the church to offer online Bible studies, post videos of church activities, and share words of encouragement.
• Invite students to play in your worship band or lead prayers. Involving college students in these ways will increase their awareness of the church and develop their skills for service in the future.
• Organize prayer walks around campuses and pray for specific students, professors, and administrators. Pray consistently and strategically, and encourage others to do the same.

Evangelism through community

On-Campus Events

• Host a talent show with an open-mic, including evangelistic poetry, rap, and other performances, followed by gospel sharing.
• Organise a sports tournament and include Christian literature or gifts for participants.
• Plan a raffle with free food and music, giving away desirable items that students would want to win.
• Set up a fun activity in a central area of campus, like a giant Slip 'N Slide, to attract a crowd and meet many students.
• Host a movie night, with optional Christian-themed discussions afterward.
• Hold a distinguished leadership forum, bringing in Christian leaders in various fields like politics, sports, or the arts, to inspire and share their testimonies.
• Organise an All-Campus Worship event, ideally once or twice a year, centrally located and led by local musicians and churches.
• Facilitate an All-Campus Prayer, preferably student-led and centrally located, where students can come together in prayer and fellowship.

Off-Campus Initiatives

• Invite international students to your home for a meal, providing a welcoming environment and opportunities for Gospel conversations.
• Organise holiday food basket deliveries to families in need, including church information and invitations.
• Serve the elderly in your community by providing services like haircuts and manicures, while also sharing the Gospel.
• Encourage church members to meet with non-believing friends and neighbours, praying for them and seeking opportunities to invite them to church or share the Gospel.
• Host a study group at your church during exam periods, providing a quiet place for students to study and offering refreshments.
• Stamp your church's name and message on affordable items like golf balls to raise awareness of your church's presence in the community.

Discipleship and Testimonies

• Foster discipleship by spending quality time with students, studying God's Word, reading Christian books, and sharing your faith through everyday activities.
• Encourage students to weave their own testimonies into their conversations, sharing how God has transformed their lives.
• Provide opportunities for students to hear the testimonies of others, such as guest speakers sharing their powerful stories of redemption.

Remember, evangelism through community is about building relationships, being vulnerable, and creating a sense of belonging. By investing time and energy into the lives of university students, you can make a lasting impact and guide them toward a deeper relationship with Christ.

Discipleship through mentorship

Firstly, it is important to understand the distinction between discipleship and mentorship. Discipleship starts with Scripture or a biblical principle, taking the time to explain and discover what we believe, why we believe it, and where to find it in the Bible. It focuses on the basic tenets of faith. Mentorship, on the other hand, takes discipleship further by teaching how to apply these principles to one's daily life. It involves assisting others to grow in Christ-likeness by instructing them on how to put doctrine into practice.

Mentorship can be offered in a classroom-type setting or in groups, which can be beneficial when mentors are limited. Group mentoring can ease the burden on individual mentors, provide different perspectives, and make conversations more comfortable.

When mentoring university students, it is essential to invest time and build relationships. This can be done formally through studying God's Word or reading and discussing books together. Informal settings, such as grocery shopping or sharing meals, also provide opportunities for mentorship and discipleship. University students are often more available and eager to learn, making this a strategic time to introduce them to the Christian community and the family of God.

Additionally, mentorship can be a powerful tool for evangelism on campus. When a younger Christian witnesses an older Christian sharing their faith in relationships, some of the anxiety of evangelism dissipates. Having a mentor to support and step in when needed can make evangelism less intimidating.

Through mentorship, we can guide university students in their spiritual growth and help them navigate this crucial season of life. By investing in their spiritual and personal lives, mentors can play a pivotal role in shaping the future impact these students will have on the world.

Prayer and accountability

Prayer:

• Encourage Daily Prayer: University students lead busy lives, juggling academics, extracurriculars, and social lives. It is easy to forget to pray or feel inadequate at verbal prayer. Encourage students to find prayer groups or make time for daily prayer sessions, such as Mass or spiritual practices within their traditions. Daily prayer disciplines, such as the Rosary or spiritual reading, can provide structure and accountability.
• Provide Prayer Resources: Offer resources such as prayer videos, podcasts, or prayer apps to help students develop consistent prayer habits. These can be especially useful for students who feel distant from God or struggle with verbal prayer.
• Integrate Prayer in Daily Life: Suggest integrating prayer into their daily routines, such as praying before studying or joining a campus prayer group. Encourage students to view their dorms as a domestic church, a sacred space for prayer and spiritual growth.
• Foster a Praying Community: Create a community where students can pray together and hold each other accountable. This can be done through small groups, prayer partners, or mentorship programs. Students can also be involved in the church's worship band or leading prayers, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to the church.

Accountability:

• Develop Mentorship Programs: Implement mentorship programs that pair older, wiser Christians with university students. These relationships can provide guidance, support, and accountability as they navigate their faith journeys. Mentors can model wisdom, integrity, and maturity, helping students stay focused on their spiritual priorities.
• Encourage Transparency: Promote an environment where students feel safe to share their struggles, doubts, and challenges. Encourage them to find faithful friends within the church community who can hold them accountable and provide encouragement and support.
• Disciple and Train Students: Life-on-life discipleship is crucial. Organize formal and informal settings where students can study God's Word, discuss books, or simply do life together. This might include sharing meals, grocery shopping, or engaging in everyday activities on campus. Through these relationships, students can learn from one another and be accountable to one another, and put their faith into practice.
• Facilitate Commitment to the Church: Ensure that university students are not just part of a youth group but are integrated into the whole church. This will help them develop a sense of belonging and community, fostering accountability and long-term involvement.

By incorporating these strategies, your church can effectively minister to university students, helping them grow in their prayer lives and providing a supportive community for accountability and spiritual development.

Student involvement in the church

Involving university students in the church is a great way to ensure that they remain committed to their faith. There are several ways to achieve this. Firstly, it is important to recognize that university is a time when students are particularly open to learning and forming intimate relationships with their peers. This presents an opportunity for the church to engage with students and provide a sense of community and belonging. Students are also more available during this phase of their lives, making it an ideal time for consistent, relational discipleship.

One way to engage students is through events and activities that attract large crowds, such as raffles, free food, and music. These events can be held on campus, providing an opportunity to meet and interact with many students. It is a strategic time to introduce students to the Christian community and the concept of the family of God. Additionally, creating opportunities for mentorship and discipleship is crucial. This can be done through formal means, such as studying God's Word or reading and discussing books together. Informal approaches, such as grocery shopping, sharing meals, or having casual conversations on campus, can also be effective.

Another way to involve students in the church is by encouraging their participation in various ministries and activities. Students can be invited to join the worship band, lead prayers, or take on ushering roles. This not only fosters a sense of ownership and involvement in the church but also prepares them for future service in other churches. It is important to avoid segregating students into separate ministries, as this can hinder their long-term commitment to the church as a whole. Instead, fostering intergenerational connections within the church can provide valuable mentorship and a sense of community for students.

Testimonies and personal stories of how God has redeemed individuals are powerful tools for sharing the gospel with university students. When students hear how the message of Christ has intersected with the lives of their peers, it can be transformative and compelling. Furthermore, encouraging students to actively share the gospel with their friends can strengthen their own faith and provide a sense of community and accountability.

Lastly, it is important to recognize that campus ministries play a crucial role in the lives of university students. They specialize in addressing the unique issues and challenges that students face and provide a peer community for support. However, students should not feel torn between campus ministries and the church. Both can complement each other, and students can benefit from being involved in both during their time at university.

Frequently asked questions