Walking back on campus, Nathan had butterflies. It had been two months since the last Campus Life club, and he knew that today he’d be meeting new students for the new school year. This was the kick-off event in the quad, and Nathan was feeling excitement alongside the weight of responsibility to help them meet Jesus, and more than a little trepidation and doubt, too. But as soon as he got out there with the students, he felt relief, and only the excitement remained: “This rocks. It’s the coolest thing I get to do,” he thought to himself.
One of the first students he met was a young girl who came up to ask what Campus Life was all about. When she heard that the student leaders and adult mentors were Christians who shared scripture, her face lit up. She was so happy because she said she had been wanting to do something “God-related.”
All the different clubs were lined up in the quad, and at the Campus Life table, the student leaders were engaging kids who had questions. Nathan’s job was to be in the quad, meeting new kids and pointing them to the table. When he stepped away, one of the student leaders named Grace came right out from behind the safety of the table to take his spot and start up conversations. “These kids are gonna crush it!” he thought.
By the end of the day, Campus Life actually picked up more student leaders and at their first meeting they had over 100 students! Recently Nathan sent a devotional out to the student leaders, and one of them replied, “It’s such an honor to be in this position with you guys, thank you for choosing me, I’m so happy!” Already the gospel is being shared, and they’ve had new professions of faith and re-commitments, too.
What Nathan saw that day is a picture of what we are seeing at large as campus ministry restarts; God is moving in this generation, and teens are stepping up for Jesus with joy and courage on their campuses.
In fact, research from Springtide found that Gen Alpha (youth under 15 years of age) are identifying as Christian at a much larger percentage than Gen Z. And belief, as opposed to the agnosticism and atheism which is much more prevalent with Gen Z, was reported to improve happiness and reduce depression (go figure!). This is critical since teens are in a crisis right now of depression and self-harm. According to the CDC’s YRBS survey, 4/10 teens feel persistently sad or hopeless, and nearly 2/10 engage in self-harm.
With more students coming to Campus Life and club gatherings, our team is stretching to meet the need, and that means we need to increase our capacity to serve meals and create spaces for life-changing conversations about Jesus. Right now, we need to raise $9,800 this semester to make it possible. Every gift, large or small, helps set the table for Christ-sharing conversations.
• $15 covers a Cup of Noodles for thirty students (yes, even cup noodles can open the door to Gospel hope)!
• $60 provides a full meal for an entire Campus Life club.
Would you prayerfully consider maximizing your investment this October by partnering with us to meet this need? Together, we can give thousands of new kids a place to belong and a chance to meet Jesus.
Give a special gift today at yfcnow.org/table and help set the table for eternal impact.
Teens are interested in Jesus right now, and we can meet them with positive, caring mentors, Christian community, opportunities to explore and practice faith, and the light of Christ amidst a culture of darkness. May we step out alongside these student leaders with joy and courage.
Together,
Jameson | Executive Director
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
YFC’s Ministry Leaders Conference
Join us for equipping, encouragement, and community as we lean into YFC’s Rally Cry: every leader will know, experience, and share God’s Story. Together we will explore how the Gospel transforms us personally and empowers us to reach the next generation.
Registration includes free merch, coffee, and donuts to fuel the day. Whether you are a youth minister, student leader, or someone who cares about the next generation, this is for you!