Collegiate Ministry Leaders Unite!

by Arliss Dickerson

The Collegiate Summit is about people who share the same, unique calling being together. As college ministers we often feel lonely because no one else in our day-to-day lives is exactly like us. We aren’t professors or teachers and we aren’t pastors. It’s encouraging to spend time around people who face what we face—students lacking responsibility, just like mine do. Or another ministry doing their enlistment projects on my students. When I hear others struggle with the same issues, it’s encouraging—even if we don’t have all the answers.

At the end of another school year, it’s easy to feel like your spiritual tank is sitting on double empty. Summit is a time for encouragement and spiritual challenge. I always leave with the reminder that college ministry is the greatest calling in the world. And I end up meeting some folks who I can talk to through the coming summer and year. Even if they don’t have the answers either, they share my concerns for college students and desire to see how God can continue to use me on my campus. That’s pretty good!

College ministry has probably changed more in the last 5 years than it did in the previous 20 years. How do we get a handle on this generation? One theme running through this year’s Summit is people like Gabe Lyons and Tim Clydesdale who have focused on understanding where today’s students are coming from and how that impacts our ministry. At Summit, we’ll be overwhelmed with new ideas specific to college ministry. I love being learning new things that will forever change my ministry. For me, Summit not just one of those places, it is THE place for all things college ministry. I am excited about the gathering of the college ministry family. I love it and can’t wait to see you there!

Arliss Dickerson retired in 2011 after 32 years as BCM director here at Arkansas State University.