I recently conducted a short interview with Creighton Alexander — Director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Alabama, Co-Editor of CollegeUnion.org, and Director of the Refresh Conference about the upcoming Campus Ministry Boot Camps that he’s offering. Here’s what he had to say…
Guy: What is the Boot Camp?
Creighton: This 48-hour training event is specifically designed for those campus ministry teams (staff, student leaders, and boards) that want to take their ministry to the next level. The boot camp equips campus ministry teams to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of their campus and the world.
Guy: Who’s it for?
Creighton: Whether you are a new campus ministry or an established community seeking to re-tool for a new season of ministry on their campus, the Campus Ministry Boot Camp will get you into position to live out the Gospel at your school.
Guy: Is it just for teams, or can individuals benefit from this as well?
Creighton: Of course individuals are welcome. The Boot Camp material is set up to help you train your teams when you get back home by working through the actions steps in the material. My focus on team training began as I started coaching other campus ministries back in 2008. I soon realized two things:
1. to be effective, campus ministers had to build effective teams, and therefore,
2. to be an effective coach, I needed to create an environment that would help campus ministers train their adult volunteers, board members, students, and staff in a systematic way.
Guy: What will you cover?
Creighton: The topics we will cover in the Boot Camp are:
7 nonnegotiable of campus ministry
Identify Your Mission Field
First 90 Days On Campus (applies to both new starts and established ministries)
Establish a Feeder System
Start A Freshman Ministry
Make Disciples
Master the Fundamentals
Synchronize with Your Campus
Build Your Teams (student, staff, and Board)
Raise Support
Manage Yourself
Guy: How is it different from other college ministry conferences?
Creighton: It’s positive. I help teams focus on what they can do to reach their campus.
It’s adaptive. No two campus ministries are the same, but the strategies I coach the individual teams through allows them to create a fit for them. It doesn’t matter the size, age, or denominational affiliation of the ministry – these strategies will work any where.
It’s proven. I’ve been developing these ideas over the past 15 years as I have served on four different campuses. Even now, it’s these strategies that I am using to rebuild the Alabama Wesley Foundation.
It’s hopeful. I love watching the lights turn on in people’s’ eyes as they realize they can do
Guy: How did you come up with the idea?
Creighton: When I first introduced the Boot Camp at Refresh ’10, I wanted to help ministry teams get into position to grow from zero to 200. What I didn’t know was that I would get to use the strategies to turn around the University of Alabama Wesley Foundation this past year.
At the Boot Camp, I am excited to tell you what God has done on our campus. Since coming to Tuscaloosa in 2011, I have watched a ministry composed of 22 students transform into a movement of 165 students who believe God can reach their campus. With only 6 of the 22 students making the transition with the new staff and I, it essentially meant we were starting over.
Most significantly, God has raised up 40 student leaders who are committed to living out our mission of “helping students find their way back to God” based off of Luke 15. This is the fourth campus that I’ve served on, but its been the best first year I have ever experienced
Guy: Who are you (personally & professionally)
Creighton: I’ve served 14 years in campus ministry on three campuses: SMU, KU, UMKC, and now The University of Alabma. I serve as the Co-Editor for College Union and as the Director of Refresh Conference (www.
I holds B.S., Texas Tech; and M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary. I am currently working on a PhD at the University of Kansas in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. My wife Nikki, and I, have three children & live in Tuscaloosa,AL.
Guy: When, where, how much, and where can we get more info?
Creighton: You can get more information and register your team at www.thecampuscoach.org/events
Your team registration is $300 — bring as many of your student, staff, and adult volunteers as you want.
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July 6th-8th in Dallas, TX (TBA)
July 13th-15th in Lexington, KY (St. Lukes UMC)
July 20th-22nd in Orlando, FL (University Carillon UMC)
Dec 13th-15th in Orlando, FL (after Refresh at Winter Park UMC)
Lodging and meals on your own, but we will have snacks during breakouts.
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Note: I’ll be hanging around at the Boot Camp in Lexington, KY — so let me know if you’re planning to attend. I’d love to connect!
