Creative Scribble

One of the strategies for OneLife Church is to be a church that college students can connect with. Being less than 15 minutes from 26,000 students at the University of Tennessee, we want to be a place where students can do two things: 1) Feel comfortable inviting their unchurched friends from literally all over the world. UT boasts students from all 50 states and nearly 100 foreign countries. 2) Get involved in a church where they can discover ways to make their one life count. Whether its greeting, teaching, playing in the band, working on a website, setting up/tearing down, etc. we want college students to do more than just show up on Sundays.

So with that in mind I stay very involved with campus life through the athletic department and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM). This has given me an opportunity to build relationships with literally hundreds of students on campus. And just to brag a little bit on my kiddos, it's been great seeing them earn some victories over the past few weeks.

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First was the dance team. I am the chaplain during football season for the cheer, dance, and mascot teams and stay involved helping with special events throughout the spring. In January the dance team won their third consecutive national championship while the cheeleaders placed 8th and good ole Smokey was 5th.

Then last night the BCM concluded their All-Sing program where they were the only non-Greek (sorrorities and fraternities) group participating. After advancing to the finals in December, the competition was this weekend where they won 1st place large mixed division, 2nd place overall, and best male soloist! I love directing the All-Sing group because I really get to know these 60 students over the two months we are together.

But the real victory I am looking forward to will come this fall when all of these relationships pay off and we start to see students' lives changed through OneLife Church. That victory will be the sweetest.