Springfield | A panel of campus ministry leaders will address gospel opportunities among the young adults at Illinois’ many colleges at the IBSA Annual Meeting in Springfield Nov. 4-5. The special focus is one of four highlights on the program that also celebrates the centennial anniversaries of the SBC’s Cooperative Program and Baptist Faith & Message, and the coming retirement of IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams.
The collegiate ministry discussion comes as IBSA is planning expansion through partnerships with multiple churches near college campuses. “College towns” offer unique gospel opportunities as the younger generations living there are demonstrating increased openness to spiritual matters.
The rise of the “nones” may have ended among Gen Z (now college age) and Gen Alpha (entering high school). “Nones” are those who claimed no religious affiliation, which jumped from 5% to 20% of the adult population in a single decade.
“I see more and more college students who are hungry for truth and clarity. They don’t want you to beat around the bush. They just want you to tell them the truth in a clear but kind way,” said Nick Volkening, planting pastor of New City Church in Champaign/Urbana. The congregation has an effective ministry to students at the University of Illinois campus.
Nate Adams will moderate the Nov. 4 discussion.
Also on the platform will be:
- Noah Adams, Park City Church, Ft. Collins, Colo.
- Jonah Christiansen, Salt Church, Bloomington
- Paul Cooper, Marshall Baptist, Church, Marshall
- Daniel Good, Cornerstone Church, Savoy