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| | How Fragile Is Your Faith?
An Open Letter on University vs. Bible College
By Teresa Hernandez
February 24, 2003
The purpose of my letter is to touch upon the many views
that Pentecostals have on the dangers of secular
college. Before I enrolled at the University that I now attend, I went
to a UPCI Bible college for a semester. While I had the opportunity to sit in
and be blessed by many wonderful preachings, teachings, and meet some of the
kindest people in our fellowship, I have no regrets for attending secular
college. I understand why many parents and even pastors are terrified to see
their young people go off to college or university in fear that they will lose
their salvation, but fear of the unknown should never be what fuels our decision
making, as people who are called to a relationship with God.
Yes, it's legitimate to be worried about the result of
the possible effects of being immersed in an ungodly culture.
But parents and pastors consider this—what message do we send to our
young people when we present our salvation as something so fragile that it must
be protected at all times by inverting our lifestyles and our behavior so that
the only places that we go are Christian and the only people that we associate
with are Christian?
With this type of mindset, the Great Commission would never
be able to be fulfilled. Jesus just didn't “chill out” in the upper room
with His disciples and other believers and wait until it was time for the Roman
soldiers to come and take Him away. No, He gave us the greatest example
of how to be in the world and yet not of it. Student, when you're on the campus,
don't see it as an opportunity for the world to come and sweep your beliefs
away. Rather, see it as an opportunity for you to change the world. Parent or
pastor, instead of praying, “Lord please give Brother or Sister So-and-So the
strength to survive the ills of secular college!” try praying, “Lord, let
this educational experience for my young person expand their territory to take
the gospel to someone that would have normally never been reached or touched
with Your saving message.”
God's saving and keeping grace is not porcelain; you don't
have to worry about it being so dainty that it will fall apart the second a
young person questions where their place is in the kingdom. As a young person
used in music ministry, I've had opportunities to reach and bless people in
secular college that I know for a fact I would have never met or never have had
the opportunity to reach if I would have stayed in Bible school. Being immersed
in college culture gives a young person the opportunity to let their light shine
in front of people that need to see it the most—the lost and hurting that they
go to class with everyday.
So caring leaders and loving parents, don't be afraid of
what could happen to your child when they go to secular college. Instead, be
afraid of what couldn't happen if they never have the opportunity to grow as a
young adult and share their light with the rest of the world.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2003, Teresa Hernandez
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Teresa Hernandez is a writing major
at Susquehanna University and is a member of the UPC of Lewisburg, PA. During
the academic year, she is actively involved in the university's Gospel Choir
where she has the opportunity to share her ministry through song. Upon
graduation, Teresa aspires to reach the long-coveted goal of being the first
person in Pentecost not to be married by the age of 30.
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