Goodbye - University and Bible College Students

When people from your church go to University or Bible College then sadly all too often it is a case of ‘out of sight out of mind,’ but this should not be the case. It is very important to keep in contact with those who are away from their usual fellowship and surroundings.

Every church should have a person who is responsible for keeping in contact with students who are studying elsewhere and to help them find Christian fellowship in their new location. If someone has grown up in your church, why should you allow the devil to pluck them away from God, because it was too much trouble to write a letter and find out how they are? Also, if a member has responded to the preaching and is now at Bible College, don't forget that they are 'your churches missionary in training.'

Nail the Colours to the Mast

Often the most difficult thing for Christians to do at University is to nail their colours to the mast, making a statement to those around them that they are Christians. This is usually best done by attending a local church and where possible the Christian Union.

Backslidden Students

On one evening there was a group of believers who were doing door-to-door visting in an area where most of the houses were inhabited by groups of students. The vast majority of these students who claimed to be Christians attended church whilst at home, but since attending University had not attended a church regularly, or had not found a church yet! They did not attend the Christian Union and sadly this was two terms into the academic year and it appeared to the believers that they had backslidden.

Encourage them in the Faith

When members from our fellowships leave for further study it is so important to encourage them in the faith and to challenge them to stay loyal to Jesus, as temptation lies at every corner. You could send an email, phone them, write a letter and ask them how they are doing.

Ask prompting questions: “What type of church do you attend now?” “What is the fellowship like?” “How is your walk with God?” “What have you been studying in the Bible recently?” “Have you met any other Christians?” “What is the Christian Union like?” “Do you have any prayer requests?” etc.

You don’t need to write or ask all these question at once, but over a period of time they will be beneficial and will definitely prick the conscience of an erring student. It is also very important to inform the student what is going on within their home church.

The Art of Communication

If the church produces a newsletter then it is a good idea to send copies to him or her and also to send a birthday card on the appropriate date. John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as often as you can.”

Keep in Touch

It means a lot to a student or in fact to anybody to realise that people do care about them and that individuals and groups take a genuine concern for them. The church or cell groups should regularly pray for their members who are away for whatever reason.

We should ‘bear each other's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ’ Galatians 6:2.