How do you find a church in college?
How do you find a good church in college? How do you pick which Christian fellowship to join? These are important questions! Here’s some advice from Naomi, a current sophomore at SDSU:
What was your church experience like growing up?
I grew up going to church and became a Christian in 2015. Up until 2014, I went to a small church in the Central Valley (California), which I went to simply because that’s what I grew up doing on Sundays. In 2015, I moved to the East Bay (California) and attended a larger, non-denominational church, where I first began to understand what church is and what community means. I joined a small group during my middle school and high school years, and volunteered at various church events and youth camps over the years. I was baptized in 2015 at this church.
What made you interested in checking out Christian fellowships in college?
It was a priority for me to find a college fellowship. Having been in community groups since middle school, I knew that community is necessary for Christian living. I also need the accountability that comes from others to strengthen my faith in Christ.
What were you looking for in a Christian fellowship?
I was looking for a church or fellowship that was open to all people. I was also looking for a community that is open to discussing contemporary topics, since navigating your faith is not a straight path, and you will have questions and disagree at times. I was also looking for a community that was welcoming to all and that I could easily invite my non-Christian friends to.
Why made you want to join Klesis?
I chose Klesis Christian Fellowship because it is legitimately a family, and the services are geared towards college students and topics relevant to us. At Klesis, I have grown deeper in my faith, as well as built a strong community of friends. To top it off, the weekly activities and outings are fun ways to experience the great sites available in San Diego.
Any advice for someone checking out churches and fellowships in college?
Capitalize on the first few weeks at college. Go to as many different churches and college groups as you can to see what you like and don’t like from each, and to get a greater sense of what you’re looking for in a church. Everyone is new, and no one ever has "enough" friends. The worst thing that can happen is that you don't enjoy a certain fellowship and you try another. You're not obligated to stay at any church you check out. During my first year of college, I tried three churches/college fellowships the first two weeks of school. Find a church that works for you and allows your journey with Christ to strengthen, and then commit to that church.