Volume 59, Issue 9  - October 16, 2006

More college students find faith
By Sarah Langbein
The Orlando Sentinel
(MCT)

When the Rev. Robert L. Carpenter started a small, faith-based organization at the University of Central Florida four years ago, he never imagined how big it would become.

Today, what began as a word-of-mouth venture packs in students at Sunday services and boasts an e-mail list of nearly 2,000. Incoming freshmen seek out University Christian Fellowship when they arrive on campus, not just the other way around.

Carpenter's group is just one of many faith-based organizations on local college campuses that are reporting a recent jump in membership. A Harvard poll released this year found that seven out of 10 U.S. college students said "religion is somewhat or very important in their lives," and 25 percent say they've become more spiritual since entering college.

"With all the uncertainty in the world--with the war, bird flu, hurricanes--students are looking for some kind of faith connection," Carpenter says of the boost. "They are searching for something that is secure."

And for some, that means branching away from Greek life, athletics and activities that bombard them with peer pressure and alcohol.

Nausheen Ansari, 21, sought friends, and mostly understanding, when she joined the Muslim Student Association at UCF. She feared backlash against the Muslim community as the United States fought in the Middle East.

"It's something that helps you stay strong," she says of her connection to the Muslim student group.

Ansari says she has watched as a growing number of incoming students seek out connections to faith-based organizations, even students who previously weren't religious.

"I feel [the increase in interest] has a lot to do with finding a group of friends that they can relate to," she says, "and often high schools do not have the kind of faith groups that you can find on college campuses."

Just like other student groups, spiritual gatherings span a wide range at UCF, according to a list of registered student organizations. There are 24, ranging from the Knight Circle, which celebrates "traditional, modern and symbolic beliefs of earth-based and neopagan religions," to the Women's Prayer Band and Hillel, a Jewish student group.

The university's Office of Student Involvement estimates a 25 percent increase in membership in campus ministries since the 2001-02 school year.

`A LOT OF LITTLE BONDS'

At Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., Campus Crusade for Christ brings about 30 students together. On Monday nights, they gather in the Campus Center, singing to words in a PowerPoint presentation. Two young men strum guitars at the front of the room. The students are dressed in T-shirts, jeans and flip-flops, and some bring their own Bibles.

David Aguilar, 19, gives a sermon on faith and actions.

"Through our faith we have a lot of little bonds with each other," Aguilar tells the group. "[Christ is] the one thing that holds us together."

After the hourlong session, they gather at a local pizza place.

"I think everyone is seeking fellowship and to intimately know the Lord," says Karin Wakas, 21.

Based in Orlando, Campus Crusade reports an increase in chapters throughout the country. In 2000, the organization reached 885 campuses. By 2005, it was present on 1,298 of them.

During those five years, membership in Campus Crusade grew by more than 15,000 students.

The Rollins chapter hopes to see the same phenomenon on its campus.

"It's good to see God's work go from nothing to everything," Aguilar says.

As part of its outreach efforts, Campus Crusade has distributed more than 1 million Freshman Survival Kits, which include books, postcards, compact discs, a Bible and an invitation to the group's meetings.

Pastor Carpenter learned quickly that simple e-mails weren't going to cut it when communicating with students. He signed on to MySpace and Facebook, learned how to text message and offered his cell-phone number to students who needed his guidance outside of weekly celebration. He found himself giving counsel at 2 a.m. and tending to sick students in the hospital at least once a semester. In many cases, the students called Carpenter first.

The 35-year-old life coach and motivational speaker has been a pastor at "traditional" churches, including one in Boynton Beach. But he has taken pleasure in watching his college church grow by bounds.

"My whole goal is to give them something to inspire them, even if it's for the day, for the week," Carpenter says. "I allow them to find their place. I don't get political. I want to create a welcoming place."

It shows.

While sitting in the Student Union, Carpenter is approached repeatedly by students and often greeted by a high-five. He relates to students on their level and takes pride in knowing each one by name.

Carpenter describes his services as "fireside chats." Sunday-morning fellowship tends to be small. But the big service comes Sunday afternoons at 4. About 200 students show up, many saying it suits them perfectly; they don't have to drive across town to attend church.

Carpenter has encouraged the students to take control over the Sunday services. They sing. They dance. They preach. Sometimes, it leaves little or no time for Carpenter. And that's OK with him.

He hopes to take University Christian Fellowship to other campuses.

"This is what I live for," he says.