Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) is the organization officially recognized by the North American Division that ministers to scores of Adventist young adults who attend public educational institutions. We encourage those churches that are located near a public university or college to consider starting an ACF chapter to reach out to Adventist students who might be attending that university or college.
Ron Pickell, speaker for GODencounters weekend and public campus chaplain at University of Southern California, Berkeley, heads ACF for the North American Division. In an article entitled “What College Students Look for in a Church…” in the September 20, 2007 issue of the Adventist Review he shares some basic things churches should consider when it comes to their young people who are attending college.
Provide a Christian community. Students are looking for a church that can provide friendship and welcome them in a warm Christian atmosphere by extending personal invitations and encouraging words. A delicious home-cooked meal is always appreciated by students who are far away from home.
Give them a chance to get involved with the church mission and program. Statistics from surveys of today’s millennial generation show that students are looking for ways to serve and opportunities to give of themselves.
Offer them spiritual friendships with fellow young adults who will provide deeper relationships than they are often able to develop in their dorms, in class, and on campus. The local church is often the place where students can make contact with other Adventist students.
Become spiritual mentors. Students need this in fellow church members, and they need a pastor who will journey along with them in their secular college experience by providing answers for how to negotiate the spiritual and emotional challenges they are facing in the paradigm shift of college life.
Give students a place where it is safe to be a college student—a place where they can make mistakes and still be understood, accepted, and welcomed by their church family the next Sabbath without ridicule or shame. A church of such understanding is not only one they will come back to – it is also a place where they will feel safe to bring their friends.
Want to start an ACF group in your area? Sign up for an account on the ACF website, www.acflink.org. There is helpful information on starting an organization connected with your local college or university.
At the time of article publication, Bill Wood was the Atlantic Union Conference youth, Pathfinder, and Adventurer director. He is now retired, but involved in various Pathfinder and Adventurer events, as well as camp ministries.
