Choosing a College

So you’re going to college. You’re about to begin a new chapter in life with many privileges and opportunities. Your education and direction in life will be entirely up to you. What you eat, when you go to bed, and what you wear will be your business only. No doubt you’ll meet many intelligent, driven people, and can learn much from them. You’ll be on your maiden voyage away from the harbor of your family.

College also has its unique challenges. For some of you, this will be the first time you have to do your own laundry. You’ll have to learn time-management skills and character building, like doing what’s required of you when you don’t want to do it, and behaving ethically before your teachers and classmates. Also, for many of you who go away to college, you will have to reach out and make new friends. Studies show that it’s very likely these people will influence the course of the rest of your life. Choose them well.

Your college years are a golden opportunity to pursue Christ. Did you know that many top universities in this country were originally established to train missionaries to spread the gospel of Christ? Yale, Princeton, and Oberlin College among others also began with Christ at the helm. The motto of Harvard University was originally even “Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae”, or “Truth for Christ and the Church”.

Jesus Christ is still active on campuses today, and He asks one thing of all of us today, that is, to follow Him. There are two ways to get to Jesus while in college today: a personal walk with Him and together with others.

The gospel of John ends with Jesus saying to Peter, “follow Me.” If you want to love Jesus, take the time to cultivate your relationship with Him. Let Him into your choices, anxieties, and dreams. He loves you, died and rose for you and now wants to live Himself through you. Not to be overlooked: get to know your Bible, which is brimming with God’s promises and nourishment for you. College is your time to follow the One whom you admire and love. Make Jesus your captain.

But not just any flock will do. At Christians on Campus, we recommend choosing a college that has not only a good academic program, but also a strong Christian fellowship that challenges you and provides opportunity for your spiritual growth. Once you join a Christian group on campus, find some older students whom you admire among the members, and ask about their relationship with the Lord.

Look to God for which college to attend. Seek Him in prayer, through Bible reading, and bring this searching of yours to some older Christians whom you trust. Trust us, you’ll find Him.

Matt 7:8. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Choose Jesus in your college years and choose a ministry that will make you grow. These years are golden. Seize them.