"The Gathering at UNCP" - On the Horizon - Part 3

This week I'm sharing with you things that are "on my horizon" - things that are coming up in my life over the next few months that I'm excited about. On Monday I shared about "Commit '08" - Tuesday we talked about what's on the worship horizon and today we talk about...

"THE GATHERING at UNCP". I have had Pembroke, specifically the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, on my heart for more than 2 years now. The following is the result (at least currently) of those 2 years of thoughts, prayers, musings, speeches, messages and leadings.

Beginning on October 19th, Hyde Park, in conjuntion with the UNCP Baptist Student Union, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Robeson Baptist Association, will be hosting a one-per-month, on-campus Sunday nite gathering called, "The Gathering" (how imaginative, huh?). "The Gathering" will meet on 3rd Sunday Nites at the brand-new UNCP Annex - centrally located on campus between the Student Center and The Givens Performing Arts Center

 

Music for the event will be provided by local worship leaders, Narrow Way Band - Mike Pittman will bring the message.

 

The purpose of "The Gathering": a place where all Christians from different groups, BSU, FCA, Campus Crusade and area churches can come together for the purpose of worship (in a context purposely designed to reach students), community, glorifiying God and most importantly, evangelism. "The Gathering" is going to be a place on campus where Christians can bring their friends and allow God to show them who He is. Sunday nites are a great time: not much is happening on campus - we are petitioning God to create a buzz among the students.

 

Our churches are struggling with reaching this generation. Statistics (LifeWay research) show the dropout rate of baptist 18-22 year olds is 70% (!!!!). These aren't ALL 18-22 year olds - these are OUR 18-22 year olds, the ones who are currently attending our churches. Tom Rainer, CEO of LifeWay, states that this is because "church is not essential to them.".  It's obvious that we are not "connecting" this generation and their college years are enormously foundational in the direction of the remainder of their lives. None of us is doing a great job reaching 18-22 year olds (often college students) - we want to see that changed!

 

Prayerfully, "The Gathering" at UNCP will fill a place in students hearts that will show them God's plan for them in this time and begin to show them how "essential" their faith is to their whole lives. And that, also on my horizon, is something that FIRES me up!!!