Adventist Christian Fellowships on Public University Campuses
Having attended an Adventist university, I never expected much spiritual support from a public university. However, just after my second week at Kennesaw State University, my friend invited me to join a Bible study that was held every Wednesday. I was surprised to find other Adventists on campus. This led me to the ACF Connect leadership conference.
February 24-26 I attended the Adventist Christian Fellowship Connect Leadership Conference at the University of Tennessee of Knoxville. ACF is a program targeting Adventist students on non-Adventist campuses. Its goal is to help encourage and nurture spiritual growth, eventually leading to evangelism towards others. ACF has different chapters set up in many universities across the United States.
Being a Christian in a secular setting is not always the easiest thing. In such places, religion is often seen as ignorance and close-mindedness. Students at non-Adventist institutions will be exposed to an environment that challenges their beliefs. The environment includes drinking and partying. On top of that, as Adventists, there comes the issue of keeping the Sabbath. Students have the temptation to attend Friday night sporting events or feel an academic disadvantage by not being able to study on Saturdays.
Despite all of this, several universities are working to meet the needs of Adventist students and connect with other non-Adventists on campus. Kennesaw State University’s leader Daniel Kim leads out in weekly Bible studies, where food is also provided. Currently they are studying the book of Romans. In addition, at the beginning and end of the semester, the group goes out to a local restaurant for trivia night.
Sean Kim organizes a weekly Bible study and fellowship dinner for the students at Emory University. On top of that, rides are available to local churches on the weekends. At the University of West Georgia, Oliver Duah plans several outreach activities, fellowship opportunities, and Bible studies. Among these are the water ministries, snack ministries, and biweekly Bible studies held on Mondays and Wednesdays. Elaine Ngwenya serves as the leader of the Adventist Students for Christ at the University of Georgia. There are weekly Bible studies, campus church services, potlucks, and outreach activities available for the students. These are just a few of the many campuses that have Adventist groups.
I was surprised to learn that, despite the small number of Adventists on different campuses, these young people are on fire for God. It was encouraging to hear all the different ministries the ACF chapters at each of the universities were involved in. Although there are difficulties such as low participation and problems with school politics, the members of these groups find encouragement in each other and work to really represent Christ.
ACF has several other events coming up. “Campus Catalyst” aims to teach people how to start an ACF chapter on their own campuses. This takes place in Greensboro, North Carolina on March 3. Also, the First National ACF Conference is going to take place at Columbia University in New York from April 13-16. For more information about ACF visit http://www.acfgcc.org/
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Esther Lee is a graduate from Southern Adventist University with a degree in Biology. She is planning on attending Loma Linda University this fall. She is from Atlanta Korean Church.