| Keeping Young Adults Connected: Disciples on
Campus By Katie Hawkins, Past President,
University of Georgia Disciples on Campus
Disciples on campus is a groups of UGA students,
undergraduate and graduate, who gather together weekly for fellowship dinners
or Bible study. Founded five years ago, the group has graduated almost twenty
students, and currently has more than twenty active participants. When asked
“How does Disciples on Campus help you remain connected to the Church?”
students responded with different words and phrases, but every student had
virtually the same answer: The group has provided each young adult with
a strong Christian foundation and close-knit group of friends, but it has
also provided them with the freedom to explore and participate in the many
activities the University has to offer.
Stephen Westbrook of Decatur confirmed that
Disciple on Campus “reaches me in my life, allowing God and faith to exist
where and when I need them. Often students lose their connection with the
church because churches do not cater to the life-style of a young adult.”
A minister in the Athens area explained to a congregation that early Sunday
morning is not always the optimum time for most students to do much of anything,
including worship.
In a recent survey conducted among college-age
Disciples students in Georgia, the activities that were most often preferred
in a Regional young adult program included “fellowship, group worship, and
retreats.” The Disciples on Campus program offers all three of these opportunities.
Anne Louise Marshal, of Kentucky, stated that “the Disciples group at UGA
has been an integral part of keeping me strong in my faith and connected
to other Christians my age. The fellowship dinners help me feel like a part
of a family.” Bryant Gibson of Snellville and a recent transfer student,
described Disciples on Campus as “a group that has been the only thing that
has really increased my faith and connection since Camp Christian.”
Truly Disciples on Campus has served all
of us, whether we grew up together in Georgia or came here for college.
We have grown close together as Disciples, regardless of where we call home.
In addition, this has been a year when we have attempted to expand our energy
and enthusiasm into the Region of Georgia. Disciples on Campus at UGA is
the foundation group for “YADA” and we want to help the young adults across
the State stay connected.
We are grateful to Christian College of Georgia
for its sponsorship of this significant program in our lives as Christians.
|
