Illustration from UMCom.org.

Going to college, technical school, or any higher educational opportunity brings significant change to a young person's life. Students often leave the communities where they have grown up, breaking the bonds with their local church. Finding a new church home that is a good fit can be difficult. It is often easier simply to drop out of church.

Local churches can help young people maintain their connection to God and a faith community. Home church members can encourage them to maintain and grow in their relationship with God, as well as succeed in college.

As young adults venture off to school, we want them to remember their church family at their local UMC and pray for each of them. Start a young adult ministry program, that makes a connection through personal notes, care packages, phone calls, prayer, and more.  

Davis Anderson takes part in Annual Conference 2019. Anderson, of Pierre First UMC, is currently a student at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD. Photo by jlynn studios.

Encourage young adults to establish a spiritual "home base" where they can connect with other students who share their faith and religious background. Find a list of churches and contacts for higher education institutions throughout North and South Dakota here. 

If you live in a community that is home to one of the higher education learning institutions, start or strengthen a campus ministry like the United Methodist congregations in Madison and Spearfish. Apply for a Culture of Call grant or Young Adult Ministry grant. Applications are due July 31.  

Pastor Andrew Gross, who serves at The United Methodist Church in Madison, South Dakota, spends time on the Dakota State University campus working with Campus Crusude, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the football and track teams. He holds small groups, one-on-one sessions, organizes service projects, and worship. Read more about this ministry and watch a video here. 

Spearfish UMC is creating a culture of call to foster how God calls each and everyone. The culture of call at the church has evolved by providing direct support to students in seminary, reaching out to young adults, developing leadership in the youth program and continually welcoming and inviting everyone. 

Rev. Scott McKirdy (right) speaks with college student Allison Galbreath during a picnic event. Photo by jlynn studios.

“Spearfish accepts this responsibility because we can. We have been blessed and surrounded by excellent school systems at all levels, preschools through university. Our congregation understands college students because of our connection to Black Hills State University (BHSU) just blocks away. Our goal is always to connect students into the life of a vibrant, local church. We can do all of this, so we choose to do all of this," said Rev. Scott McKirdy, Spearfish UMC. Read more about Spearfish UMC here. 

Scott and his wife, Colleen, also open up their home on Sunday evenings for college students to enjoy a home-cooked meal and a space to talk about their faith journey. He provides guidance and support over cups of coffee and is always praying and intentional about looking for that next opportunity to serve, to raise up, to mentor, to grow more disciples. Read more here. 

Here are some ideas to keep connected with the young adults headed off to an institution of higher learning with the local church.