Start to Finish

January 1, 2022

From start to finish with each school year, there are discernable patterns that occur as the school year progresses. Campuses have different personalities (see Matt Herman’s
“Me Pioneer, No Way,”) and students differ often determined by the personality, expectations, and location of the campus. Understanding and adapting to the rhythms in campus ministry will ensure a flow in the work of ministry, and maximize how time and energy and resources are allocated for the entire year.

Assimilation

The fall of the year is a period of assimilation during which we will reach many new students through back-to-school events and welcome week. In fact, the one week before the fall term begins as students return to campus and move in, and the following couple of weeks of school are the most important ministry weeks of the year for connecting with new, transfer and returning students. This is the best time to introduce your group to the campus at every venue given to student organizations, by sponsoring social events, starting your weekly worship gathering, recruiting for small groups, and announcing your retreat. All this gets underway and occurs before Thanksgiving break.

South Central SALT in 1972 with 23 attendees.

By the first Fall break, you need to be advertising your regional SALT conference and get as many students to attend as possible. SALT provides students a larger picture of XA with students from other campuses and states, and equips students for effective ministry on campus.

Forty-nine years later on December 29–31 South Central SALT was held in Dallas, Texas. More than 2000 students and staff in attendance. Sean Smith and Destiny Deas were the featured speakers

Southeast SALT
Northeast SALT
Great Lakes SALT
Great Plains North SALT
Great Plains South SALT
West Coast SALT
Pacific Northwest Winter Camp

January 2–5, 2022
January 7–9, 2022
January 14–17, 2022
January 14–17, 2022
January 14–17, 2022
January 14–17, 2022
February 4–6, 2022

Atlanta
Philadelphia
Lombard
Lake Geneva
Omaha
Santa Cruz
Stanwood

Georgia
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Michigan
Nebraska
California
Washington

The South Central SALT convened in Dallas, Texas, December 29–31, 2021 with an attendance that exceeded 2000 students and staff. It was the largest regional SALT of the 8 regional SALTS held.

This photo is the December 29-31, 2021 SC SALT in Dallas, Texas

Like the Fall, the start of Spring semester or Winter quarter is another opportunity for connecting with new students and transfer students. Don’t miss this opportunity. This is another vital assimilation time.

Consolidation

You are still meeting new students after the holiday break, but now with discipleship groups well underway and strengthened you can plug students into existing small groups and start new small groups, and begin leadership classes. This is a time of consolidation and solidifying the ministry. Becoming a biblical “community” of collegiate believers on campus becomes visible. When we gather as students, we put on display what it means to be people of God. We worship God, pray together, rejoice with one another’s company, teach and study the Word of God, and tell others about Jesus Christ.

Mobilization

The Spring semester or quarter is the time for mobilization. Campus outreach, Spring Break campus-to-campus ministry evangelistic teams, and missions and social concern projects come into focus. Multiple opportunities to get students engaged are at hand. Discipleship groups and leadership training continue. Plans will get underway for the next school year. New student leadership are selected during this time. Graduating students will be commissioned and encouraged to join the national alumni association.

In every phase, assimilation, consolidation and mobilization, precise advanced planning and prayer are essential.