Campus Ministry Basics

Intro to Campus Ministry
What is Campus Ministry all about?  So glad you asked.  We'll cover the Common Mistakes people make when thinking of campus ministry, the basics ideas of Campus Ministry and where to Get Started.

The Goal
You must decide what 's important to you.  Campus ministry will happen when you decide it will happen.  See the Personal Preparation Area for more on this, but to break it all down for you, committing to reach students on your campus will mean incredible sacrifice and it will mean incredible fulfillment.  Reaching people is why you're here--otherwise God would have killed you when you accepted Christ as your Savior!
The goal in campus ministry is simple.  It is that every student would have a chance to make a real choice about accepting or rejecting Jesus before they graduate.  They must hear his message.  They must see him living in you.  
It's why God has put you on Your Campus.  It's Your Responsibility.  It's the heart of Your Mission. 

Common Mistakes
There are a lot of misconceptions of what campus ministry is all about. Some people think it means "Bible Clubs"--it doesn't.  Christian campus clubs are a great opportunity and can be a great tool, but there can be a Christian Club at a school where real ministry isn't happening.  Some clubs drive people further away from Christ because the focus is all wrong.
Praying for your campus is the key to reaching your campus, but you also need to put action to prayers of faith.  Faith and action work like the wings of an airplane -- both wings are important, both wings are needed to fly.  To only pray is like trying to fly with one wing, you'll never get off the ground.
Some people think that campus ministry is really unique, it isn't.  It's communicating the gospel to people who need Jesus and being His representing Him the best way we can.  The methods on campus maybe different, but the goal is the same.  The legal issues are complicated sometimes, but loving people is not confusing.

Campus Ministry is . . .
Campus ministry is students reaching students with the message of Jesus.  However, wherever, and whenever you can you should be making His truth known.  It's why you are here.
There are many unique methods that can be used in campus ministry.  Christian campus clubs are a great resource.  There should be one on every campus.  If there is join it.  If there isn't start one.  If you already are part of a club but real ministry isn't happening, you've come to the right place.  Check out our Campus Clubs area for all kinds of help.
One-on-One evangelism is probably the most important aspect of campus ministry.  Visit our Leading someone to Christ area for all kinds of info on sharing your faith one on one.
There are many strategic ways Christian student can reach out to other students on their campus.  See our Outreach area for some of them.
Christian students can be a witness in their studies through speeches, project and more.  Kill two birds with one stone.  You have to do your school work, why not use your classroom for Christ.  Go there.

Where do I start?
Identify.  You must first make it clear to people that you are a Christian.  This will help both you and others.  You will find it easier to stand up to peer pressure and to witness one on one when people already know you are a Christian.  Others will know where to find you when they need a Christian.  Non-believers will know where to get help when they need spiritual help.  Other believers will know where to find their co-workers.  
Organize. Labor unions have found that when they get together and work together undivided, they get better work hours, higher pay, benefits and job security.  You start by finding other Christians.  How do you find them?  Well, some of them are hiding, but others are looking for you. 
Find them at "See You at the Pole" (the annual event that millions of students participate in every year on the third Wednesday of September). Find other Christian students from you church! Find others by being clear about you faith.  Give your testimony in speech class.  Wear a Christian t-shirt.  Carry your Bible everywhere.  Merely not cursing every other minute will usually make you stand out.
If you can't find other Christians, make your own!  Sure Lead Someone to Christ.
What Now?
We have all kinds of tools available.  This site gives you everything you need to Start a club.  There are lessons in leading someone to Christ. We have ideas for Creative Outreaches you can do and more.  Also, visit our resources area where we have tools you can get.