Extreme Student Ministry . . .

I was just sitting and thinking what would make a student ministry extreme. Most things that we would consider extreme, God expects in a basic everyday believer, yet the world would tag them extreme. So here are a couple of things that I believe would set apart a student ministry as extreme:

A group of students that are totally into God’s word – this would be a group of students that could tell you about their time with God and what He is teaching them through His word. Those that are excited to be finding new things in God’s word they had never seen before or that God is revealing new truths in His word. Students that bring their bibles when they come to church and are eager to flip pages and dig for wisdom. Students that check out what their teacher or pastor are saying to them to make sure they are being taught the truth.

A group of students that are consumed with wanting to see the lost come to Christ – this would be a group of students who have a burden for their lost friends and those students that are not their friends. Students that would talk with other students about how God has changed their lives and how He can change theirs. The greatest love that we can show other students is the love of Christ.

A group of students that tap into the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit – a group of students that take everything they do to God in prayer. Those that will pray for people by name expecting God to work and give the credit and praise to Him when He does. Students that pray for opportunities to share with people around them and pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through them. Those that would pray for God to do miraculous things so that they can point to them and say – God is Real.

A group of students that will put others before themselves – this is ministry and missions in one. In the world we live in, it is easy to get caught up in the “me” society. When we put God and others before ourselves, then we live out loud our relationship with Christ.

A group of students that seek fellowship with their fellow believers – this would be a fellowship that is not exclusive. A group of students that would be open and accepting of all, understanding that we all are God’s creations and that we all are in the same situation – we are nothing without Christ. These students would leave their close friends to make someone new to the fellowship feel welcome.

A group of students that is looking for genuine, life changing worship - an extreme student ministry would never play at religion. The students would never put up with it. They would be seeking real worship with a God that is real to them everyday. These students would be always on the lookout for the next way God would show up and show out.

I am really anxious to see our student ministry go extreme. I’m not sure if I have ever seen an extreme student ministry. I have seen some that came close, but close does not count. An extreme student ministry will make an incredible impact on their campuses and in their families. They will affect their whole community.

Until next time – keep your eyes on Jesus and let’s go extreme.