← The Survival Kit

REACH · The Survival Kit

A faith home near campus.You don’t have to leave your faith at home.

Moving to college can mean leaving your church family behind. Find churches near your campus, and learn what to look for when you visit.

Find churches nearby

Type your campus or city. Closest first.

The place you type goes only to OpenStreetMap, the free public map, not to EFF. Nothing is saved.

Visiting a church for the first time

  1. Look online first. Watch a service on their website or social media if they stream one, and read what they believe.
  2. Bring a friend, or ask a classmate who already goes. Many churches have a college ministry or a young adults group, and some offer rides from campus.
  3. Give it a few visits. One Sunday rarely shows you a whole church. Try a small group or Bible study too; that’s where friendships start.
  4. Come as you are. You don’t need special clothes or to know the songs.

What a healthy church looks like

Signs of a healthy church

  • Jesus and the Bible are at the center, and you’re encouraged to read it for yourself.
  • People are welcomed, whoever they are and wherever they come from.
  • Leaders are accountable to others and are open about money.
  • Your questions and doubts are welcome.
  • Your school, your family and your rest are respected. You can say no without guilt.

Gentle warning signs

  • Pressure to give money you don’t have, or to put church above your classes, job or health.
  • Being told to cut off family or friends, or keep secrets.
  • Leaders who can’t be questioned, or who say that disagreeing with them is disobeying God.
  • Shame, fear or threats used to keep you coming.
  • Anyone in leadership who makes you feel unsafe, or crosses physical or personal boundaries.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

If something at a church has hurt you, it’s not your fault, and it’s not the voice of God. You can step away, and you can talk to someone: your campus counseling center, a trusted chaplain, or the Lighthouse to reach EFF National privately. In crisis, call or text 988.

Faith on campus

Your campus likely has Christian groups too. Ask your student involvement or campus life office for its list of registered faith organizations. Kinds to look for:

  • Campus fellowshipsStudent-led groups with weekly worship, Bible study and small groups.
  • Denominational ministriesA church tradition’s own campus ministry, often with a staff minister.
  • Gospel choirs and praise teamsWorship through music, and a family of people who sing together.
  • Campus chaplainsMany colleges have a chaplain or campus minister you can talk to.

Your faith home in EFF

Faith is part of who EFF is. Every EFF chapter has a Director of Ministry (Chaplain) and holds Bible studies every semester.

Find your EFF chapterJoin a chapter and its Bible studies.The Holy BibleRead, highlight and keep private notes in MyEFF.Esther’s LightEFF’s ministry, its Bible studies and its chaplains.This month’s Bible studyThe national study every chapter shares.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.” Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)