From the beginning of a Liberty student’s college experience, they are encouraged to get connected to a local church community. When there is so much community on campus, many students wonder why an off-campus community is so crucial.
Pastor Eric Blais of Gospel Community Church said that it is empowering to worship in a room full of young adults who are grounded and confident in who God is to them.
Finding college groups outside of the Liberty bubble can strengthen faith and teach students how to go about seeking community after graduation. The diversity of testimonies, along with the camaraderie of shared experiences of anxiety or stress during formative young adult years, can allow students to realize that they are not alone in their ever-evolving faith journey.
“It’s so important because … the college students are the ones where revivals happen, where missionaries are sent out, where people are going, starting different nonprofits, or churches, where there’s never been churches, because they have the time, the energy, and the passion for it,” said Steven Thomas, young adult pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church.
Gathering with people similar in age can establish the spiritual growth and connection that students desire. College ministries provide a place for like-minded young adults to gather and express their love for Christ. It is also an area that can create lasting community that enables students to continue growing in their faith beyond Liberty.
Connecting with college groups off campus also provides opportunities to connect with the entire church body. Attending local churches provides an opening for fellowship between college students and older generations of Christians. While the older generations can mentor the younger, college students also have the opportunity to share their spiritual knowledge with older believers.
“Because it’s not only just college students getting mentored by older people, college students can pour into all the people and ignite something back …” Thomas said. “So, it’s not just an intake, but it’s also an outflow.”
Closer relationships can be built through smaller groups found in local churches. Churches provide different studies that allow believers to dive deeper into the Scriptures and to spend time together discussing their thoughts and testimonies. Ultimately, the point of off-campus college ministries is to direct young adults back to Christ.
“It’s about being with Jesus, and out of being with him, you’re going to do the most fruitful doing for him,” Doug Kellogg, director of young adults at Timberlake Church said. “They need Jesus.”
Gospel Community Church on Rivermont, Thomas Road Baptist Church and Timberlake Church provide community groups throughout the week at different times.
Gospel Community Church: Tuesdays, 7-8 a.m. and 7-8 p.m.
Thomas Road Baptist Church: Sundays, 5 p.m.; go to the Connect counter for more information on other groups.
Timberlake Church: Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., and last Thursday of every month in the LUOne Lounge at 6:30 p.m.
Walsh is the assistant feature editor for the Liberty Champion.