Last week my wife and I hosted a fundraiser for the University of Kentucky’s Christian Student Fellowship (CSF). Never have we entertained so many UK fans in our home at one time! As an avid University of Louisville fan, it was a little unusual for me, but we gladly welcomed 30 Wildcat fans because there is something that matters a whole lot more to us than RED or BLUE loyalties.
UK’s Director of Athletics, Mitch Barnhart, along with former basketball stars Dan Issel and Jimmy Dan Conner, attended to show their support for the CSF ministry. I believe the University of Louisville’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes ministry under Chris Morgan is the best college ministry for athletes and coaches in the country. But the work of the CSF at UK, under the direction of Brian Marshall, is the most phenomenal campus ministry I’ve ever seen.
Sixty years ago, the Christian Churches in Lexington rallied to purchase a house on the edge of UK’s campus to encourage Christian Students to remain faithful to the Lord. Since that time, the UK campus has grown so much that the CSF building is no longer on the edge of campus, but is now situated nearly at the heart of campus. It’s a perfect location to impact students.
State Universities are often spiritually dark places. A recent Barna poll concluded that 80% of church kids leave their faith, both morally and intellectually, during their college years. That is why the work of Campus Ministries is so vital. The Christian Student Fellowship is a stellar example of a light shining in a dark place. Every Thursday night around 800 UK students cram into the small auditorium – and even spill over into the basement – to worship the Lord and listen to a Bible lesson.
I’ve spoken for CSF on several occasions and have been very impressed with the intensity and focus of the students who are jammed into the auditorium. Not only are Christian kids being reinforced in their faith, but unbelieving students are also giving their lives to Christ and getting baptized. Others are deciding upon a career in ministry. The Bible says. “…where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). When the world is darkest, that’s when the light of God’s love should shine the brightest.
The Christian Student Fellowship is often the “happening place” on campus. In addition to the weekly worship services and numerous Bible studies, Brian Marshall is determined that CSF be the host for some of the best non-alcoholic, non-marijuana parties in central Kentucky. For example, over 6,000 students spilled over into the surrounding streets for CSF’s annual Luau a few weeks ago. Marshall says that they want to be known for hosting the most fun parties on campus because kids need to see the joy of the Lord and experience a good time without getting drunk or high.
Someone asked Mitch Barnhart what kept him awake at night. The questioner probably anticipated the Athletic Director would talk about football losses or basketball tournaments. Instead, Barnhart responded, “We are chasing the culture, and we can’t catch up.” Like those of us in church leadership, university administrators are struggling to adjust to the world’s rapidly declining moral values and are perplexed about what to do.
Barnhart then gave testimony about the importance of Christian Student Fellowship…a place that provides kids with wise direction and a solid spiritual foundation. He pointed out that for CSF to continue to expand in influence, it is imperative for them to build a new facility that will double their capacity and enhance their credibility.
Recently, an acre of land next door became available. In what some might call a miracle, CSF, not UK, was approached to purchase the land. This new property provides space for additional parking, which the government requires for a new, larger building. Since the old building must be demolished, the new land also provides enough space to construct a temporary facility that can be utilized during the sixteen-month construction project.
Mitch Barnhart is chairing the fund-raising campaign to raise $12 million dollars for this venture because he believes so strongly in CSF. Over half of the funds have already been committed. Thanks to the generosity of Wildcat fans in our home that night we raised over $1 million dollars! If you have resources to share, I can’t think of many more noble causes than this one. Make your checks out to CSF, designate it for the building campaign and mail it to CSF; 502 Columbia Ave.; Lexington, Ky. 40508.
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God” (2 Cor. 9:10-11).
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