Across the country, youth workers express alarm about the large numbers of students who ditch their faith when they go to college. College pastors share their burden. As director of The Ivy Jungle Network, a resource for campus ministers, I talk to both groups. To help high school workers get a better understanding of what campus ministers think, we contacted some of the key members of our network and asked them: “What would you say to youth pastors if you had the chance?”

Here’s what they told us.

The First 7 Days on Campus Are Crucial

As students arrive on campus they will undergo a barrage of new ideas, opportunities, experiences, and relationships. Youth workers would do well to help their students make their spiritual growth a priority, say our experts. And to establish the best trajectory for a healthy spiritual life on campus, the first few weeks are critical.

“Tell students, ‘Prepare to be proactive about your faith.’ For most Christian high school kids, their involvement in church and youth programs has come through the encouragement (often the mandate) of parents, or through following their friends. When they get to the university these instigators for spiritual activity are often removed, or at least greatly diminished. I encourage youth ministers to have both public and one-to-one talks with college-bound students to prepare them to be proactive about their spiritual growth during their college years.”

—Nik Harrang, Every Nation Campus Ministry, at the University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University and the University of Seattle

“Things like their friendships, their roommates, their study habits, and what groups they will be involved in are all decided in those first weeks. I wish [youth workers] would tell their students how important it is in those first two weeks to visit some campus ministries, find a church, and establish their spiritual priorities right from the start of their college career.”

—Timothy Hudson, campus director for the Campus Christian Fellowship, the University of Georgia, and part of the national leadership team for National Association of Christian Campus Ministries

“I guess the biggest help youth leaders can give their students going to college is to help plug them in. Contact campus pastors ahead of time and give them your students’ contact information. Also, equip your students with information about the campus ministries. I think it’s also helpful to have a relationship with the campus pastors in your area, as many students will not go far. Promote the campus ministries in your youth group and follow up with the students after they go away.”

—Chris Kennedy, Chi Alpha staff team, Rowan State University, Glassboro, New Jersey