Travis glared at me from the back corner. Most of the other thirty students sat with the kind of blank expressions I had come to expect on the first day of a new school year. Not so with Travis. Dressed in a black T-shirt, with his head cocked to the side, his penetrating eyes never left me as I explained I was carrying out the university president’s directive by sharing my Christian faith. At the time, I was working for a state university on the West Coast, and I was a statistical rarity. The president had sent out a memo to the entire faculty, saying we needed to be more intentional about promoting diversity during the coming year. As I read his words, it was as if the Lord whispered to me that, when compared to the majority of the faculty, I was diverse because I professed to be a believer in Jesus Christ. I prayerfully walked into my classroom with the president’s memo in one hand and some thoughts about Christ in the other. “Since we are a university that values diversity,” I began, pointing to the president’s memo, “there is something you should know about me. I am different than many of your other professors in that I have committed my life to Jesus Christ. He died on the cross for our sins, and that means everything to me. My life has purpose and meaning because of Him. I just thought you should be aware of that in a diverse environment like this.” When class ended, and all the other students had exited, Travis slowly approached the front of the room. In a slow, hesitant voice he said, “About what you shared at the beginning of class...” My mind raced: I knew it. This kid didn’t like my comments and planned to report me to the university authorities. Travis continued, “Over the summer, I gave my life to Christ and was wondering how I would make it as a Christian while away at college. Do you think you could help me?” My jaw nearly hit the floor. Though this was what I had hoped and prayed for, I confess I did not expect his response. I quickly gathered my composure and told Travis that Campus Crusade for Christ had Bible studies and activities every Tuesday night. As the organization’s faculty sponsor, I then watched as Travis jumped in, and his relationship with Christ grew over the next four years.
For nearly a decade, I found other openings at the university that allowed me to give a vocal witness to my faith. Nonetheless, I grew frustrated. Periodic opportunities to share what is central to a well-balanced and educated life seemed woefully insufficient. Students like Travis were searching for direction and vision. Yet the best I could offer was an occasional and carefully-crafted word. Holistic education was discarded in favor of a narrow and fragmented education. I have often thought of Travis since our encounter more than 20 years ago. I can still see his inquisitive eyes. “Do you think you could help me?” In truth, he probably helped me more than I helped him. Travis taught me that college students need guidance to define and refine their vision. University of Virginia psychologist Dr. Meg Jay agrees. In her 2012 book, The Defining Decade, she encourages young adults to be intentional about developing a vision for their future. Jay asserts that decisions made in the decade of one’s twenties are foundational for all that follows later in life. And yet, those years are often wasted. The premise of her book is that too many adults today are “paying a steep price... for a lack of vision in their twenties” (p. xix). Significant work and meaningful relationships that could reap major dividends down the road are being forfeited by a lack of foresight in the early adult years. Vision matters more than we realize, especially for those at the door of adulthood. We dare not miss the potential of the formative college years. A university provides the ideal setting to engage students and help them envision what they might become for the glory of God and for the good of humanity. Olivet Nazarene University creates daily openings where I may now freely discuss matters of faith and vision with my students. It is a place where old and young together can “dream dreams” and “see visions” (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17) that lead to a promising future. As another fall semester begins, I will again be looking into the eyes of new students. Many of them will need a dream restored or their vision refined. It would not surprise me to hear that familiar question, perhaps from the back corner of the room: “Do you think you could help me?”
Dr. Kent Olney has not only distinguished himself with three master's degrees and a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon, but also with a stellar career as an educator, sociologist, minister, speaker, writer, researcher, sign language interpreter and student of human behavior. Firmly established as a thought leader, both at Olivet and in the greater Christian community, he teaches courses in sociology, marriage, family and human sexuality. Dr. Olney often speaks at churches and conferences, sharing his passion for strengthening families and applying biblical principles to marriage and family life.