Daniel McGrath, a recent graduate of the CAMPUS (Center for Adventist Ministry for Public University Students) missionary training program, was asked why he enrolled in the program. He stated he wanted to be a missionary. Originally planning to go to South America, he believed coming to CAMPUS would be more useful, and would provide more training. He wanted to learn how to reach people on college campuses.

During his one-year training program, Daniel met two women scholars from China interested in spiritual things and with questions about the Bible. He employed the training he received to encourage them to study the Bible with him. After a semester studying with Daniel, they each accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior before returning to their homeland. Daniel was happy to learn they are continuing to study and are sharing what they learned with their families in China.

Daniel’s experience led him to change his vocational plans. He is now enrolled at Eastern Michigan University with the sole purpose of reaching more students for Christ. He serves as the first vice president of CAMPUS inreach.

CAMPUS, with headquarters near the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor campus, also trains university students to reach out to their university friends. Azibo Stevens is a student who accepted Christianity through the efforts of others. He became very interested in Bible prophecy, attended three evangelistic meetings, completed two prophecy studies, and continued to ask Adventist classmates for answers to Bible questions.

They encouraged his relationship with Jesus Christ and invited Azibo to worship with them. He discovered the blessings of the Sabbath, found answers to his questions, and eventually joined the Adventist church through baptism. His zeal and new Christian lifestyle caught his mother's interest and she now plans to be baptized.

Formed as an initiative of the Michigan Conference, CAMPUS students are currently active at six state universities. Retreats are held for university students and conferences are organized to train those interested in working in this innovative ministry.

This organization also gave birth to the General Youth Conference (GYC), originally structured to be a network to support Adventist public university students committed to sharing their faith. It began with 200 attendees at a national conference, and grew to be an international conference, with nearly 2,000 attendees at the 2005 conference in Chattanooga, Tenn. The conference theme was “Now Is The Time.” Speakers included C.D. Brooks, Ron Clouzet, and John Nixon. More information about GYC may be found by visiting the website: www.generalyouthconference.com.

Currently, CAMPUS holds two collegiate retreats during the school year in Michigan, while the national training conference, LEADS (Leadership, Education, and Development Seminar) attracts those involved in public campus ministry during a summer seminar. Next year, a new program will be launched, FOCUS (The Faith and Outreach Camp for University Students). It will be a week-long training camp for pre-collegiate students. For more information about these ministries, visit website: www.campushope.com; or e-mail: info@campushope.com.

Justin Kim is CAMPUS director of resources and Bruce Babienco is Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent.