– Nathaniel Jones
Morning Reflections: 2ND Timothy 2:2
We often trivialize the importance of ministries like Bethel Campus Fellowship (B.C.F.). We often don’t see the weight of the mantle of campus ministry. Often, we don’t realize we have to zoom out to see the bigger picture.
People don’t go to church anymore (even before COVID-19), that’s a fact. So where do they go instead?
College!
Many generations pass through campuses. How do we know this is true? Because so many people have college degrees and complain about them being pointless.
Why does Satan push university on high school students so strongly, especially when in this nation (America), it has been proven a degree is not necessary unless you want a specific type of job or career?
It is because of the original purpose of their design in Greece and similar “enlightened” civilizations: Indoctrination.
God has placed YOU as a leader on your campus to combat the indoctrination of the world’s wisdom with the indoctrination of Christ and His wisdom.
Many pass through college as believers and followers of Christ and graduate as confused believers of the Bible with doubts about the scriptures because of their “newfound” education.
Satan has ambassadors as does the Father above. Satan has ministers as does God. Satan has scribes who write his gospels in the same way God had His people author His word.
Followers of Christ on campus fall into fraternities and sororities, drunkenness, fornication, idolatry, worldliness, confusion, pride, etc.
Many university experiences are designed to expose and lead the youth—but often not to God. The wisdom of the world pushes us to become ambassadors that champion the very things Satan is using to push the world closer to manifesting his kingdom rather than manifesting the kingdom of God.
When leadership gets hard, remember the above factors are reasons.
When your campus fellowship struggles and it seems like something is always happening, this is why.
When it feels like you want to quit and nothing is working, this is why.
When you feel overburdened and like it is all in vain, this is why.
Satan is unleashing every tool to dismantle what the kingdom of Heaven is doing on campuses.
Now the thought that will surface is, “But what about X, Y and Z that seem to be thriving? They are preaching the gospel too!”
Respectfully, they may be preaching A “GOSPEL”, but not THE Gospel. Where there are no conflicts and challenges, you should be wary. The Bible says God prunes that which is bearing fruit so it bears more fruit. It also says that Satan opposes the kingdom of Heaven.
It says the kingdom of Heaven suffers violence. This passage is talking about highly coordinated, well-timed attacks against the very entities establishing a culture of Heaven and displacing a culture of sin. You see, you can preach a gospel that does not displace Satan and he is not opposed to that.
You may be on a campus and say, “There are already so many Christian organizations. Why is BCF needed here?”
I will tell you from personal experience and a simple observation of reality. Even if your campus has 100 organizations that preach the pure and unadulterated truth of the Bible, they cannot reach everyone. These campuses are huge and God is wise with how He fishes. If He has placed you there, don’t look around and see where you fit in. Do what He has told you and Matthew 6 will be activated. He will add to you based on the audience he has assigned you to reach. It is not a competition. If you are there and He has commissioned you to build, you must understand you are to function in your land and He will do the rest.
You may be past campus and transitioning to Alumni status. If this is you, I say this: DO NOT ABANDON YOUR POST!
God did not pull you through all of the struggles, challenges, successes and everything else as a leader and believer of Christ on your campus for you to abandon those behind you. Remember the hardships you endured as a good soldier. You have wisdom, resources, connections and so much more for the kingdom. We often graduate and forget the challenges of our younger brothers and sisters in Christ because we have fallen into the next snare of the enemy—the cares of this world.
You are not an ordinary Christian dear brother or sister. The fact that you are reading this is proof. You are a battle-hardened, well-trained soldier for Christ. There are many brothers and sisters (young and old) who could only hope for the real life experience gained through this journey of leading for Christ on a college campus as you have.
You are well trained and well prepared. Train others. Your campus prepared you for the workplace. Do not hide your faith in the boardroom the same way you did not hide it on campus. Do not forget to pour into your younger brothers and sisters like those before you poured into you.
Do NOT lose your boldness for the sake of career, salary, etc.
Do not hide all that God has given you. Your brothers and sisters still need you. You are VALUABLE to the kingdom, especially now. You carry the mantle of Esther in a kingdom of captivity.
You are positioned in the ears of kings. You are positioned with voices and influence. You exist in a nation where the people hold the power. Scripture says, “If my people humble themselves…”
The Lord says, “Are My people humble?” If the rest of that scripture has not manifested then we have our answer.
Seek the humility that is described in the word in this time which has been appointed to us. How can we usher in the kingdom of Light if we are BOUND and in bed with the kingdom of darkness? You can’t. This is what we are seeing.
“Return to your first love, I will not forsake you,” says the Father. “Do not forsake Me”.
Be encouraged. The weight you feel of leadership is only amplified by Satan. He wants you to quit. He needs you to quit. Souls depend on you! When you step out of position, he has what he needs.
Stay in position!