As an African-American campus missionary on an HBCU campus, I encounter a lot of cynicism and even anger toward Christ and Christianity. I’ll hear someone comment, ‘It’s the white man’s religion.’ That’s why the SALT approach is so important (Start a conversation, Ask questions, Listen intently, Tell the story). SALT is an effective approach with all students, but especially with students on HBCU campuses. Listening carefully with the genuine intent to understand their experiences is essential to HBCU ministry. And sometimes the listening is not a brief five minutes—sometimes it’s a four month or even a four-year endeavor. Eventually, it earns you the right TELL the story—the good news about Jesus Christ.

Reason #1: Authenticity

Newfound freedoms of campus life provide opportunities for college students to go on the hunt for things that they hope will fill the void in their lives. It’s as if super-churched African-American students are taking one last look over their shoulder before abandoning Christianity. When they come in contact with students who are on fire with a living faith, it’s like a match to dry brush. They quickly catch on fire for Christ.

Reason #2: Leadership Examples

Young African-Americans have always risen to opportunities. However, in so many cases, it’s only after seeing someone else break through the color barrier. Nowhere in our culture is that more prevalent than in the church. As it’s been said, ‘Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America.’ That’s one of the unique aspects of Every Nation Campus. It’s a very ethnically diverse organization where everyone is given the opportunity to make an impact for Christ. When I saw Steve Johnson, an African-American Every Nation Campus director, making disciples at Tennessee State University, my sense of calling radically changed. I said to myself, I could do that. I could be that guy! It’s amazing how many will follow if only a few lead the way.

Reason #3: Identity in Christ

The Apostle Paul wrote: ‘For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise’ (Galatians 3:27–29).

I struggled for a long time figuring out how to ground my self-identity in the person and work of Jesus Christ—in him above and beyond anything else. When individuals in Galatia became Christians, it didn’t change their ethnicity, their gender, or even their position in society. Because I primarily see myself as a Christian, that doesn’t mean I’m less black—I’m just ‘more Christ.’

One of my ministry goals is to win, disciple, and train a generation of Christian African-American leaders from the college campuses. There is enormous untapped potential among those students who are called as campus ministers, cross-cultural missionaries, and/or pastors.