College Pastor's Privilege

As a college pastor I must keep in mind that most of my students will be leaving me eventually. It’s a blessing and a burden if I am completely honest. One part of you are so excited to see them go into the world as kingdom agents to make a difference for Christ, but the pastoral side of you misses that person who you have come to love, respect, and potentially depend on. So this time of the year is filled with that conflict.

This week I have the opportunity to house one of my former students and his family as they are visiting. So, he, his wife, daughter and parent are all staying with my family and it is a beautiful thing to see. This guy who I have pour my heart, and life into now has a family of his own and I now stand in amazement.

He was one of the special ones. We all have those students that are so important to what you do. He was of such great quality that he worked on staff with me for a few years upon graduation. So to see him as a father and husband is such an encouragement. His interactions as both are indicative of what I had the opportunity to teach and model for him. Now, I see that replicated in his family.

As a college pastor I am a part of a chain of people who have sown into his life. His parents laid the foundation, then it was carried on by the youth group his was a part of, and I was the last piece of the puzzle that help bring it all together. It’s the college and young adult years that solidify their life trajectory. That is the joy of college ministry. We get a chance to launch people into their lives. So as much as it pains me to see people go, it is a joy to see them be who they were meant to become. So, I am savoring this moment, and loving on not only him but also his entire family. He is the fruit of my ministry.