Students Trade Partying for Ministry

Christian spring break alternatives have grown in popularity among high school and college students in recent years. “Across America universities have taken an active notice that there are many college students that aren’t particularly motivated to participate in the traditional spring break … what I call sun, sand, surfs, suds and sex,” said Tony Arnold, media relations director for Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC). “Millennials, the college students of this generation, they are very interested in being active and involved in helping America and the world become a better place.” Instead of partying their spring breaks away some young people are choosing more philanthropic activities. More than 4,000 students worked with CCC to help rebuild areas in New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina; evangelize the 4 million college students in Mexico City; and minister to the poor in cities such as Chicago, Detroit and Los Angles. In Panama City Beach, Fla., some 1,300 students witnessed on the beach, by pools and outside nightclubs in an outreach dubbed “The Big Break.” “Students from our ministry are able to [speak to] students from around the country and turn that conversation to spiritual areas and introduce students to Jesus,” Arnold said. This year alone CCC has recorded 2,500 student conversations about spiritual matters and roughly 80 decisions for Christ. –Felicia Mann