Briarwood College Ministry
The goal is to create a vibrant community of students being transformed by the Bible, fervently loving one another, and multiplying our lives by sharing it with others.
A Time of Transformation:
The college years are a time of intense transition. Each student is in the process of leaving their childhood and entering adulthood; they are leaving their parents’ house, choosing a career path, and potentially choosing their future spouse. College students are trying to figure out who they are and decide who they are going to be. They are young and open-minded, which means they are willing to learn and change. They want help from others in making these big decisions. For those who have been raised in households of faith, they are figuring out if their parents’ faith is also their own. It’s a formative season, to say the least.
The college years are a time of intense transition. Each student is in the process of leaving their childhood and entering adulthood; they are leaving their parents’ house, choosing a career path, and potentially choosing their future spouse. College students are trying to figure out who they are and decide who they are going to be. They are young and open-minded, which means they are willing to learn and change. They want help from others in making these big decisions. For those who have been raised in households of faith, they are figuring out if their parents’ faith is also their own. It’s a formative season, to say the least.
God Works Through Community:
Both of our college ministry leaders have experienced this personal transformation due to strong Christian communities during their college years. Now, they are actively walking with students just like them as they experience the same.
“Brothers come alongside you on the journey through life. Fathers walk ahead, leading the way forward, frequently looking back and saying, ‘You’re not alone; I believe in you.’ God gave me both, and it changed my life. In college, I had very close friends that God gave me as spiritual brothers and older mentors that ministered to me as spiritual fathers. I try and model much of what I learned in college when ministering to the students here. Remembering how impactful biblical community and discipleship were during that season gave me the desire to make those things a priority in the Briarwood college community.”
– Mark Purser, College Ministry Director
“College was the first time I experienced deep Christian community outside of my family. Praying with and for friends, having deep spiritual conversations, talking about what we believe and why-all of this was transformative for my faith. I had the opportunity to read the Bible with a dear friend and lead her to Christ in college. The joy I experienced through that was something I’d never known before! That fueled my love for evangelism and my desire to share Christ with those who don’t know Him. I want to help our students experience the joy of sharing Christ with others too.”
– Jenna Viets, College Women’s Coordinator
Both of our college ministry leaders have experienced this personal transformation due to strong Christian communities during their college years. Now, they are actively walking with students just like them as they experience the same.
“Brothers come alongside you on the journey through life. Fathers walk ahead, leading the way forward, frequently looking back and saying, ‘You’re not alone; I believe in you.’ God gave me both, and it changed my life. In college, I had very close friends that God gave me as spiritual brothers and older mentors that ministered to me as spiritual fathers. I try and model much of what I learned in college when ministering to the students here. Remembering how impactful biblical community and discipleship were during that season gave me the desire to make those things a priority in the Briarwood college community.”
– Mark Purser, College Ministry Director
“College was the first time I experienced deep Christian community outside of my family. Praying with and for friends, having deep spiritual conversations, talking about what we believe and why-all of this was transformative for my faith. I had the opportunity to read the Bible with a dear friend and lead her to Christ in college. The joy I experienced through that was something I’d never known before! That fueled my love for evangelism and my desire to share Christ with those who don’t know Him. I want to help our students experience the joy of sharing Christ with others too.”
– Jenna Viets, College Women’s Coordinator
Prayer Requests:
The Lord is at work, and we are so thankful! Pray that the Lord would pour out His Spirit on our students. Pray for students to give our ministry a chance in the midst of a culture where a thousand different things are competing for their attention. Pray for godly, wise, older saints to welcome them, care for them, and teach them.
Find contact information at briarwood.org/college.