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How Do You Find God on Campus

Every year, thousands of students, including some Christians, flock to university campuses. Jed Baker from sPanz spoke to three studentsfrom Auckland and Otago Universities to see how they found the environment: Michael Bery, a fourth year theology and arts student at Auckland; Vanessa Bell a second year chemistry student at Otago; Amy Smith, a first year psychology student at Otago

Q. Did you have to go looking for God on campus or did the experience come to you?

Michael: I guess doing theology was different as I was around people orientated towards religion. I think there is an ideal opportunity for people around city campus because there are some groups who are always there. I stayed away from those, sticking with people I was studying with.

Vanessa: I was contacted by the Varsity Christian Fellowship via e-mail before I came down here.

Amy: I suppose I know a lot of people here already but I am amazed with the advertising for the Christian groups here.

Q. What were your expectations regarding faith when you started university? Did they work out?

Michael: I didn't really expect too much at all. I knew about the clubs but you always meet God in funny places, such as through meeting people in the courses and the lecturers.
Vanessa: I thought it was a good opportunity to make it more of my own faith rather than my parents and letting it grow. Getting involved can be quite hard but it's quite good deciding where you want to stand.

Amy: I did a YWAM course last year. For myself, I've been trying to meet and form friendships with Christians and non-Christians. There is a good cell group in the hall and everyone's really friendly.

Q. What's been positive and helpful for fostering your faith on campus and what's been negative?

Michael: As a positive, the people I have met at the theological college. On the negative side, I look at some of the clubs at university, which could have been potentially scary. God found me; I didn't have to go looking.

Vanessa: I think down here the Christian groups are quite proactive in getting out there and telling people who they are. But there is a big drinking culture and going to pubs, it's hard to be different and not get involved. For the first couple of weeks, you're trying to meet people. I was in a hall last year and we set up a cell group which helped.

Amy: Things like cell groups where you get into small groups and talk God are good. Drinking is an enormous thing down here.

Q. How has the Christian part in orientation been?

Michael: In the main campus, there were lots of clubs hanging around the major gathering areas. With the reception at the other colleges, it was people being there for morning teas, being friendly to me and saying "hey, welcome".

Vanessa: The Christian tent on campus is quite visible. There is always someone there. There is a carnival-type thing happening.

Amy: It's awesome with the tent and everything and I think there is a really good feeling in it. It's the church coming to the people rather than the people coming to the church.