For many students, college is a time of discovering their interests, who they want to become, and where they hope to go. The time spent pursuing an education also allows students the opportunity to take initiative and make decisions that will shape their future. For some, these choices involve faith; whether it’s something they have grown up with or something they are figuring out for the first time.
Whether it’s through chapel or other weekly campus ministry events, faith is a huge part of campus life at Campbellsville University. However, many students still find themselves wondering what faith might look like outside of campus.
That is why Campus Minister Trent Creason says he believes church tours can be extremely beneficial to students.
Creason said the program was sparked by earlier campus ministry efforts dating back to when he was a graduate student at the university. It initially began as a way to help students overcome the challenge of transportation by providing rides to local churches.
“Transportation stands in the way of a lot of our students,” Creason said. “The church tour is kind of that entry-level way of one of those connecting points. It takes some of the awkwardness out of maybe going by yourself to a church, and it offers a free ride.”
Creason explained that the tours aren’t meant to replace campus ministry, but to open doors.
“We want students to serve, get involved, and make real connections,” he said.
The timing of the program is also intentionally earlier in the semester when student momentum is at its highest.
Local churches share that vision.
Nathan Johnson, discipleship and college pastor at Campbellsville Baptist Church, said the tours help strengthen the relationship between the congregations and students.
“We’re one of the few churches within walking distance to the university, so our church naturally has a desire to serve and build a connection with university students,” Johnson said.
For him, the relationship is reciprocal.
“The thing about churches is not just what they get out of it, but also what they can give to it,” he said. “We see college students as part of the church, and they have a lot to offer the church in their own right.”
Johnson shared a personal story of how discipleship changed his own life.
“I was mentored by my college pastor when I became a Christian at 20 years old. He met with me and two other guys every week, and it was very close. And it is why I am here today.”
He added that his church intentionally provides mentorship and encourages students to serve in different areas of the church.
For students like Jenna Smallwood, a junior from Elizabethtown, the church tours have accomplished exactly what they set out to do in making visiting new churches less intimidating.
“When I came to Campbellsville, I was really desiring church community,” she said. “The church tours gave me the chance to explore and experience different churches alongside other students who shared that same desire.”
She recalled how churches made her feel welcome.
“A lot of times they sat down with us for a meal after service and were just intentional to serve us in that way and make us feel welcome,” Smallwood said.
Through the tours, Smallwood has connected with a local congregation and found ways to grow outside the university. Beyond Sunday service, she also attends a women’s Bible study and college nights, both of which are hosted in a church member’s house.
“As I reflect on it, I am just reminded that the church is God’s plan of making Jesus known to people,” Smallwood said. “That’s why there’s so much value in belonging to a church, because that is God’s plan for making himself known.”
