There Is a Place for You Here: How Three College Students Found Belonging

During their four years of physical and emotional upheaval, a lot of college students long to feel like they belong and are wanted. Psychology Today reports that 64% of college students struggle with extreme loneliness at some point during their college experience. Having somewhere safe and fun to go to off campus with other students can make all the difference. Three students have found this sense of belonging at Saddleback’s College Ministry (CM) and are seeking to share it with others coming in.

ALEX’S STORY

Alex moved to California from Tennessee in the middle of the pandemic so he could study astrophysics, a program that most colleges in Tennessee don’t offer. He didn’t know anyone besides his family when he first arrived and was worried about meeting people with all the COVID-19 restrictions.  

He was familiar with Saddleback through his family, so he connected with one of the CM leaders online who introduced him to other students via email. He ended up joining a Zoom prayer group with other guys his age. 

“I've never had to meet people over Zoom or email before, so it was a unique experience,” he said. “However, I’m really thankful that there were those opportunities and I was still able to meet people despite the fact that there was a global pandemic going on.”

He said he found the strongest sense of community in the life group he joined that fall. 

“I really saw God show up in the relationships I was able to build,” he said. “I was surrounded by a group of people who loved God with their entire heart and their entire being …  I’m surrounded by a group of people who are encouraging me to pursue the dreams I moved out here to pursue, and also to pursue a deeper relationship with God.”

Alex said the community he found has helped him become more outgoing and friendly while also making him feel accepted. He decided to join the CM prayer team formed by one of the guys in the first Zoom prayer group. He can often be found greeting incoming students outside on Thursday nights, helping new students get connected like the people who first reached out to him did. 

“College Ministry is most definitely a home for me,” he said, smiling. “It's a place where I can just be myself and I don’t really have to worry. It’s a place of rest and filled with joy.”

LINDSEY’S STORY

Lindsey joined CM after graduating from Saddleback’s High School Ministry. She remembers feeling hesitant at first because she didn’t know anyone; most of her friends had already gone away to college. However, she ended up feeling at home very quickly. 

“The first time I went to CM was really relieving,” she said. “I was able to take a deep breath and that was really comforting to me, to be able to be in a space where I could just breathe and be myself and have a good time.”

Lindsey also bonded with her life group who helped support her through the pandemic. Life groups are how those in CM are able to connect with and support each other at a deeper level. She said going through such a tough time together brought them closer and helped her to become a better leader. 

Lindsey is also a part of the worship team at CM, which has also provided her with a great community.

“It’s been very special to see not only how far we’ve come, but to see how far we’ve come together,” she said. 

JARED’S STORY

Jared got involved with CM after hearing a sermon from Pastor Rick about the importance of community, specifically in small groups. He then signed up to join a Life Group at CM. He had attended a College Ministry service once before, but remembered feeling intimidated by the amount of people and leaving early. The second time he went, however, he had a much different experience and was able to connect with the people there. 

“What made the difference the second time was just the sense of one person out of the whole group reaching out to bring me in,” he said. “It made me feel like I was actually wanted.”

Since high school, Jared had been looking for a solid group of friends he could walk through life and faith with and finally found those people in his college life group. They had to meet together over Zoom initially, but the community came naturally once they were able to meet in person again. 

"If I could describe the College Ministry in one word, it would be acceptance,” he said. “I actually felt like there was a place for me there. I actually felt like there was a small group that had a seat open for me.” 

Like Alex, Jared saw himself grow in the community through becoming more connected with and welcoming toward other people around him. He grew from the passive participant in the back to someone who cares about making newcomers feel welcome and at home.

“In the same way that I had people coming up to me and investing in me, I want to be the same person to new people that are coming in,” he explained. 

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Saddleback’s College Ministry strives to create an accepting community for any students who want to grow closer to Jesus, be a part of his kingdom, and find belonging in his church. To learn more about CM, click here.