A Teacher’s Perspective

The first person I see at Bullard Talent for Campus Life Club is Mrs. Marshall the teacher sponsor. She gives up her lunchtime and her room for club. She participates in games, helps to kick start the clean-up effort, and keeps us in the loop with the administration. Teachers are key partners in the ministry. They know the kids really well, help identify student needs and students for leadership.

I recently had the opportunity to ask three teachers, Jenny, Janice and Katie, about their perspective on Campus Life. I wondered why they chose to sponsor Campus Life? I mean, it’s their lunchtime after all! 

Jenny: I consider it a huge blessing! In the middle of my day it is encouraging to see teenagers choose to spend their lunch learning about the Lord.  It is also wonderful to reset my own focus, too. Additionally, as a Campus Life advisor I am given the chance to share my faith in a more obvious way to the students I work with.

Katie: Yeah and times today are so difficult and confusing, it is important to me that there is a safe place to learn and ask questions about God, Jesus, and the Bible.

What have you seen God doing through the ministry this year? Seen anything good or fun going on?

Janice: I’m excited about the growth of our Campus Life Club to include so many unchurched kids and the acceptance they show for one another. This is by far the most popular and well-attended club. The kids are hungry for opportunities to share with one another, ask questions and just have a good time in an environment that is open to all.

Jenny: One of the regular attenders is a former student of mine who was struggling last year with big life questions.  He started attending club this year and through that time I was able to find out he accepted the Lord over the summer as the result of a friend of his inviting him to summer camp and now has grown deeper in his knowledge of scripture as a result of Campus Life.  It is obvious that he is eager to learn more about the Bible and Christ and it is awesome that Campus Life is available for him to do just that.

That’s awesome! Most people don’t get to see what you see. What would you want the community to know about Campus Life on campus? 

Janice: I think it’s important for the community to know that this is student-directed. Our kids are involved in planning activities and sharing their stories in addition to CL staff. I also want folks to know that YFC isn’t tied to a particular church but is a way to connect kids with a church community near them.

Jenny: There are true Christ followers among our student body and they need all the prayer and direct support they can get.  There is a clear attack on faith-based clubs in our community and, while we have to adhere to more oversight and rules as a result, there are still opportunities to reach students on school campuses.  And just like today’s population, there is a thirst for truth from students from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Katie: I want people to know that it is fun, exciting, and kids can ask questions – everyone is welcome!

J.T. Thiesen was my middle school teacher at Computech. He openly loved Jesus, encouraged me to start a Bible study, spoke at our club retreat, opened his room for kids to hang in, and communicated the gospel by his words and actions, especially when kids were struggling. All kids loved him for it too, because we knew it took courage. We knew he cared more about us than putting his own job at risk.

Add these folks to the list of those bringing salt and light into a kid’s world. Everybody has a unique part to play. What’s your part? Identify it and “work at it heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Christian teachers, thank you for being about God’s ministry of love and reconciliation in your job,

For Every Kid,

Jameson