Articles

2 MINUTE READ

Power of Intentional ConversationsDuring my senior year of college, as I was preparing to graduate with a finance degree and planning to work at a bank in a small town in Georgia, I had a pivotal conversation with my campus minister. He had been a mentor to me for years, and in that meeting, he pointed out gifts in my life that I hadn’t fully recognized. He encouraged me to consider a path in ministry, specifically college ministry. This conversation opened up possibilities I had never contemplated and ultimately changed the trajectory of my life. After graduating, I moved to North Carolina to attend seminary and eventua

Wes Smith, The Summit Church

January 14, 2025

2 MINUTE READ

Offstage with Delvin PikesOffstage: A sneak peek into the lives, ministries, and passions of our EDM '25 keynote speakers. Join us as Delvin Pikes of Every Nation Campus shares his journey from college athlete to campus minister, being led by the Holy Spirit, and much more from his experience. Find the full episode here. SHOW NOTES → If you're looking to connect with like-minded leaders and glean practical insights to elevate your ministry, be sure to join us for the EDM '25 conference. Register here! → "What I Wish I Knew Before My 1st Year In Ministry" (Article by Dr. Delvin Pikes) https://www.vianation

Via Students

January 08, 2025

2 MINUTE READ

Counting What CountsAs college ministers on mission trips or at conferences, we gather students each morning and count. We all have that one student who makes us more like Jesus. We gather the group, we count, and then we leave the ninety-nine to search for the one who is late again, all the while fighting hard to rejoice when we find them, as Jesus rejoices. The point is that we count what is important to us. Some people count their win/loss record on NCAA Football, others count their bank account, and others count countries they’ve visited. For those of us giving our lives so the next generation hears an

Clayton Bullion, Via Students

December 11, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

5 Principles for a Contagious Ministry LifestyleWe live in a world of influencers. It’s an entire category of social media users now–someone whose content goes viral. It’s a person others flock to online because their content and/or personality is contagious. People are drawn to them. Now imagine with me a different kind of influencer. Imagine the student who can’t make it across campus without being stopped by other students. High fives and hugs abound. Imagine someone whom other students seek out when they have a problem. How can I cultivate this kind of student on my campus? How can I help students

Martha Moore, Connexxion Europe

December 04, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

Offstage with Shannon CompereOffstage: A sneak peek into the lives, ministries, and passions of our EDM '25 keynote speakers. Join us as Shannon Compere shares her perspective on the current openness among college students to the gospel, and the importance of collaborative efforts in campus ministry. Find the full episode here. SHOW NOTES If you're looking to connect with like-minded leaders and glean practical insights to elevate your ministry, be sure to join us for the EDM '25 conference. Register here! Here is a link to everycampus.com

Via Students

November 26, 2024

1 MINUTE READ

Equip Student-Athletes to Reach Their TeammatesSince Bill spoke those words decades ago, that quote has become a rallying cry for campus laborers everywhere. It all boils down to this; the college campus is the most strategic mission field in the world. Why? There are millions of students coming and going every year on college campuses. If they were to be reached with the Gospel, equipped, and then mobilized on campus, they would carry that DNA with them wherever they end up after college. These students will all naturally be scattered across the country and world, working in hundreds of different professions. What an opportunity for kingd

Corey Spinks, I Am Second

November 13, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

Caring for Students Before Mobilizing ThemAs a college minister, I've learned from great collegiate leaders and ministers about how to effectively reach our campus for Christ and mobilize students to fulfill the Great Commission. College campuses are strategically important places to reach and mobilize students. Often, we measure the vibrancy of our ministry by our capacity to send students to win souls for Christ. While this is a significant task, our drive to achieve it can sometimes push other important biblical mandates aside. In this article, I will share one such mandate that, in my humble estimation, should guide us alongside o

Robert Rueda, BSM

November 05, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

Offstage with J.D. GreearOffstage: A sneak peek into the lives, ministries, and passions of our EDM '25 keynote speakers. Join us as J.D. Greear takes us on an inspiring journey, revealing how he shifted his focus to cultivate a mission-driven community and invested in multiplying leaders. This episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about leadership and impact. If you're looking to connect with like-minded leaders and glean practical insights to elevate your ministry, be sure to join us for the EDM '25 conference. Register here! Find the full episode here. SHOW NOTES: Born to Reproduce Sermon Gainin

Via Students

October 30, 2024

3 MINUTE READ

15 Second Testimony I grew up in the youth group culture of the ‘90s and early 2000s. We talked a lot about developing your “personal testimony” based on Paul’s conversion story in Acts 26, where Paul shares with King Agrippa about his life before meeting Jesus, his conversion experience, and his life after that encounter. The tension I experienced was that I didn’t have much to share about my life “before Christ.” I have the classic church-kid story of praying a prayer in elementary school and continuing to grow in my understanding of the gospel over the course of

Samantha Barnes, Cru

October 22, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

Offstage with Paul WorcesterOffstage: A sneak peek into the lives, ministries, and passions of our EDM '25 keynote speakers. In this episode, Paul Worcester shares invaluable insights on evangelism and the power of gospel-led movements on college campuses. If you're looking to connect with like-minded leaders and glean practical insights to elevate your ministry, be sure to join us for the EDM '25 conference. Register here! Find the full episode here. SHOW NOTES: Giving a Gospel Invitation with Integrity: https://www.namb.net/podcasts/gensendpod/giving-a-gospel-invitation-with-integrity/

Via Students

October 15, 2024

1 MINUTE READ

What is Your Mission & Vision?Why do you do college ministry? What is your ministry’s specific mission? How do you accomplish it? How do you know if you’re on target? Can you put these things into concise and compelling statements? Getting clarity on your mission and vision is essential for a leader who wants to impact the next generation for Christ. Moreover, putting your mission and vision into clear, concise statements allows you to recruit others to the movement.

Gary Stidham, Baptist Student Ministry

October 08, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

Offstage with Todd AhrendOffstage: A sneak peek into the lives, ministries, and passions of our EDM '25 keynote speakers. If you're looking to connect with like-minded leaders and glean practical insights to elevate your ministry, be sure to join us for the EDM '25 conference. Register here! Find the full episode here

Via Students

September 30, 2024

1 MINUTE READ

What I Wish I Knew Before My 1st Year In MinistryThere is a temptation in ministry to be focused on the results of our efforts instead of the God who orders our efforts. While Jesus certainly gained joy by looking at the impact his death would have (Heb. 12:2), he often told parables connected to seeking him first and how that would bring lasting results (Matthew 6:25-33; John 15:1-8; Luke 6:46-49). No matter how powerful, dynamic, gifted, or impactful our ministry efforts are, God is looking for ministers who minister to him closely (Matthew 7:22)!

Delvin Pikes, Every Nation Campus

September 24, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

Sustaining a MovementIn part 3 the guys talk with Steve Addison and dive deep into the principles that make movements thrive and grow! Find the episode here: https://www.viastudents.org/students/podcasts/movements

Via Students

September 17, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

Leading a MovementIn part 2: "Leading a Movement," Steve Addison shares his multi-decade journey in catalyzing movements and shares the critical role of ordinary people in these movements. Find the episode here: https://www.viastudents.org/students/podcasts/movements

Via Students

September 04, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

Making of a MovementPart 1: "Making of a Movement" is packed with insights that will equip and inspire you as you begin a new year of collegiate ministry. We explore the nature of a movement: the core of a movement, strategy for a mission, and real-life examples. You don't want to miss this kickoff to an awesome, brand new series! Find the episode here: https://www.viastudents.org/students/podcasts/movements

Via Students

August 20, 2024

3 MINUTE READ

3 Reminders During Fall OutreachI believe that the first month of the Fall semester is the most important month of the entire year for collegiate leaders! The quantity and quality of new students that you reach during this narrow window of time has potential the next 3 years (and beyond) in profound ways. The freshmen that you reach will become your future student leaders and staff who will influence your potential for multiplication and movement in the years to come. Not all opportunities are created equal! “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because th

Paul Worcester, North American Mission Board

August 13, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

First Steps to Reaching Greeks on Your CampusAs of 2021, less than 5% of college students in the U.S. were involved in fraternity and sorority life. Yet, due to the connectedness and leadership ability of many Greek students, they are one of the most influential groups to reach on many college campuses. So how can we take steps to reach these leaders? 5 Tips to Set Yourself Up For Dynamic Impact with Greek Students

Danny Points, Student Mobilization

June 04, 2024

2 MINUTE READ

Seasons and Off-Seasons of Campus MinistryGrowing up on a dusty cotton farm in West Texas, we lived by annual cycles. There were…(1) periods of high intensity – planting and harvesting were long, strenuous days with little rest; (2) periods of steady rhythm – summers of “normal days” plowing fields and controlling weeds; and (3) periods of regrouping and planning – winter when you repaired equipment and prepared for next year. During my first few years of campus ministry, it was hard to know how to spend the “seasons and off-seasons” of ministry, how to survive the intense periods of F

Gary Stidham, Baptist Student Ministry

May 21, 2024

4 MINUTE READ

The Power of Identity: Building Fruitful Disciples Who LastHave you ever made a list of your discipleship essentials? What are those key qualities and convictions that you see as non-negotiables to build into the lives of those you disciple? What’s on your shortlist? After 32 years of college ministry, I’m more convinced than ever that identity in Christ must be on my shortlist. From what I’ve seen, the secure laborer who has their confidence, significance, and worth rooted in who they are in Christ are typically more fruitful and last longer than those who don’t. The secure laborer is a stronger leader, better relationally, a

Ted Shimer, The Freedom Fight

June 21, 2023