4 Unexpected Ways Older Christ-Followers Can Help College Students

[intro]At Riv, part of our DNA is to love on college students. But often, we don’t even know where to start.

The good thing? Serving and encouraging college students can be easier than you think…and it starts right at the weekend service. Angie Furtaw, an intern at the MSU venue this past year, explains.[/intro]

1. Talk to us

Yes, this seems kind of basic and unnecessary when you’re chasing your 3-year-old to the bathroom. Meanwhile, we’re just trying to decide on a coffee flavor for the day. Speaking from experience, you wouldn’t believe what a simple “Hello” could do.

It has been a combination of my own fear and another’s insecurities that have prevented major teaching moments to happen. It’s those moments when a member of Riverview’s older community reaches into their small window of time to speak with one of the younger community members that a conversation packed with wisdom erupts. The Lord is faithful in His use of community, so don’t worry about the baby on your hip or the last time you logged onto Facebook. We want your input—we need your input—so if the opportunity arises, follow the Lord’s lead.

2. Be Transparent

College students don’t need another course in “Marriage and the Family.” We need to hear how the argument you and your husband had last night made you feel (honestly), how you sorted it out (or didn’t), and where you found your strength to get keep going. Many of us grew up in broken homes and have no real picture of what it looks like to argue in the context of a Christian marriage. So please don’t worry about impressing us. We desire truth, and we highly regard honesty.

3. Fearlessly Fail

Yep, I am saying that you should fall flat on your face, maybe lay there for a second, and then get back up. Pointing to the curb, you laughingly say, “See that huge divot on the side of the road? Watch out for those! They’re a doozy!”

College students are frozen with fear when it comes to failure. Many of us think one mistake is the end of our career. If we can see that your plans for the future weren’t halted because you failed one college statistic course, then you’ve ignited hope in the heart of a young person.

4. Pray for Us

I can’t help but get excited about prayer! The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5:16)! So, when you pray for our young wandering hearts, know that your prayers hold an enormous wealth of power! Many of the college students on campus may seem dead-set on pursuing the passions of the flesh, but our God is all-powerful, and He is in the business of making all things good! So don’t get discouraged! (Is my excessive use of exclamation point giving you an idea of my excitement?)

There have been times of inexplicable clarity, peace, or conviction where I have felt the power of prayers I’ve requested or made earlier in the day. The hearts of our student body is never too far gone. We would love to know that our church body was lifting us up in earnest pleas for redemption.

We love you, and so we ask, as the body of Christ and as a family, would you lift up these requests to the Most High?

• That summer jobs/internships may become available to students while their hearts would find comfort in their identity defined by the Gospel.
• That the passions of the world and of the flesh would continue to fail them. That they would hunger and thirst for more and find that the only satiable thing is The Creator.
• That the MSU Venue would continue to grow in innovation and compassion. That our ministry would display the attributes of God in our love, truth, creativity, peace, and grace.
• That students would desire truth. That they might dive into the word of God in hopes to know Him and be washed by the word. That the Gospel may sanctify them. That wisdom and understanding would permeate their hearts and minds. That they may know love covers all sin. That they may find stability in the midst of chaos. That they may desire more and more and more…