The Handoff: How to Bridge the Gap Between Student and Collegiate Ministry

May 6, 2025

Josh Stephenson, Next Gen pastor at First Baptist Woodstock, and Trace Hamiter, executive director at the Oaks Collaborative, share powerful insights on bridging the gap between youth and collegiate ministry. They discuss the importance of engaging college freshmen and building relationships even before college starts. Josh reveals his top strategies for youth-to-college ministry transitions, while Trace emphasizes community’s role in this journey. Together, they explore innovative ways to prepare high school seniors for a seamless shift into campus life, ensuring a strong faith foundation.

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INSIGHT

Critical First Month in College

The first month of college is the most strategic time to influence a student's faith journey.
Early deep relationships with Christian leaders and peers strongly determine long-term spiritual health.

ADVICE

Use College Students in Youth Ministry

Involve college students in youth ministry to help graduating seniors feel connected and supported.
Organize special events like blessing dinners and summer dual memberships for gradual handoff.

ANECDOTE

Hidden Struggles Post-High School

A college student repented from a troubled lifestyle but was leading youth ministry events without his youth pastor’s awareness.
This illustrates the need for youth pastors to maintain deep, ongoing connections with graduates in college.

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Episode 8 of Season 5 is a recording of the recent GenSend Webinar, The Handoff. Hosts Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor are joined by respected ministry leaders, Josh Stephenson and Trace Hamiter as they discuss how essential it is to connect with college freshmen during their first months of college to ensure they remain solid in the faith. Josh shares his top 10 ways to close the gap between youth and college ministry, while Trace emphasizes the critical role of relationships and community even before day 1 of college for freshmen. Gain additional insights as the hosts answer questions from webinar participants.

Also in this episode:

Discover how youth and collegiate leaders can connect with one another to help their students quickly build relationships in college
Gain knowledge on how best to structure college/young adult ministry based on your local context
Learn new ways youth ministry can prepare graduating seniors for a successful launch into college life
Develop strategies to keep high school seniors from prematurely checking out of youth ministry before graduation
Learn how church-based college ministries can partner well parachurch organizations that also serve college students

Helpful Resources:

★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org

★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

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Shareable Quotes:

“One of the most strategic moments in a person’s life is that first month of transitioning from high school to the college years.” — Paul Worcester

“Ministry happens at the speed of relationships. We have to create deepening relationships quickly among college freshmen.” — Josh Stephenson

“College fraternities spend their summers connecting with potential freshmen who could rush their fraternities. Why do secular organizations outpace churches and ministries when it comes to intentionality and recruiting?” — Paul Worcester

“The main reason students fall away from their faith in college is actually social, it’s community. And so, how do we connect them to Christ-centered community quickly?” — Trace Hamiter, The Oaks Collaborative

“The largest missing segment in any church is the 22–35 age range, but ironically, that’s the largest population segment. We need the Lord to raise up missionaries to be sent out among this people group.” — Shane Pruitt

“People become who they will be for the rest of their lives in college. That’s why I’ve served college students my entire adult life.” — Trace Hamiter, The Oaks Collaborative