“To serve and equip local churches to effectively reach and disciple students through vibrant college ministries.” -BASIC College Ministries Mission Statement
My favorite thing about BASIC College Ministries is the heart to connect students on college campuses to the local church! As a student, BASIC played an essential role in teaching me both the value in plugging into a local church, as well as practical ways to get involved.
For four wonderful years, BASIC offered mentors who poured into my life, friends who encouraged me on my journey, and countless opportunities to serve at BASIC meetings. But, like every other college student, once I graduated, I entered the real world. Although I maintained several of the close relationships I had built during my time at BASIC, I no longer had the weekly meetings I could attend. I was entering a new phase in my life: starting my career, getting married, and more. Once again, I needed a place where there would be mentors who would meet me at this stage of my life, friends to encourage me in this new season, and a place where I could use my giftings to serve.
I am so thankful for BASIC on my college campus! It is because of Saint Rose BASIC that I found the church my husband and I have been attending and serving in since 2013. Through this, we have great mentors, close friendships, and get to serve in several areas within the church. We find great joy, fulfillment, and purpose in these things, and thank God daily for Legacy Church, our home church!
As a co-advisor of Saint Rose BASIC, I now get to work alongside the awesome pastors at Legacy Church to continue to build relationships with the students on campus. Here are some practical ways you can strengthen and grow the relationship between the college campus and the local church:
Invite church pastors and other church members to speak at a weekly BASIC meeting
BASIC Sunday
- Have the BASIC group take over the Sunday service at the church (Students can be the greeters, on the worship team, share testimonies. Have the advisor preach)
Adopt a student
- Have a family in the church who is committed to reaching out to 3-5 students by inviting them over dinner or sending an encouraging message throughout the week
Prepare a care package for the Fall
- This can be simple (Example: snacks, gum, and an encouraging note)
Open mic night at the church
- Students and church members
Involve church in fundraising for BASICCON, or other college events
- Pancake breakfast, or a spaghetti dinner where students serve and cook
Providing practical ways for BASIC students to serve in ministries within the church
These are just a few ways you can further connect college students to the local church! Setting a goal of just adding one or two changes a semester to the way your BASIC chapter connects to the local church can make all the difference!