There is a well known song by James Taylor where he dreams about going to "Carolina". Well that is exactly where our God path has led us. We recently received and accepted an invitation to minister as US missionaries through Chi Alpha at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. As many of you know, we attempted to return to South Africa to pioneer a university ministry there with the national church. During the course of that effort, two things became increasingly clear: One, our passion for reaching the next generation of America grew stronger and stronger. Two, the large budget required to return to South Africa was not coming in.
In consultation with our missioanry leadership, we re-affirmed our desire to minister on the university level. It was then mutually decided that the open door was here in the US. Following that discussion, we began to engage the US missions department of the Assemblies of God, and their ministry to universities--Chi Alpha.
The long and short is that after much prayer, fasting, and listening, God led us to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It is the nation's oldest public university, and home to roughly 28,000 students.
There is an existing Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship of about 35 students. It is our desire to partner with with them and see the impact in students' lives grown. The university is a key strategic point for reaching youth, and America as a whole. Where else can you reach parents before they become parents? Reach business leaders before they lead their companies? Reach teachers before they teach? Or reach leaders before they lead?
For many students, it is the first time they are on their own, making their own decisions without any supervision. They are experimenting with their identity. They are being taught new world views. They are looking for a community of relationship. It can also be a very challenging time for faith. The Barna research group estimates that 6 out of 10 teenagers attend a church gathering on a weekly basis. However, by age 30 only about 31% attend a church gathering.
At a time where many of us are lamenting the moral and religious decline of America-- led largely by the youth-- there is no better place to enter the battle for souls than in the place where youth are defining themselves and the world around them--the university.
We have a goal of moving to North Carolina in December in order to be in place for the beginning of the second semester. We'll receive our new budget at the end of September. As soon as we have 100% of our budget pledged, we'll be cleared to make the move. We'll need everyone's help; but we also trust that God will make a way.
