I recently read an article called Off to College- Can we Keep them? by someone I dont know anything about, but he gave 12 reasons why college students lose their faith. Where I think this applies is- reasons why people that grew up in a Christian home and might not have ever really owned their faith, had a personal relationship with Christ- these are things that choke out any plant growing in their lives. Here a few I see at Furman alot-

1.Young Believers Think They Can Be Solitary Christians

Many young believers go off to college with what I call the "just you and me, God'' view of the Christian life. Separated from their hometown congregation, they think they can worship, pray, study Scripture, and practice the Christian disciplines all by themselves without fellowship with other believers. That's like a soldier thinking he can stay alive and fight Just as well when separated from his unit.

2.They Haven't Learned to Recognize the Desires and Devices of Their Hearts

It's an odd thing about us human beings: Not many of us disbelieve in God and then begin to sin-rather, we get involved in some clinging sin or start wanting to fit in, and then we find excuses to disbelieve in God. For this reason, the best apologetics in the world cannot succeed unless students know how to unmask their own secret motives.

3. They Think Good Intentions Are Enough to Protect Them from Sin

Like so many of the other stumbling blocks, this one is most prominent in the area of sex. For example, a Christian boy and girl may have every intention of remaining chaste but spend every waking moment alone together. This is an impossible combination.

4.Their Understanding of Christian Virtues Is Too Sentimental

Young Christians often confuse friendship with God with a state of their feelings. "I know the Bible says we should avoid doing such and such. But I prayed about it and felt that it was all right." Anyone who thinks like this is a sitting duck for the adversary, having become fatally vulnerable to attacks that would otherwise be easy to repel.

There are days when I wonder why God called me to Furman University, a small private school in the heart of the Bible Belt. But I am reminded- we have a mission field among us. We have a culture to redeem. As I walk the halls at Furman, I see people desperately in need of a savior, of a new life and new heart, of true fulfillment and love. And that can only be found in Christ alone.