Volunteers reach out to younger students during weekends

Weekends for most students involve spending time with friends, working and occasionally making a trip back home for a good meal. 

During the spring semester, however, members of the Disciple Now Ministry on campus spend their time differently.
Almost every weekend from January into March, groups of students travel to churches as close as Belton and Temple and as far as the Houston area to lead groups in Disciple Now.

The events are held in churches of all denominations across the state. Students from UMHB are asked by the church staff to lead small groups of students over the weekend. The leaders stay with students in houses of congregation members and lead Bible studies. The groups also attend larger worship services at the church during the weekend.

Senior English major Christy Schulte has a history with the weekend events.

“I attended Disciple Now weekends as a student in high school and loved the intention behind them,” she said.

“Although I was already saved, it was a good reminder each time to remember the joy in my salvation and the elementary concepts to my faith.”

Schulte knew from her experiences that she wanted to become a leader like those who had affected her so deeply. 

“The college leader is an important aspect because youth are more likely to look up to their leader,” she said. “The students often have many questions in which my answer shapes their beliefs.  It encourages me to study the Word in order not to give them false doctrine.”

Schulte has led in six Disciple Now weekends and is planning more during the remainder of the semester. 

Julie Gibson, a junior psychology major, is a veteran to the Disciple Now Ministry and has led more than 10 events. She admits that she has learned a lot by leading younger girls in Bible studies and mentoring them spiritually.

“I really enjoy spending time with younger girls. It's fun to get the opportunity and excuse to act young again,” she said.   “I've learned a lot about myself spiritually. Going into Disciple Now weekends can be challenging, and I have to be dependent on the Lord to give me the words to speak to the kids I’m with.”

The weekends can be a time for students who have grown up in the church to refresh their faith and learn new facets of their beliefs. The events also offer churched students the opportunity to invite their non-believing friends and acquaintances to the energy-filled event where they hear the Gospel in a non-traditional church setting. 

Overall, the Disciple Now weekends happening all over the state and nation are encouraging a generation of students passionate about their faith. 

UMHB’s Disciple Now Ministry has taken a step to assist churches in finding leaders for their weekends by putting students through an application and interview process before they can be accepted to lead at an event.

The church staff can simply call and receive volunteer leaders within a matter of days. 

The college leaders offer the high school and middle school students role models to look up to as they grow in their faith. 

Senior M’Lynn Northam values the influence she has on the students she leads.

She can “let them know that someone loves them,” she said, “even if it’s just for a weekend.”

Sophomore art education major Allie Wynne considers the chance to interact with younger students a humbling experience.

“You go in thinking you’re the ‘cool college leader,’” she said. “But you are quickly reminded that the word you are teaching is so weighty that it’s a blessing to be allowed to read it, let alone teach it.”

As a leader, Wynne has seen students at all levels of their faith grow in what they believe.

“My favorite part of a disciple now is watching their faces when they just get it,” she said. “It’s those moments when you know it’s more than just a weekend experience.”