In ancient times Crossroads where two or more major trade routes intersected became gathering places. They were places where goods were traded, news was shared and information was passed. Paul in his missionary journeys went to "Crossroads Cities". The Gospel spread from there as people went on to other places.
I am convinced there are "Crossroads" on college campuses that we must identify and use. Long ago when I first came to Arkansas State University, students still got mail and received Care packages from home in the mail. We discovered that most students would go to the campus Post Office on their way to their 9:00 o'clock class or their 10:00 o'clock class. So, I would often stand out in front of the Post Office from 8:30 to 9:00 and 9:30 to 10:00....especially at the first of the fall semester or Lunch Program days. I would see students involved in our ministry and they would introduce me to others as they came by.
When we began to be serious about trying to grow our Lunch Program on campus, we would put out signs advertising the Lunch Program at "Sidewalk Crossroads" where as many as four or five walks would converge from different parts of the campus. As the morning progressed, we would move them to different "Crossroads" that more fit that time of the day.
When I went back to ASU as the Acting BCM College Minister, I would eat in the main cafeteria twice a week. I would see core students and meet new students. Campus eating places are Crossroads.
Where are the Crossroads on your campus? Where do students pass by? What is the prime "Crossroads time"? One of my "Rules for College Ministers" is WALK THROUGH THE STUDENT CENTER EVERY DAY. The Student Center is a Crossroad. Utilize it and KNOW the TIMES to be there.
Some are finding Crossroads in different Social Media and the way they utilize it with certain hashtags, belonging to certain groups, etc. "Campus Crossroads" come in all different ways.
Are YOU finding and utilizing the different Crossroads on your campus? Every campus has Crossroads....they just vary campus to campus and year to year.
Arliss Dickerson is a part time college ministry consultant for Lifeway Christian Resources and the author of five books on college ministry available in eBook format at amazon.com. FIXING A BROKEN COLLEGE MINISTRY is available in paperback.
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