Chi Alpha (kai ál-fah) Christian Fellowship, the collegiate missional arm of the Assemblies of God, is staying strong through the summer thanks in part to local churches. With national Chi Alpha reporting only 42 “Church Based” campus groups, there is ample opportunity—in this ministry alone—for local churches to take college ministries under their fostering wing.
A recent survey of 40 college students from 14 colleges and universities evinces that 92% of students attending both a campus ministry and a church prefer to go to church with members of their campus ministry. Students, then, are not only looking to come to church—they are looking to come to church together. Churches in college towns should take advantage of this refreshing knowledge. While the local church can provide campus ministries with needed funds, experiential wisdom, and pastoral oversight, campus ministries can cultivate church ministries by serving and by giving fresh insight on how to reach college students.
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