Point Preaching Students and Q Union

Christian colleges and universities like Point are constantly asked “how many preachers are you graduating?” I often want to respond with “as many as you will send us to educate” but of course that would be viewed as a bit on the rude side of things.

The real answer is “not enough.” That answer is rooted in the reality that faithful, biblical commitment to Christ and His kingdom will never be “enough” until at least every person on the planet has had a fair opportunity to hear the truth about Jesus.

I am more grateful than words can express that I get to teach in a university where preaching is important. I even get to teach some in the area of preaching and ministry alongside of amazing colleagues. But I’m also thrilled that at the place where I get to teach, we actually believe in the biblical idea of the priesthood of all believers and have the audacity to think that every graduate of Point ought to be engaged in kingdom ministry!

I could give dozens of example about that idea – but let me offer one that makes the point. A few years ago a business graduate decided to go and spend a year in the residency program at Christ Church of the Valley in Arizona – with whom Point has a partnership. He finished the program with flying colors and is now coaching cross-country at Point. He doesn’t have a preaching degree, but please don’t tell me you don’t think he isn’t doing ministry! Like all Point graduates, he does have a minor in biblical studies to go along with his business degree and benefited as well from his experiences at CCV. 

I could tell you about a counseling graduate who is doing campus ministry with Globalscope today. Or lots of teachers in public school systems who not only excel as teachers, but take the light of the world into their classrooms every day. I could tell you of another counseling major who is in India doing ministry right now and several students in law school because they believe that our justice system is in dire need of help.

None of that discounts the importance of preaching majors – but it does remind us of how important the “stand-along-side-of” nature of ministry really is. To not recognize that and think that “only preaching students matter” is to revert to a kind of clergy system that the Reformation – 500 years old this month – pushed back.

But . . . let me tell you about three of our preaching major students. 

For the second year, Point was privileged to host a local gathering of Q Union – a part of the Q Ideas group. Led by Gabe Lyons, Q is helping the church  honestly address and talk about important, but often difficult issues.

The theme for last night’s Q Union was “Healing Our Divided Nation.”  Through a video feed, our students were able to hear David Brooks, a conservative columnist for the New York Times, talk about “Cultivating Virtue.” They heard Kara Powell, executive director of Fuller Seminary’s youth initiative, talk about “Addiction to Technology.” They heard Christian rap artist Propaganda talk about our “Critical Moment” as a culture and nation.

But they also were privileged to hear three Point students speak. Isaiah Ross, a senior football player, spoke on the theme “Unlikely Neighbors.” Abbigail Contreras, a senior cross-country runner, spoke on the idea of “Restoring Human Dignity.” Colby Freeman. a senior doing youth ministry in the area, spoke on “The Color of Kingdom.”

All three are graduating either in December or May with degrees in biblical studies and preaching. At Point, that is a pretty academically challenging degree, and all three have exceled in this program. At least one of these students will do the residency program at CCV next fall, but I have no doubt that all three are kingdom impact kind of people.

Two things stood out to me last night as I listened to them speak. First, they are really good preachers. Their abilities in communicating truth are impressive. Second, each one of them had something to say – reflecting the idea that a Point graduate in preaching is prepared not only to stand up in front of a crowd and say something – but to actually have something important to say. Third, they are living in a world of the past where so many pretended that the real issues weren't real. Their “nine minute talks” – a Q requirement – reflected four years of good education, a life-time of thinking about the kingdom, and a passion to make the world a better place. 

As the person who was responsible for the Q Union event, I had to pick three students to speak. The challenge was not “can I find three who will do a good job?” but “how do I pick three and not a lot of others?” And I had the same challenge last year when we hosted Q Union – “which three among many do I pick?”

I’m going to stick with my answer above: “not enough.” There really aren’t enough students like Abby, Isaiah, and Colby – and countless others like them at Point. But the simple truth is that if it weren’t for Point, there might not be an Abby, Isaiah, and Colby – and countless other students who are determined to make a kingdom impact on the world.

If you want to check me out and see if I’m telling the truth, you can check Point’s website and social media sites and listen to the sermons. But, a word of caution – don’t do that unless you are willing for three very fine young adults to push the Jesus story upfront and challenge you!