DAVIS — For many college students throughout the nation, August signifies the beginning of a new semester. Collegiate Week, a national event hosted at Falls Creek, helps students start the school year with a renewed mission and purpose. The event aims at mobilizing this generation to be Kingdom builders in their homes, on their campuses and to the ends of the earth.
This year 1,900 college students and collegiate ministers participated – the highest attendance in several years. In all, at least 24 states were represented with attendees coming from as far as Alaska and Hawaii as well as Canada.
Mark Robinson, Director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) for Louisiana Baptists and chairman of the Collegiate Week planning committee, notes, “Collegiate Week at Falls Creek was a profoundly blessed and Spirit-filled gathering where God moved powerfully among students from across the nation.”
Messages from Timothy Ateek, Julius Tennal II and Jeff Iorg explored the believer’s calling, identity and mission and offered opportunities for students to respond however God might be leading them. Other services included a panel discussion on mental health and exhortations from the SBC’s two primary sending agencies – the North American Mission Board and International Mission Board. Four SBC seminaries were also on hand to meet with students throughout the week.
Attendees also raised more than $10,000 to support collegiate ministry in emerging regions – areas of the U.S. and Canada with minimal gospel presence. Ken Harmon, Director of Northwest Collegiate Ministries in Oregon and Washington, said, “I think (this offering) is a testament of this generation’s commitment on a personal level to see the gospel movement spread on campuses throughout North America by going and giving.”
Terry Thomas, BCM Director at Rose State College, testifies to the Spirit’s work among students in his group. “Two of our students met with IMB personnel to begin the Journeyman application process, another is looking into a missions residency program she learned about, and two others have decided to go on to seminary after they finish at Rose State.”
“These are not just ‘camp high’ commitments,” notes Thomas. “These students have been praying about these things but got that extra affirmation and encouragement they needed to move forward. It’s been a great week!”
In addition to breakout tracks for students and leaders, Collegiate Week offers a track specifically for those exploring a call to ministry, with nearly every session packed to capacity this year. Robinson states this is “a clear sign of hunger for biblical truth and leadership development.”
Through praying, giving and serving, Oklahoma Baptists play a key role in helping Collegiate Week accomplish its goal of mobilizing a generation. “We are deeply grateful to Oklahoma Baptists for their generous investment in the next generation of ministry leaders,” says Robinson. “Your hospitality and commitment to Falls Creek continue to shape the future of the Church in America.”
