The Challenge is immense.
With record breaking freshman class enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, one of the largest single mission fields in West Michigan of 30,000 plus students, staff and faculty across 5 campuses, reaching and discipling a generation who nearly 30% self-identify a “religious nones” is a monumental Kingdom challenge.
So, what are the obstacles?
- Gen Z increasingly distrusts religious narratives, institutions, & religious leaders.
- 60% of college students meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis - a 50% increase since 2013.
- Family instability, online k-12 education habits, and financial stress increasingly lead increasing rates of student drop-out, addiction, and even suicide.
- Changing landscape of West Michigan denominational support and supporting church finances has meant reaching more with less.
- The cost of doing effective campus ministry has sky-rocketed due to inflation, increased student participation, and cost of living increases.
CM is doing great work...
"CM at GVSU is one of the most effective young adult discipleship ministries in the United States today." Through generations of faithful ministry at GVSU, CM has become one of the most compelling and effective discipleship communities for young adults. More and more students are joining the CM community each year, with 600 currently involved in LifeGroups and HouseGroups (small group ministry), over 600 coming to weekly worship gatherings, 240 serving in contexts across the US and Latin America, and hundreds of students equipped as leaders and followers of Christ in their churches, homes, non-profits, businesses, medical centers, schools, and more.
...and you can sEE THE IMPACT!
- Over 700 students participate in some form of discipleship as a part of the CM community. 600 participate in LifeGroups or HouseGroups and over 500 worship at the Well weekly.
- Student leaders, disciples making disciples, have increased from 83 to 133 in the last 4 years.
Lynnae's Story
"Although I said that I wanted to go to church, I never did. I believed that God didn’t love me and never would. How could he after everything I did? After rejecting his love? I spoke to my RA and she told me about the Well. I kept saying to myself, “yeah that sounds cool. I should go.” But still didn’t.
Until, one night around early November, I felt this sudden urge to just try it out and see what happens. I went and cried the whole night. What was being preached was exactly what I needed to hear at that place in my life. I decided I wanted to start this journey of rebuilding my relationship with God. I joined a life group and googled “types of bibles” and bought my first one."
Until, one night around early November, I felt this sudden urge to just try it out and see what happens. I went and cried the whole night. What was being preached was exactly what I needed to hear at that place in my life. I decided I wanted to start this journey of rebuilding my relationship with God. I joined a life group and googled “types of bibles” and bought my first one."
How does CM disciple students?
Students work through a variety of our discipleship pathways.
- The Well
- Life & House Groups
- Ministry Teams
- Spring Break Service Trips
- Leadership, Internships & Residencies
We are so grateful for our mission support community joining us in the mission!
In order to reach and disciple one of the single largest mission fields in West Michigan, Campus Ministry launched a new partnership model - The Mission Support Community! If you're interested in joining one of the Mission Support Teams, email us for more information!
Join us in Prayer
We invite our mission support teams, partnering churches, financial partners, and alumni to pick up the baton during this summer’s Fresh. Forward campaign. Our prayer support has spiritual power and effect, and the Holy Spirit can also direct us to action that advances God’s Kingdom mission at GVSU.
Dates: June 1, 2024 - September 8, 2024
June: Spiritual and Physical Rest of the CM Staff
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28
Week 1 (June 1-8): Pray for the CM staff to find rest and restoration over the summer.
Week 2 (June 9-15): Pray for spiritual renewal for CM staff, board, and student leaders.
Week 3 (June 16-22): Pray for the health and safety of the entire team as they travel, work, preach and vacation.
Week 4 (June 23-30): Pray that the Holy Spirit would renew their passion and sense of calling.
July: Returning Students and Student Leaders
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
Week 1 (July 1-6): Pray for returning students to have a renewed passion for Christ and reach their peers with His love.
Week 2 (July 7-13): Pray for student leaders to be empowered to share the Gospel as they deepen their relationship with God.
Week 3 (July 14-20): Pray for unity and community among the returning students.
Week 4 (July 21-27): Pray for the new student leaders, that the Holy Spirit will equip them powerfully to build the Kingdom of God on campus.
Week 5 (July 28 - August 3): Pray for CM's plans and strategies for the year, that they will be effective in reaching the Freshman class.
August: Incoming Freshmen
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19
Week 1 (August 4-10): Pray for incoming freshmen to have a smooth transition to college life. Move in day is August 23!
Week 2 (August 11-17): Pray for freshmen to encounter Christ and find community in the ministry.
Week 3 (August 18-24): Pray for the ministry's outreach and events to connect with new students.
Week 4 (August 25-31): Pray for the spiritual, emotional, and academic well-being of the incoming class.
September: Students Far from God
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” - Romans 10:14
Week 1 (September 1-7): Pray for students who are struggling with their faith or have drifted away from God.
Week 2 (September 8): Pray for a powerful start to the new academic year and for God to move in the lives of the students.
Dates: June 1, 2024 - September 8, 2024
June: Spiritual and Physical Rest of the CM Staff
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28
Week 1 (June 1-8): Pray for the CM staff to find rest and restoration over the summer.
Week 2 (June 9-15): Pray for spiritual renewal for CM staff, board, and student leaders.
Week 3 (June 16-22): Pray for the health and safety of the entire team as they travel, work, preach and vacation.
Week 4 (June 23-30): Pray that the Holy Spirit would renew their passion and sense of calling.
July: Returning Students and Student Leaders
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
Week 1 (July 1-6): Pray for returning students to have a renewed passion for Christ and reach their peers with His love.
Week 2 (July 7-13): Pray for student leaders to be empowered to share the Gospel as they deepen their relationship with God.
Week 3 (July 14-20): Pray for unity and community among the returning students.
Week 4 (July 21-27): Pray for the new student leaders, that the Holy Spirit will equip them powerfully to build the Kingdom of God on campus.
Week 5 (July 28 - August 3): Pray for CM's plans and strategies for the year, that they will be effective in reaching the Freshman class.
August: Incoming Freshmen
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19
Week 1 (August 4-10): Pray for incoming freshmen to have a smooth transition to college life. Move in day is August 23!
Week 2 (August 11-17): Pray for freshmen to encounter Christ and find community in the ministry.
Week 3 (August 18-24): Pray for the ministry's outreach and events to connect with new students.
Week 4 (August 25-31): Pray for the spiritual, emotional, and academic well-being of the incoming class.
September: Students Far from God
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” - Romans 10:14
Week 1 (September 1-7): Pray for students who are struggling with their faith or have drifted away from God.
Week 2 (September 8): Pray for a powerful start to the new academic year and for God to move in the lives of the students.
The fresh forward prayer...
Lord of the Harvest, we come before You today with hearts full of hope and expectation. We lift up this summer’s "Fresh. Forward." campaign at CM@GVSU. Lord, may this campaign spark a spiritual awakening for the entire GVSU community igniting a fire in their hearts that cannot be extinguished.
We pray for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit, transforming lives and drawing the lost back to Your loving embrace. Give the student leaders and CM staff a renewed sense of purpose and passion as they work to reach their campus for Christ.
Lord, we also pray for the financial provision needed to fuel this important work. Open the hearts of Your people to give generously, that the resources required to minister effectively may be supplied. Let no good thing be hindered due to lack of funding.
Heavenly Father, may the "Fresh. Forward." campaign be a catalyst for revival at GVSU and beyond. Use it to raise up a generation of passionate disciples who will go forth and proclaim the life-changing power of the gospel. To You alone be all the glory, honor, and praise. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
We pray for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit, transforming lives and drawing the lost back to Your loving embrace. Give the student leaders and CM staff a renewed sense of purpose and passion as they work to reach their campus for Christ.
Lord, we also pray for the financial provision needed to fuel this important work. Open the hearts of Your people to give generously, that the resources required to minister effectively may be supplied. Let no good thing be hindered due to lack of funding.
Heavenly Father, may the "Fresh. Forward." campaign be a catalyst for revival at GVSU and beyond. Use it to raise up a generation of passionate disciples who will go forth and proclaim the life-changing power of the gospel. To You alone be all the glory, honor, and praise. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.