Collegiate Collective

We introduce to our new lineup of Collegiate Collective Featured Writers. Take a look at this group comprising college ministry practitioners from a variety of ministry models and all across the United States.

We’re more than happy to introduce you to our new lineup of Featured Writers who will be bringing you articles each month here at Collegiate Collective. From the beginning, our desire has been to elevate and advance the gospel on campus by delivering timely content from and for college ministry practitioners of all stripes. You’ll see that desire reflected in our first batch of Featured Writers who span a variety of streams and models across the college ministry landscape.

Read on to learn more about each of them and to hear why they love college ministry!

ANDY ABRAMSON

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bio:
Andy is the founder and visionary leader of Verge Ministries. Verge Ministries has a heart to equip college and young adult leaders to effectively multiply ministry in their local contexts through training, networking and ministry development. Andy is passionate about college/young adult leaders. He is married to Jenn and has 5 children.

Why college ministry?
“I love college ministry because I get inspired by being around passionate people who believe they can change the world.  There is nothing like a college student who is passionately sold out for loving Jesus.”

CLAYTON BULLION

Bio:
Clayton is the Chief Dreamer and Storyteller at the Baptist Student Ministry at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX.  He is married to Bethany and they have four fantastic kids.  Before coming to Tarleton, Clayton and Bethany lived in the Middle East helping college students engage the culture around them with the gospel.

Why college ministry?
“I love college ministry because the college campus reeks with potential! No other demographic on the planet is more trainable and sendable.  It just makes sense to plant the gospel among a people so ripe for life change.”

ANDY CIMBALA

Bio:
Andy and his wife Melissa have a passion to make disciples of college students. They work with DiscipleMakers at Shippensburg University, leading Bible studies and mentoring leaders. Andy also blogs for The Relentless Fight.

Why college ministry?
“I love college ministry because it’s one of the most strategic places and times to make lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. I’m so excited to invest my life into the lives of future leaders, to see the Great Commission advance.”

MIKE FILICICCIA

Bio:
Mike is the North Campus Region Director at New Life Church, Ann Arbor. He is passionate about multiplying house churches among undergraduates and developing effective training tools and structures for mobilizing students in ministry.

Why college ministry?
“I love college ministry because I get to be at ground zero where the Holy Spirit transforms spiritual seekers into passionate, lifelong disciple-makers and missionaries in just a matter of months and years. I don’t know of any place where there’s more dynamic disciple-making, world-transforming action to be had!”

RUDY HARTMANN

Bio:
Rudy is a Salt Network church planting candidate with the Salt Company in Ames, IA. He previously served in college ministry in Tampa, FL.

Why college ministry?
“The college campus is the port city of the 21st century, where the next culture creators, artists, and leaders are being developed. College students are also the most sendable Christ-followers, who can leverage their gifts, degrees, and lives for the sake of the spread of the Gospel domestic and abroad. For these reasons and the stark reality that thousands of college students don’t know Jesus, the college campus and the surrounding areas are clearly strategic to the spread of the Gospel and worth giving everything for to see what God might do.”

MITCH TIDWELL

Bio:
Mitch serves as the director of Collegiate Ministries for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. He lives in Fort Worth, TX with his dog Luke!

Why college ministry?
“I love college ministry because college students are the most moldable and sendable generation on the planet. If we can reach them, we can reach the world. Seriously.”

DAVID WORCESTER

Bio:
David is the founder and director of Challenge at San Diego State and serves as an Elder at Mission Trails Church near the campus. He is passionate about mobilizing students to share their faith and make disciples. He’s helped develop GospelAppointments.com which is a resource that helps students and college ministers share with others in an intentional and personal way. David just finished his Masters in Theological Studies at Gateway Seminary and now has even more time for blogging about campus ministry, reading, surfing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his wife Jessica and one year old son Samuel. Shoot David and email or tweet if you’d like to connect or want surfing lessons.

Why college ministry?
“I love college ministry because students are at the most open stage of their life to go all in with Christ and make their faith their own. Also, they have their whole lives ahead of them to make disciples. I believe college students are the most reachable, trainable and sendable demographic in the world! And they are a lot of fun!”

ERICA YOUNG REITZ

Bio:
Erica directs Senior EXIT, a one year experience that prepares graduating seniors for the transition to life after college. She works for the CCO (Coalition for Christian Outreach), reaching out to students at Penn State University, in State College, PA. Her first book, After College: Navigating Transitions, Relationship and Faith released last August (2016) with InterVarsity Press. Erica is available to speak and consult.

Why college ministry?
“During the college years students ask questions like never before…and perhaps never again. I love coming alongside students during this critical window, listening to their questions, and hearing their stories. Most importantly, I love helping them connect their story to the Grand Narrative of the Scriptures, equipping them with a worldview that inspires them to live for Christ during their time on campus…and for a lifetime.”