In order to reach collegiates (anyone 18-24) then you have to know where they come from. Our church is located in Houston County with four high schools. A quick call to the board of education revealed that there are 1,479 students enrolled in in the 12th grade. Who is intentionally reaching these students once they graduate? That’s approximately 11,200 collegiates in Houston County that Jesus says are worth reaching because they are made in his image.

The Bridger Generation (coined by Thom Rainer) or Generation Y are the students that the majority of churches have forgotten about. In the good ol’ days the church’s answer was a “college and career” Sunday school. I propose a collegiate ministry in the local church designed to reach the 18-24 year old. A collegiate ministry is not just for college students but is for all 18-24 years olds. I feel that the word collegiate better captures and communicates the culture of this stage of adolescence.

Collegiates are the unforgotten people group within the local church. Ministries to toddlers, preschoolers, children, middle schoolers and high schoolers are found in the majority of churches. But have you noticed how the level of investment and intentionality drops as you move from one phase of life to the next? There exists a ministry void to collegiates in the local church. Then the church picks back up with ministries to adults. Collegiates are left to wander in the desert of a secular culture to be molded by every other influence during the most crucial time of their life. Dr. Tim Kimmel writes that “90% of evangelical children leave the church after high school – and many never return.”

Any thoughts?

There is no greater institution on planet earth than the church. Jesus loves her and died for her. The church is the back-bone for fulfilling the great commission. Jesus commissioned his followers to do three things.

1. Make disciples
2. Baptize them
3. Teach them

Is the local church intentionally making disciples of all collegiates? How effectively?