Getting a Campus Ministry Started - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a Navigator ministry started at my campus?

  1. Pray! Pray! Pray! Prayer needs to be the foundation stone of your work. A building is only as good as the foundation that supports the structure. The foundation of a productive ministry is laid through prayer. Claim a promise from God’s Word for this ministry. It is God who causes the growth in a person’s life or in a ministry.
  2. Team Up! Jesus sent out the 70 two by two. Solomon tells us that “two are better than one for they have a good return for their labor” (Eccl. 4:9- 10). Put together a team that shares your vision. A clear mission and vision will help to attract the right students and others to team up with you to launch a Nav ministry.
  3. Connect! We can do more “together” than we can do by ourselves! The task is too great to do it alone. Let’s connect with others who are doing the same thing at other campuses and trust God together to reach students for Christ and to multiply laborers. Seasoned Navigator staff can coach you and provide resources that can help you start a Navigator ministry on your campus.
  4. Be Real and Reach Out! Be real and genuine; don’t play games. People can tell if you are sincere. Each person on your team can be used of God in student’s lives! God desires you to be salt and light on your campus. Purposely get to know at least five non-Christian students, begin praying for them and God will do great things.
  5. Casting the Net! Your team can survey hundreds of students to find those who are interested in spiritual things. Quick, 30-sec. surveys on the campus mall, in the dinner line and in the dorms are an easy way to find new contacts. Write us for samples and ideas!
  6. Raise the Flag! Raising the flag declares “we are here and we claim this place for our Sovereign!” You want to claim your campus for Christ! Raise the flag; let students know you are there. Putting up posters, handing out fliers, advertising events in your campus paper are great ways to get new people to an activity. Contact us for ideas and resources.
  7. Register! Becoming an officially recognized student group on campus will allow your team to use campus facilities and maybe even apply for funds. We can help with sample constitutions and charters you can adapt for your campus.
  8. Link Up! Invite students in your ministry to attend Navigator student retreats or conferences in your region. The summer brings training projects and missions trips they can take part in. Link your students with other Navigator campus ministries. It will encourage and stimulate both groups! We can help you to link up.
  9. Bring in the Calvary! You will need reinforcements. Involve your Christian friends from your church and in the community. Ask them to commit to praying for your ministry and to host activities at their homes from time to time. Students love home atmospheres.
  10. Relate! Make every attempt to maintain the unity of the faith. Good relations with other solid Christian groups on campus is a must. Seek to establish good communication with other groups and never recruit your leaders from another campus ministry.

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When and how do I become a recognized group on my campus?

You should seek recognition for your group as soon as possible.  In most cases, becoming a known entity through the established channels is mutually beneficial.  Recognized student groups are usually eligible to reserve space for activities, to receive funding and to use available channels for campus publicity.  Recognition also creates trust, builds relationships, provides great opportunities to network, and opens doors to serve the greater campus community.

Procedures and requirements for becoming a recognized campus organization vary from campus to campus.  In some cases, your group will need to affiliate with an association of campus ministries.  In other cases, your group would be one of the many student clubs and organizations.  Since every campus is different you should contact the Dean of Students office to find out the guidelines, requirements and procedures for your school.

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How do I meet and recruit incoming freshmen?

Early in a new academic year, most freshmen are eager to find their niche and meet new people.  They are often looking for others who share similar interests but also open to trying something new.  It’s a great time to take the initiative to meet lots of freshmen.

Ideas for Meeting Incoming Freshman:

  • Have your group/team volunteer to help freshmen and their families on “move-in day.”  Bring along a supply of ice-cold bottled water.
  • See if you can have some kind of presence in freshmen orientation.
  • Sometimes incoming students voluntarily submit religious preference information.  Some schools will pass on this information to the appropriate organizations and denominations.  See if “The Navigators” or “Evangelical Christian” are or could become religious preference options.
  • Host an easily accessible barbecue, ice cream social, bonfire or other enticing activity.  During the activity briefly and clearly tell them about your group.  Pass around a sign-up sheet for contact information and options to receive more information and/or participate in a Bible study.
  • Hold a raffle during freshmen orientation or at the student organizations fair.  Possible raffle items:  mountain bike, cushy office chair, desk/room lamp, mp3 player.  The raffle ticket can be a short form for contact information (name, campus address, email, phone#) and a way to ask a couple of simple questions like, “Yes, I would like more information about The Navigators.  Sign me up for a raffle prize.” or “No, I would not like more information about The Navigators.  Sign me up for a prize anyway.”
  • Have a fresh pizza-by-the-slice giveaway with a means to gather contact information and introduce students to The Navigators.
  • Offer a shopping shuttle service.  “Within reason, we will drive anyone to local shopping.” Or set up a Wal-Mart run for a certain time leaving from a certain place.
  • Have an event that combines Navs and any other Christian groups on campus.  Have a short meeting/reception with a combined worship team.  Invite and briefly introduce local pastors.  Have church and church ride information available.  Have student reps from each organization five a one-minute introduction to their group.
  • Gather an email distribution list of referrals, raffle “yes’s”, and individuals from sign-up sheets.  Use it to keep people informed of the group’s activities.
  • Personally invite freshmen to a Bible study, preferably with others who live in the same dorm or nearby to help encourage friendship and support.
  • Have a mini fall retreat just for freshmen emphasizing community, friendship and accountability.
  • Have a fall retreat with freshmen and upperclassmen.
  • Pass out welcome bags with things like:  New Testament, list of fun things to do on campus and in the area, shopping shuttle coupon, Nav brochure, invitation to an ice cream social or other event, a pen or other useful small gift, a homemade cookie. Contact us to find out how to get inexpensive backpacks to use as giveaways. The backpacks are full of cool stuff.

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What are the factors that will be critical to the success of this ministry?

The Navigators have identified six critical success factors involved in multiplying ministry.
These are:

  • We advance the Gospel among the lost
  • We create a safe place and community through which life and ministry takes place
  • We relationally and personally help people (students and leaders to love and follow Christ.
  • We develop spiritual leaders and laborers: Live and disciple among the lost.
  • We lay foundations for multiplying and generational ministries.
  • We mobilize people into the nation and to the nations.

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