Jeff Baxter - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Christian in College. Dont Forget to Pack Your Faith

by Chap Clark

T his is a good book. But more than that, its a really important book. If youre preparing for college or just beginning your college years, I hope youll not only read this book, but go through it slowly and carefully, taking notes and talking about it with those who know and love you.

Do you have any idea how many high school disciplesI mean the ones most people consider to be real Christians: those who take Jesus seriously, who sincerely intend to follow him for the rest of their lives, and who have made sacrificial choices in the face of strong opposition because of their faithend up feeling, in the months or years after high school, that theyve either let their faith slip into the background of their lives, or simply blown it off altogether? Theres disagreement over exact figures, but everybody agrees the number is huge. The question is this: As you make the transition into college and beyond, how will you not only keep your faith, but also flourish as a powerful, committed, vibrant follower of Jesus? Thats what this book is all about.

Jeff Baxter wrote this book to help you grab hold of all that God has for you. The Ultimate Guide to Being a ChristianinCollege is an honest, clear, and practical guide that will give you the chance to really soar as you explore Christs unique calling for you. If you sincerely go after whats here, you will be changed for three reasons:

1. Jeff gets it. He has spent many years moving in and around the lives of high school and college students. He has spent lots of time (and money) to get a top-level education that helps him understand how growing up today is different than it was even ten years ago. And Jeff has dedicated himself to pursuing Christ with everything hes got. Even though hes far from perfect (I know him pretty well), he knows the Christian life that usually gets talked about can be far different from how it works out in real life. Jeff gets it and he cares. You are safe and respected in his hands.

2. Most of whats in this book will probably be new to you and to your parents, friends, and even your youth leaderbut you need to know it. As you read this book, be sure to take notes, pray, and open yourself up to others who can walk with you through the issues Jeff highlights. The new insights he shares will give you a deeper awareness of who you are, what trips you up and why, and where youre going as the person God created and called. This is not a textbook; it is a friend and a guide that can help you see more clearly where you are headed and where your steps are landing along the way.

If you will read carefully and listen carefully to God through the Scriptures, by his Spirit, and in the words of others, you will discover that the gospel is more about the place God is taking you than the places you have been. The more you can cultivate a forward-leaning trust in Jesus, especially compared with a faith that worries or compromises or is shackled by the past, the more you will see and experience the power of God working in your life.

You see, our lives and our growth are not for us; they are for our Lord. Life comes down to a single adventurefollowing Gods lead as he brings in his kingdom and living out this quest alongside all who have heard and responded to his call. As you grow into the man or woman God created and bought to new life through his Spirit, this book will be an important friend along the way.

Chap Clark, PhD

Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture

Fuller Theological Seminary

(or The Part Most of Us Dont Read but Really Should)

Im excited to get out into the real world and become who God intends me to be, but Im extremely nervous. What if I fail? How will I know if Im doing what I should? I pray about my future a lot, that God will help me to make the right decisions.

Jaclyn, 17

H i, Im Jeffthe guy who wrote this book. Im thrilled youre reading it because I believe it has the potential to alter your life for good and grow you closer to God as you move into a real-world adventure.

The Ultimate Guide to Being a Christian in College is written for high school students and recent graduates who are making the transition from life in high school to life in the real world. Whether your next step is college, a job, or something else, my goal is to help you ask the right questions and really think about what it means to follow Jesus. Its my hope that this book will also be helpful to parents, youth pastors, teachers, and others who seek to partner with students as they make the all-important transition from high school to life after graduation.

I probably dont need to tell you that the life of the average high school student has changed dramatically over the past decade or two. Adults love to say, When I was in high school, I used to Doesnt it drive you crazy when you hear that? Well, times have changed too much for this one-liner to have much value. With all of the challenges and potential temptations connected with Facebook, Internet porn, advertisements, date rape, terrorism, depression, cutting, not to mention various pressures and stressesits a brand-new world out there. Did I mention its stressful? Im not all that old, but Im very aware that the pressures you face are vastly different than the ones I faced when I was in high school. Its much more difficult to negotiate those treacherous waters than it used to be.

Youre about to begin a new chapter in your lifea clean, new page. Allow God to pen the words of this chapter into a beautiful masterpiece of worship.

Ryan, 24

This book is all about helping you stay afloat in those waters. Its filled with quotes from teenagers just like you who are preparing to head out into the world, as well as advice from college students and other twentysomethings whove been through what youre facing now. These quotes were taken from surveys I sent out to hundreds of high school and college students. I also draw from my years in ministryboth inside and outside the local churchand do my best to provide you with insights Ive gathered as an adult whos not only a student of Jesus and culture, but has also worked with teenagers, college students, and twentysomethings for many years.

I hope youll think of this book as a buffet (or a reference handbook). Ive tried to set a table with a wide variety of foods that can nourish your soul. So with help from our heavenly Father, come to the book-buffet. Take whatever you likemaybe eat dessert first! Leave whats not helpful, but eat till your hearts content. My prayer is that the truths in this book will help you make a smooth transition into college and beyond.

Have you noticed you can customize just about everything these days? Think about it: Cars have custom designs from the front bumper to the muffler. (And thats just the exterior!) If you have a cell phone (and if you dont, youll need one before you leave for college), you know you can choose your own cover, ring tone, and display, morphing it into personalized eye candy. Your computers desktop is arranged just the way you like it. You can customize your Facebook page until it stands out from those of your friends.