Students Discipling Students

There’s a narrative that young adults are leaving the church—but that’s not the whole story.

“We see students becoming followers of Jesus Christ all the time,” said Scott Stark, a minister at Campus Ministry at Grand Valley State University (GVSU).

A Resonate Global Mission partner in Michigan, Campus Ministry at GVSU serves more than 1,000 students every year and disciples more than 200 students in leadership positions. The Well, their weekly worship gathering, welcomes hundreds of students each week.

“My walk was really lonely my first two years of college. I didn’t have a ton of friends who were close to the Lord. . . . I would pray consistently, ‘Lord, I really want a community that loves Jesus,’” said Andee.*

Andee eventually found that community through Campus Ministry. During her time at GVSU, she realized how passionate she was about sharing her faith and discipling others. She felt God calling her into full-time ministry, and she had the opportunity to step into leadership at Campus Ministry.

“I’ve been able to disciple other students as I’ve been discipled and poured into by the staff,” said Andee.

Mentorship and discipleship is an important part of Campus Ministry’s work on GVSU’s campus. Stark said that discipleship is important for students’ walk with Christ on campus right now, and it also prepares them for their future.

“Nobody is here to stay. Everybody is here to move on to the next thing,” he said. “We are equipping students here and now with the tools to do ministry and to be active disciples of Jesus here—and then also in the next season of their lives.”

CRC campus ministries are a collaborative effort. They are supported by Resonate, local churches, classes, and individual donors.

“Every year, we see students’ lives transformed by the good news of Jesus. Then we watch those students who have been transformed reach out to the next generation. That never gets old,” said Stark.

“The Holy Spirit is so alive and active here at Grand Valley,” said Andee.

For more on this campus ministry, see the video This Never Gets Old.

*last name withheld for privacy