CollegeLINES
Jason Smith, Campus Minister Intern
College students face a tremendous amount of pressure. They are transitioning from a world of dependence on their parents to provide their needs, to the adult world where they must become responsible for themselves. Today’s students are balancing school, work, and incredibly active social lives. For those students who live on campus they are learning to live with roommates, make their own decisions about finances, relationships, and entertainment.
They live in dorms filled with all manner of students from countries all over the world and from all manner of backgrounds. Students find themselves under pressures to conform. Students are challenging the way they see the world. They are open and questioning. Here in the Clay-Platte association we have a wonderful opportunity to reach these students with the love of God, and to help them grow into strong Christian men and women.
The Clay-Platte Association has three colleges within our area of influence. Midwestern Seminary has recently begun its bachelors program and has maintained a strong associates program for many years. These students all proclaim the name of Christ already and provide a great resource of committed and energetic laborers for the harvest field. Park University is a nationally renewed University. They have under a thousand students living on campus, but over ten thousand students nation wide. They also have almost one hundred students from all over the world. Christian Student Ministries is working to engage the on-campus students and the internationals. CSM has a strong relationship with the International Student Club, and our own Bible study time. We are engaging the students in the cafeteria to form relationships and develop gospel opportunities. CSM also has a Bible study time where we can challenge students to integrate their Christian beliefs with their daily activities. At Maple Woods College CSM faces different challenges. Community College is a highly mobile environment. All of the students are commuters and are committed to school, work, and the community. The students come and go at a remarkable rate; most of the students only spend two years at Maple Woods before moving on to other schools. These students also need encouragement to take time out of their busy lives to reflect and discuss their spiritual beliefs and to gather together to read the word of God.
Jason
