Fall Ministry on the Front Range
We kicked off our fall outreach at the School of Mines in mid-August. For four days, we set up in the quad, engaging students through surveys about their personal experiences with Christianity. We asked about their beliefs, their doubts, and what kind of community they had—or hadn’t—found on campus. Our goal was to invite them into a deeper sense of belonging, a place where they could encounter Christ and a community that would walk with them in faith. We left the students at Mines to continue on with building those relationships with both the new freshmen and others who were searching for something more.
Afterward, we moved on to the University of Denver, using the same approach. With the help of a partnership I’ve been working on for several years with a local Chick-fil-A, we had incredible success connecting with students who were searching for a Christian community to call their own. The partnership allowed us to provide food, which helped attract students and foster meaningful conversations over shared meals. It was a blessing to see students light up as they found a space that felt like home.
At the end of the month, we hosted a three-day retreat in the mountains. The retreat gave students the chance to slow down, spend time with God in the beauty of His creation, and strengthen new friendships. We spent time in worship, prayer, and listening to God’s Word preached. We pray that this was a refreshing time for students and they left with a deeper connection to Christ and Christian students across the Front Range.
One challenge we've encountered this fall is the noticeable lack of men getting involved in our outreach efforts. Despite having a strong turnout overall, the majority of students who have engaged with us, both at Mines and DU, have been women. While we're grateful for the vibrant and active community forming among the women, we can’t ignore the absence of men, who are equally in need of spiritual growth and fellowship. This imbalance is concerning, as it leaves a gap in creating a holistic, Christ-centered community where both men and women can grow in their faith together. We’re praying and actively seeking ways to reach more male students, helping them see the value of being part of this community and the importance of pursuing Christ alongside their peers.
Earlier this month, Rachel and I met with the Spiritual Life Director at DU. To our surprise, she shared her concerns about a growing anti-Christian sentiment on campus. She asked if our students had experienced any hostility, whether from professors, roommates, or peers. This caught us off guard, as we had thought it was something only fellow Christians were noticing. Hearing this concern from someone in such a significant role felt like a moment of God’s favor, affirming that we weren’t alone in recognizing the challenges Christians are facing on campus.
In light of this, our work feels even more urgent. As we continue this fall, we are praying that our efforts will help foster a strong, Christ-centered community on campus—a refuge where students feel supported and safe to rely on one another, especially when facing the challenges of life and faith.
Please keep us in your prayers as this journey unfolds. The students are navigating what it means to follow Christ in an increasingly challenging environment, and your support is vital. Maddie, Lewis, and I deeply appreciate all of you.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
