DAVIS, Okla. – More than 100 college students from across Arkansas traveled to Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center in Davis, Oklahoma, Aug. 2-6 for Collegiate Week.  

Arkansas Baptists Collegiate Strategist Chris Larmoyeux described the annual gathering as a time for students to get “refocused, reenergized, refreshed” before returning to their campuses. 

Joshua Mauldin, associate pastor of college and equipping at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, said Collegiate Week “is all about launching students into fruitful ministry, especially as they start their semester.” 

“We want to fill them up with Jesus so they can be poured out onto their campuses over the first few weeks of the fall,” he said. 

Approximately 139 Arkansas students representing at least 13 colleges and universities attended this year’s gathering. With campus ministry leaders, staff and other adults included, the Arkansas group numbered about 175 people. 

Once there, students participated in worship, recreation, fellowship, and breakout sessions focused on evangelism, discipleship, and challenges they face on their campuses. 

For Kaylee Walker, a student leader with Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, it was her first Collegiate Week. 

“I didn’t really know what I was in store for,” Walker said. “Having a week that was fully focused on God and being surrounded by other believers was so refreshing to me.” 

Walker said the week gave her an opportunity to set aside the demands of school and work and focus on her relationship with Christ. As someone who leads small groups and serves in her church’s youth and children’s ministries, she also valued the opportunity to be spiritually equipped to invest in others. 

“I was able to go to amazing breakouts and be intentionally poured into so I can pour into them,” she said. 

This year’s theme at Collegiate Week was love. Chad Glover of Abundant Life Fellowship in Kansas City addressed love for God, the church and the lost. Adam Groza, president of Gateway Seminary, challenged students to love God with their minds and prepare to answer difficult questions on their campuses. Kylen Perry, director of the Porch at Watermark Church in Dallas, addressed dating from a Christian perspective. 

Seminary professors, missionaries and college ministry leaders also led breakout sessions on a range of college-related topics. 

Larmoyeux said the combination of worship and practical training is one of Collegiate Week’s strengths. Worship gatherings provide encouragement and energy, while breakout sessions give students practical tools to take back to campus. 

Arkansas Baptists Collegiate Strategist Bit Stephens said Collegiate Week is designed both to develop student leaders and help newer students become connected. She also highlighted the positive influence of being surrounded by students who are actively pursuing Christ. 

The event also benefits campus ministry leaders by allowing them to connect with ministries from across the country and hear what God is doing on other campuses. 

“I always come back to my campus inspired by what God is doing, but also with new ideas on how to reach more students with the gospel,” Mauldin said. 

Arkansas leaders reported professions of faith during the gathering, along with students responding to calls to deeper discipleship and ministry. 

“Every year we see students impacted at Collegiate Week,” Mauldin said. “Students become followers of Christ, turn from sin, are called to ministry, or sometimes just get more serious about their walk with Christ and sharing Him with others.” 

As the semester begins, Walker said she is praying not only for herself but for students balancing school, work and other responsibilities while seeking to make time for the Lord each day. 

“I am so blessed to have gotten the opportunity to be at Collegiate Week and experience God move in wonderful and mighty ways,” she said.