CRC Students Discuss Their Faith on Campus

June 9, 2008—Once a month, University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) campus ministers Neil and Virginia Lettinga entertain about a dozen students at their home for lunch. In addition to breaking bread together, the group studies the Bible and shares their experiences as students.

Normally, gatherings such as this focus on the interests and needs of students from all denominations, or simply those seeking to learn more about Christianity.

While the Lettingas do provide ministry and times of fellowship for all students, they have set aside this monthly lunch for Christian Reformed students who are members of nearby Prince George CRC. One may question the Lettingas’ approach: isn't a campus ministry supposed to minister to all seekers and non-believing students?

But the Lettingas say they have found that Christian Reformed students need this regular fellowship just as much as their non-believing counterparts at their 3,500-student university do.

Virginia Lettinga observes, “These kids need to talk about what it means to be Reformed and how they are supposed to relate to non-believers on campus and in the world in general.” During each monthly “Second Sunday” lunch at the Lettingas’ home, students discuss how to respond to the questions they receive from their secular peers at the university.

“Most of these students have been part of very tight-knit CRC communities their whole lives and have had very different experiences from those of the postmodern students they socialize with here,” Lettinga adds.

The Christian Reformed Chaplaincy at UNBC, one of twenty-three North American campus ministries funded by Christian Reformed Home Missions, is the only full-time Christian ministry at the university.

In addition to their duties ministering to students, the Lettingas report to the school’s InterFaith Coordinating Committee, chaired by a member of the local Baha’i community. The pair also helps local pastors stay abreast of campus issues and offer a Reformed perspective among Christians on campus as they seek to encourage youth to meet Jesus.

In addition to their monthly lunches with CRC students, the Lettingas host Sunday lunch discussions for up to twenty-five other students, including seekers and Christians from other denominations.

- Ben Van Houten, Christian Reformed Home Missions

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