Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24 & 25

College campuses have often been called “bubbles” that provide a plethora of resources and entertainment. Christian colleges might even be known as extreme bubbles due to the misconception that they shelter Christians from the world. However, at a theologically sound college, a bubble can be an opportunity to focus on spiritual growth. Covenant students receive biblically based instruction, attend chapel, participate in Bible studies, worship on their halls, and are involved in discipleship. What more could they need? Although students are living in Christ-centered community at Covenant, there is still much to be said about involvement in the local church—more importantly, it is a commandment from God.

“It can be really easy for students to sort of sit and soak during their four years of college and not be engaged in the church—yet these are formative years!” Dr. John Wingard, Covenant professor and dean of philosophy and a ruling elder at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church emphatically states. “They are developing habits that will be very important once they’re done with college.”

Covenant takes church involvement seriously. In fact, Covenant lists Christian community and the church as separate elements of our core beliefs, vowing to be faithful to serve the church with our academic mission. With that said, there are a number of ways that Covenant students participate in the local body of Christ.

Learning from the Body

Covenant students are involved in Bible studies that meet in people’s homes, which make great opportunities for cross-generational relationships. Dr. Scott Jones, Covenant professor of biblical studies and ruling elder at Rock Creek Fellowship Church, describes how students participate in small groups, “They go all over the mountain and off the mountain to spend time in worship or prayer. Kids run around and students get to experience a Christian home, which is something they won’t find by just attending on Sunday.” Dr. Wingard and his wife Barbara, also a Covenant employee, host a small group together that Covenant students attend. He says, “We don’t have a college ministry so we encourage students to meet people who have different perspectives.”

Young adults can benefit from being around people of different ages and walks of life. “Especially in the formative years of college,” says Pastor Gabe Fluhrer of First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga. “There’s a deep-seated desire that students might not even know they have to be around multi-generational people of God.”

Passionate about students’ involvement in church for the sake of the whole body, Pastor Eric Youngblood of Rock Creek Fellowship describes Covenant students as “ever-fresh infusions of zest, willing to be woven into our one-anothering community.” He states that it heartens him to see Covenant students embed themselves in the church and remain involved through many stages of life.

Molding Young Minds and Hearts

Ministry among high school and middle school-age youth naturally lends itself to college students. Having recently been in their shoes, young adults are often keenly aware of the challenges faced by teens. Brad Roberts, a 2015 Covenant graduate, was previously the youth pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga and is now the director of youth and children’s ministry at St. Elmo Presbyterian Church. “Covenant students serving as interns at First Presbyterian didn’t just help at youth events, but also at summer camps,” says Brad.

Aaron Tolson, a 1997 Covenant graduate and youth pastor at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian, says Covenant students are vital to their youth ministry. “We couldn’t have successful small groups in the youth without the faithful presence, zealous love, and biblical wisdom students bring from their theological training at Covenant,” says Aaron. He describes what a blessing it is to see the spiritual formation that takes place when college students model faithfulness to high schoolers. Not only do Covenant students help in these ministries, but local youth directors take advantage of the opportunity to mentor the students as well. “We walk alongside our Covenant students as they pour into the youth,” says Aaron. “It is a beautiful picture of how the Church is meant to function.”

Caring for the Little Ones

Serving children is a great way for college students to learn more about our loving Father. Amy Horne, nursery director at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian, describes how she enjoys seeing Covenant students use their gifts to serve. “We love having Covenant students work in the nursery and appreciate getting to know them personally,” she says. “They connect with families in the community and are a vital part of staffing the nursery.”

Dr. Jones states that he is extremely grateful when he sees college students volunteering to work with children since it allows the parents uninterrupted time in the service. He understands that it may not be their first choice, but adds, “I would encourage students to be willing to sign up for whatever, knowing that they can make a difference in the world even in the nursery.”

Making a Joyful Noise

While some enjoy connecting with young audiences, those with musical gifts may prefer to help lead in worship. Dr. Jones has always enjoyed Covenant students rotating on and off the worship team at Rock Creek. He recalls that their last violinist was a Covenant student and a bass player who often plays is a Covenant student as well.

“Covenant students are crucial to the music ministry at LMPC,” state David Henry, 2009 graduate, and Joy Gibbons, sanctuary worship and music directors at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian. They describe that students participate in several services, making up nearly a fifth of the instrumentalists and vocalists combined. Although music ministry involves practice and rehearsals throughout the week, Covenant students jump in wholeheartedly.

Serving Behind the Scenes

Being involved in ministry almost always involves hard work and endurance. Sometimes it consists of singing on stage or greeting at a door, but often it might look like stacking chairs after events or mowing the church lawn. We know the Lord wasn’t above kneeling down and washing the feet of His disciples, so we can emulate His humble demeanor by serving behind the scenes.

Scott Harrison, facilities manager at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian, is grateful for Covenant students who have come alongside his staff. “I have worked with Covenant students for almost 36 years,” he says, “and it has been a blessing to watch them be a part of our work team and participate in fellowship and worship.” In these less exciting tasks, students learn to be the hands and feet of Christ.

Upholding Our Mission

Covenant encourages students to get into church right away. In fact, worshiping at a local church is part of new student orientation, and upperclassmen offer rides to incoming freshmen while faculty and staff make it a point to invite students to church and often even Sunday lunch in their homes. Stephanie Formenti, VP of student development, describes the joy of seeing Covenant students serve at New City Fellowship East Lake, saying, “It’s a gift to worship alongside students and especially delightful to see them teach children’s church, serve as greeters, volunteer in the nursery, and play on the worship team.”

Covenant maintains that the church, although imperfectly stewarded by man, is the God-ordained, Spirit-infused, body of Christ. Brad Roberts says, “We see more and more the cultural pressure for the younger generation to disassociate themselves from the church, which is lamentable. However, Covenant does a great job at instilling the value of church.” Covenant’s mission has always included serving the church, and that mission still holds just as true today. In fact, in a recent all-alumni survey, 96% of our graduates affiliated with the PCA described themselves as either members or regular attendees of their local church.

“The Church is vital, necessary, and indispensable,” says Pastor Fluhrer. “As a centerpiece of God’s unfolding biblical revelation of His plan, which is the bride of Christ’s union with her resurrected Redeemer, the local expression of that is of paramount importance, especially for Christian college students.”

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