Leading City Campus Movements 

College is the still the most strategic and effective time to reach people with the gospel and to develop a trajectory of discipleship and leadership for the church in our world.  The number of college students in the United States is at an all time high of 21 million.  In New York City, the City University of New York (CUNY) has grown 13% in the last two years, from 230,000 to 260,000 students.  This is out of a total of approximately 650,000 students in all five boroughs.  Yet, the combined number of involved Christian students on campuses across New York City is barely over 10,000.  This level of involvement is repeated in many major cities across the U.S., yet there are extremely hopeful signs that this could be turned around.

Although there are no current examples of success and effectiveness among the leading campus ministries in major U.S. cities, there are seeds of hope inherent in the spirit of every laborer in this field. While the current campus ministry in cities may not equal the size and impact that is currently seen on a few of the larger more urban or rural campuses, there is great effort and prayer.  There are also emerging examples of greater success in settings with longevity of campus staff, where resources are being successfully raised up and where contextualized ministries are being supported. The model of local Boards of Advisors who help raise up resources, lend stability through changes in leadership, and help translate national programs into the local settings of the City, is one example of helping overcome barriers.

During the first Movement Day in 2010, the Campus Movement Track examined the ministry obstacles in major cities.  This year we will hear examples of success on campuses in major city settings and consider possible models for more effective ministry.  We will take a look at contextualized ministry philosophy and how scope and focus are both critical.  Gabe Lyons, author of The Next Christians, will help us look forward at the next generation of the church in Western Society, and why he is optimistic.

Vision:

Within five years, we would like to see several significant examples of campus ministries in major cities equaling the size and impact that is currently seen on a few of the larger more suburban or rural campuses across the country. We would also like to see a significant increase in the numbers of staff and interns who are racially diverse working fulltime in campus ministry in major cities.

Objectives:

·     Examine the current reality in campus ministry in metro areas, and identify common barriers to campus ministry in large cities.

·     Hear from a Panel of Leading Campus Ministry practitioners regarding fresh thinking on campus ministry in the context of major cities.

·     Learn about research into our current effectiveness in New York City and how we can use data in prayer and coalition building.

·     Engage in round table discussions across organizations including Campus Crusade for Christ, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Navigators, Campus Renewal Ministries, and others.

·     Network and collaborate around new ways to accelerate collegiate ministry in urban centers.

Track Speakers/Panelists:

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Larry Christensen, Executive City Director for Campus Crusade for Christ, NYC

Larry Christensen is the Executive City Director for Campus Crusade for Christ in New York City. Larry and his wife Deb have been in the City for fifteen years and with Campus Crusade for Christ for 35 years. They have four sons, and one grandson.

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Gabe Lyons, Author of the Next Christians and Founder of Q.

Gabe Lyons is the author of The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America and the founder of Q—a learning community that mobilizes Christians to advance the common good in society. Additionally, he is the co-author of UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity and Why It Matters, a bestselling book based on original research that revealed the pervasiveness of pop culture’s negative perceptions of Christians. Prior to launching Q, Gabe co-founded Catalyst, a national gathering of young leaders. His work represents the perspectives of a new generation of Christians and has been featured by CNN, The New York Times, Fox News and USA Today. Gabe, his wife Rebekah, and their three children reside in Manhattan, New York 

Track Design Team: