Some Ideas to Reach More College Students this Fall

                     " Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18

Reaching more students is not about hoping and wishing. Rather, it is about developing a plan and being intentional in attempting to reach more for faith and discipleship.  Almost no one would say that their ministry is reaching all the students it could or that they desire to reach.  Yet, doing the same thing as last year and thinking more will be reached is probably not likely.

While we must never let numbers determine our success or failure in college ministry, we must take seriously the belief that God cares about every student and that we share that concern.  Are you willing to Do One Thing Differently this year? 

4 Ideas to Reach More Students

1.  If your ministry has maxed out your space, what about adding a second program or event later that evening for at least the first month of school. Or, what about having a "Freshmen Only" fun event or a Survival Tip event the first month prior to your weekly large group event?

If students come and have difficulty finding a seat or finding seats where those who came together can sit, they are likely not to come back.  Crowding is  only fun when students are comfortable being there. Freshmen are looking for fun and friends.

2.  "The first 5 to 10 minutes a person attends an event for the first time determines if they will come back." Can you improve your first 5 to 10?

If that is true or only partially true, what is a new student's first 5 to 10 minutes like at your large group event?  Were they welcomed?  Did someone invite them to sit with them?  Was there music playing?  I am a recent convert to sometimes using "non-religious popular music" playing before an event.  Did the event start on time?  Was the first thing a very upbeat and engaging song led by the band or was it super somber?  Did you get their contact info? Retaining more leads to reaching more.

3.  Adopt a different campus group each week. Pray for them, take a cake, cookies or fudge to them and expresses thanks for what they are doing on campus.

This does two things:  it develops awareness of your ministry on campus.  Do a variety of students even know your ministry exists?  It creates a wider variety of relationships.  God uses relationships.

4.  3 Keys to Church College Ministries Reaching More:

    -Involve the church as a whole in buying into the college ministry. That helps spread the word and usually increases contacts.  Plus, it often leads to more resources being provided.

    -Plan for the start of school event to be church wide such as a special Sunday or on campus move-in or free food.  If your church does a special breakfast/brunch for students on the first Sunday, what about a student testimony in worship or a student band leading worship?  Lots of volunteers can cook hamburgers on campus for Move-In Day as well as carrying boxes.

    -Enlist a wide variety of age categories to adopt, mentor, and invest in students. Students who join can get an "adopted family".  Sunday College Bible Studies taught by a variety of aged volunteers is always a plus.

Adapted from, Reaching MORE College Students:  Next Level College Ministry, that is available at Amazon.com/dp/B0BMW8NPMN.