I had the opportunity to go home to Iowa this weekend to watch my little brother (who now has at least 8 inches on me) walk across the stage in his cap and gown.  We had a great time with family and friends celebrating his graduation from high school.

And now he’s looking forward.

I remember how I felt when I graduated from high school.  All I could see were opportunities.  The anxiety of moving to a new city 450 miles away from home to attend college was overshadowed by the excitement of new friends, new experiences, and boundless possibilities in front of me.

Looking back, I realize that I probably should have been a little more intimidated.  Statistics suggest that as many as 70 to 80 percent of kids from Christian homes aren’t serving the Lord after their time in college.  In my own life, I’ve watched friends lose motivation in their relationship with the Lord as they become more and more motivated by new experiences, freedom, and even academic pursuits.

I attended a great Christian university and had a wonderful experience.  I made incredible friends, had a lot of fun, and learned inside and outside the classroom.  When I graduated, I had claimed ownership of a faith that was my own and no longer inherited from my family, but I certainly experienced times of spiritual testing and trying along the way.
We as leaders are not doomed to stand by and watch our girls become part of this 70 to 80 percent.   There are a few things we can do as we partner with parents to help our girls emerge as mature Christian women.

Church visit.  When your girls go on college visits, find some churches for them to visit while they’re there.  Finding a church can seem a little ominous when there’s already so much new going on.  Visiting a church for the first time with parents or youth leaders can make a huge difference.

Make connections.  Do a little research and find some churches in the area near where your girls will be attending college.  Call the churches and make connection with the young adult pastor or leader.  Churches will generally welcome college students with open arms.  Many already have “adopt-a-student” programs in place.  If the pastor knows to look for your students, your girls will be less likely to slip through the cracks.  A list of Assemblies of God Young Adult Pastors is available at http://youngadults.ag.org/top/groups/.  Even when on a Christian campus, getting involved in a church is really important.  Church involvement helps girls feel a sense of community that will help prevent homesickness and loneliness during that tough first semester.

Find a group.  Especially for girls heading off to state universities or secular colleges, finding a Christian group on campus will be integral.  A list of Chi Alpha groups is available at http://chialpha.com/connect/locator/.  There’s strength in numbers, and having a strong relationship with the Lord on a secular campus is no exception.

Talk about it.  Don’t use these statistics as scare tactics for your girls, but let them know about the challenges ahead of them.  Knowing what the battle looks like before they head into it can help them formulate a plan.  Let the girls know that there won’t be anyone there reminding them to do their devotions, to wake them up to go to church on Sunday mornings, or to check up on them after a date.  It’s important to help girls develop discipline to do these things on their own.

Stay in touch.  This may seem like a given, but it’s so encouraging to keep receiving those phone calls, notes, and care packages.  It’s good for girls to know that someone besides their parents cares about their spiritual well-being.  Don’t be afraid to ask those nagging questions either.  During my time in college, it always seemed that I received these calls or notes on the days I most needed them.  Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you as you continue to invest in these girls.