As campus ministers, this is a question Elliott and I get a lot. And it’s a fair question. With so many colleges in our area, why are we on a campus that is known for its Youth Min department, its Christian activists (ie. Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne), and its commitment to the Christian faith?
We could give you a slew of different answers based on our own interactions with individual students on Eastern’s campus. We could tell you about how, as alumni of Eastern University, we understand the culture of this particular college. We could also tell you about the many ways God opened doors for us to do ministry specifically at Eastern.
But instead, I thought I would share with you a story.
A true story.
Knowing I needed to get some prep work done for tonight’s Bible study, I left our usual “office” (aka the “Jammin’ Java,” Eastern’s campus coffee shop) and ventured to a local coffee shop in the neighborhood. Tucked away in a corner, I was among other lone customers, clicking away on computers and sipping hot drinks.
In walked three college-aged girls. The coffee shop being so closely located to Cabrini, Eastern, Villanova, Rosemont, and Haverford (among others), this was no surprise. I didn’t think much about their entrance, nor their talk of classes and upcoming finals, until I heard some buzzwords to clue me in: “New Testament Class,” “Youth Min Major,” “Theology,” “church,” “Wednesday chapel.” It didn’t take me long to figure out they were from Eastern, studying for this week of finals.
I never saw these girls on campus, but I was happy for the connection. I mused to myself about how much I loved my job and college students, and continued pouring over the Bible for tonight’s study. My intention was not to listen to their conversation, but the coffee shop being small and quiet, it was impossible for me (and others) to overhear.
It began with them discussing pot—both their views on pot (which was mainly, “I don’t have a problem with it”) and their interactions with pot. It moved to their talk of drinking off campus (I didn’t hear much of this part of the conversation because I was engrossed in my own work at the time, but I vaguely recollect them saying something about how easy it was to have access to alcohol off campus). Then one girl confessed to “not being a strong Christian,” occasionally going to church, but not really seeing it as a big deal. Before finally breaking to study, they spent a good deal of time gossiping about a girl they disliked in one of their classes.
I don’t know if these revelations shock you or not. Personally, I was not shocked. Having gone to Eastern, I have long been aware that the same entrapments and temptations that are widely accessible on a secular campus are just as much prevalent on this Christian one. I also thought about the other patrons overhearing this conversation. These girls, whether or not they want to be, are witnesses of the kingdom. In the same conversation came their interactions with pot and with chapel. I was reminded of James’ warning about the taming of the tongue in chapter 4: “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?”
I do not condemn these women. I do not know their personal stories. And very unfortunately, I might never get to know these particular individuals. But I realize that they—and all of our students at Eastern—are up against a confusing world—especially confusing at a college where one would expect to find fervent Christians but instead find a lot of lukewarm beliefs.
Very recently, one of the students with whom I work closely confessed that she had been disappointed since coming to Eastern. She came expecting great Christian fellowship, but is walking away this semester experiencing a lot of complacency. “It doesn’t seem to make a difference in my friends’ lives, so I wonder why should it make a difference in mine?” This experience is one that I have heard directly from Elliott’s testimony. Facing a crowd of people who “confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord” and then do what they want the rest of time really causes one to struggle. Deeply. Where can one turn?
The students are trying to turn to their peers for answers, but are still coming up empty handed and tired. Can it really be only up to the students to lift one another up when they are struggling with the same things simultaneously?
These students need more. They need discipleship. They need a reawakening. They need challenges, encouragements, and someone to walk alongside their journey who can say, “I know. I’ve been there, but I’m not there any more. Let me tell you about how Jesus transformed my life, and how he can transform yours.”
And that, my friends, is a brief look into why Elliott and I minister on a Christian campus.
