Engaging university students
through conversation and coffee
By Steve Shoop
Students sit and stand in groups around big green tables shaded by even bigger green umbrellas. Some are typing away on laptops trying to get an assignment finished at the last minute. Others are laughing and joking while their friends quickly pack up their things to head to class. The same scene occurs every hour or so on this university campus in Guadalajara, Mexico.
This particular campus is the Centro Universitario de Ciencias Economico Administrativas (CUCEA). Here, students come from across the city to study degree programs that relate to business, economics and accounting. The campus used to be home to only academic pursuits. Now, it boasts a growing campus ministry group where students can strengthen their relationship with their Creator in between study sessions, classes and statistics projects.
“CUCEA has been prayed over by numerous people over a number of years,” expressed Angela Tiffany, missionary associate in Guadalajara. “In the last two years we’ve seen God really begin to open doors, and we’ve seen viable campus ministry begin on a campus where there was no Christian presence.”
On any given Tuesday or Thursday afternoon there are a group of Mexican students, accompanied by students from the Engage in Missions program, sitting in a circle, shaded by tall trees. They talk about topics as diverse as construction and the Holy Spirit, and in the middle of a field they lift up the name of Jesus.
Students who form part of this ministry regularly express their gratefulness to God for the group, for this place where they can grow in their relationship with Christ or where they found Him for the first time.
The group is known in Spanish as Punto de Encuentro or “Point of Encounter.” It’s a place where students can encounter friendships, fellowship and, over all, the Author of their existence.
Throughout Mexico there are signs that say “Point of Encounter.” They are known as spots where you can meet up in case of an emergency. “We want students to know that this is a place where they can come in whatever state they are in,” Tiffany explains.
How does a person meet new students on a campus of 20,000 commuter students? “You walk up, sit down, ask the question of the day and start a conversation,” says Lani Strange, an Engage in Missions student.
“We ask a question of the day, something to get students talking,” pipes in Laura Lucier, another Engage student.
“Giving away free coffee is a great way to meet new people,” adds Autumn Brannoch.
Guadalajara is home to more than 200,000 university level students. Spread out on campuses throughout the expansive city, the need for more groups like Punto de Encuentro is apparent. Tiffany says, “We would love to have a group on every campus in the city. I’m waiting for the Lord to show me how He’s going to do that.”
Learn more about the Engage in Missions program at www.engageinmissions.com.