College campuses have often been the vanguard of revival in North America, from the Great Awakening to the Brownwood, Texas, Revival. Realizing that they have a personal role to play in reaching others is many times the catalyst for students' evangelistic fervor and heightened level of commitment. On Mission talked with three students who have found their places in the effort to reach their campuses for Christ.

Robert Moore, 21, is a senior at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Heidi Kitchens, 20, is a junior at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. Brad Stave, 22, is a senior at Oregon State University in Corvallis.

On Mission: When did you realize that you have a part to play in reaching your campus?

Robert: When I first got to campus I was looking for a group, a family to fit in. Freshmen are looking for that--I know I was. I did all the wrong things, drinking, partying. Then I went on a weekend retreat with a campus group. They were different. I started going to their chapel service. In November I became a Christian. It wasn't long before I began asking myself, "What can I do for other people?" I thought I could help bring people into the same relationship with Christ that I had found.

Heidi: When I started meeting with my campus group as a freshman they focused on what a Christian's role is. They really emphasized that. I had never heard it so clearly stated before. It made me realize I needed to be trained to share my faith. I got involved and started going out on campus with a mentor who taught me to share my faith by using an outline from a tract.

Brad: I knew I had a part to play right when I walked on campus. You see the Greek system, you see business majors with dollar signs in their eyes looking for success. You see people looking for peace, hope and acceptance. I'm a transfer student and saw the same thing at Eastern Oregon. You can give people programs or make them a member of a group, but what they need won't come from that. They need Christ.

On Mission:What ministry are you involved in now?

Robert: We just finished "Different Week" and are following up with people who became Christians during the emphasis. With "Different Week" we wanted to see what student Christians working together could do. We ignored denominational labels, met with other evangelical Christian groups and mapped out the campus. We had at least two Christians meeting on every floor of every dorm praying for each person on campus by name. We saw 35 people come to faith in Christ and saw a bunch of people come to pray and set their lives straight during the "Different Week" revival. Now we have 35 volunteers who will disciple these new Christians.

Brad: I'm working with international students. There is a big population of Asian students here. I'm also helping begin an outreach to transfer students. For both groups it's a matter of getting acclimated to a new setting. For the Asian group it's culture shock. For the transfer students it's beginning all over again. We just try to help them and show that we genuinely care for them. Building those relationships gives us the opportunity to share our faith. I'm also mentoring a freshman, but to be honest I learn as much from him as he does from me. We do Bible study and hold each other accountable.

On Mission:How important has prayer been to your outreach?

Robert: When I was a freshman I started meeting with 17 other guys to pray for revival on campus. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. We haven't missed a session in four years and we're beginning to see revival come. We knew we needed to be serious about our commitment and that praying a few minutes in the morning wasn't enough. We've seen evidence of God's control in diverse groups working together in unity with no ego problems. We've seen schedules changed because we needed a building when it had already been given to another group. God answers prayer. Prayer was a major part of "Different Week."

Heidi: It's important to support other Christians in prayer. When you're witnessing to a girl on campus and she begins to cry because she knows she needs God, you have to step back and let the Holy Spirit be in control. If you push things and rely on emotion, you aren't helping her need. Prayer lays the groundwork for your time to share.

On Mission:Have you found an evangelism method that works for you?

Robert: I'm outgoing and up front. I like to talk. I'll stand up the first day of a class and talk to everybody. I know some people aren't comfortable with good, old-fashioned door-knocking evangelism, but I like people so much, I just get them talking and find out what they're all about. I guess I could talk to anybody. The week I was deciding whether or not to accept the position of campus evangelism director I had several opportunities to share my faith on campus. That confirmed it for me.

Heidi: I go out on campus and talk to people directly about their faith. But I'm really more comfortable building a relationship and then sharing my faith. I know I have a role. I always wanted to be involved in missions since I was 12, but I've learned since coming to college that it isn't something far off in the future, it's something I need to do now, where I am.

Brad: I went to Bosnia on an International Mission Board trip for six weeks over the summer. The people there are lost, but it's hard to tell people that Christ is the only way to God. I've learned that people's beliefs are important to them. You have to first show people that you love them, then you can tell them why you love them. You have to display your relationship with Christ and be concerned about the person, and then you can tell that person that Christ is the only way. On campus you have to make yourself evident. People need to see you live a Christian life. Then when they want to know, they can ask you.

Tomorrow I'm going to the recreation center with three Muslim students and later to a mosque. I've been to a mosque before. It can be a very intense experience, because Muslims are so focused when they pray. Later we'll go to the Baptist Student Union (BSU). I'll show them that I respect them and share the love of Christ with them. Once they know I care about them I can share Christ with boldness and respect.

On Mission:How did you get involved with your BSU?

Heidi: My parents met at the BSU. My pastor was a member. They were all members of the same BSU at New Mexico State. You could say I was destined. But for me it was the BSU's focus on Christ and the role we play sharing our faith. They didn't beat around the bush about what the Bible says and our responsibility as Christians. I really like that.

Brad: I wanted to go some place where I could serve. The BSU was a real welcoming place. When you come in and sign up they follow up. The leaders were interested in me and were open with me. I knew I'd be involved somewhere, because my family showed me that it's important to do your part. My parents are awesome. They showed me what a close relationship with Christ means. I've learned just how important that relationship is, and that we are responsible to show other people that reality.