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"What can we do to help?"
This question is asked often from those who come to realize the importance
of campus ministry in Nebraska. Below are ideas for those desiring to
help in small, large, or ways anywhere in between. Cash donations are
always welcome and appreciated, but there are many ways to offer help other
than money:
Individuals
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Consider sacrificing a week of vacation in
the spring (as the CSF students do) to become a sponsor for a mission
trip. It will be a life-changing experience for you.
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Ask your small group or Sunday School class
to make up some small "Care packages" and send (or deliver) to the CSF
ministers for distribution. Little things mean a lot to a student
away from home.
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Pray regularly for the CSF ministry.
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Contact the CSF minister in or near your
town, and invite yourself to a large group gathering. Join in the
Praise & Worship time, and enjoy the teaching and fellowship.
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Make arrangements to donate food for CSF
gatherings, especially the first few weeks of school when there are hot
dog roasts, watermelon feeds, corn-on-the-cob nights, and more.
Are you close enough to come and help serve food? We'd love to
have you stop by!
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Are you a mechanic? The CSF vans are
almost always in need of minor repairs, oil changes, new windshield
wipers, etc.
Church Families
Visiting a new church for the
first time can be exciting and frightening. Away from home for the first
time, college students hunger for a family. For people who care about
them - their dreams and fears. They live in a fast paced world and
look for solid, authentic relationships. A church that reaches out to
students offering them an environment where these genuine relationships can
be formed (with God, and then with others) is the best thing a church family
can do. Here are suggestions to help that effort:
For churches not in
Lincoln, Kearney, Omaha, or Norfolk
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Have the church sponsor a
work day at the campus house in Kearney to show how much the church
cares about college kids. A great project for mission team, a Sunday
School class, or a small group.
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Feature a college student in
the church newsletter or have them write an article about "being a
Christian on a secular campus."
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Volunteer one of your
ministers to speak at a CSF gathering or teach one week's Bible study.
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Recruit from within your church family
sponsors to travel on Spring Break mission trips. You'll never
find a better way to spend a week's vacation.
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Invite college students to
volunteer as a sponsor or family group leader for summer church camp.
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Host a "College Student
Sunday" where the students lead the Sunday worship. Do this early
in the college semester to encourage new students to attend.
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Invite one of the CSF ministers to share
with a Sunday School class what is happening at CSF. Students love
to share their testimonies as well as their musical gifts joining with
your Praise team on a Sunday.
For churches in or
close to Lincoln, Kearney, Omaha, or Norfolk
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Ask CSF for the mailing list
from the campus ministry and send out an invitation to church worship
services. We will even print out address labels at your request.
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Ask a college student to
join the church staff as part-time office help.
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Sunday School teachers often
need an assistant - ask a college student.
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Give an Interest Survey to
new college students. They may be willing to serve in the worship
ministry, on a drama team, or help with the Youth Group.
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Offer a college student the
opportunity to give personal testimony during a worship service.
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Include pictures of college
students on the bulletin board where you regularly post pictures of
visitors. Place their name beside their picture.
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Host a special worship
service in a local park for college students. Serve watermelon
afterwards.
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Hang an informative poster
at the local campus house (or on campus) to notify students of the dates
and times of the church family's Bible studies and worship services.
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A Back-to-School Fellowship
Dinner on the first Sunday of the college semester is a great way to
introduce students to the church family.
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Recognize parents of college
students in the Sunday worship service when they come to visit their
son/daughter at college.
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Never let a college student
sit alone in church! If you see a student all alone, sit next to
them and introduce yourself.
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Give each new college
student a Visitor Information Packet about your congregation to inform
them of the ministries and programs of the church.
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Care packages go over great
with college students. Include microwave popcorn, tea bags,
cookies, shoestrings, inspirational bookmarks, Ramen noodles, and more.
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Invite a college student to
join your family for lunch after church. They love home cooked
meals!
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Encourage a college student
to be a guest speaker at a Youth Group meeting or special event.
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College students love to
play on church sponsored athletic teams - softball, volleyball,
basketball, and others.
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Set up a table on campus the
first week of school and give out a can of pop and a packet of
information about your church. There will be lots of interest!
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Ask a college student to be
a guest at a board meeting and specifically ask the student what the
church can do to reach out to other college students.
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A great College Sunday
School class will really appeal to students!
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