Time and time again there have been those faithful servants of God that have tried to tame this "Wild, Wild West" by starting ministries of Campus Bible Fellowship on their University Campuses. Yet, it is the local churches in these College towns that are missing out on the "golden" opportunities of ministering to a wonderful breed of individuals called "University Students."

It is in "The Biggest Little City in the World," and at the University of Nevada, Reno that the most recent attempts are being made to settle into this unreached territory. It began with the congregation of the Calvary Baptist Church in Reno, Nevada in 1997. They saw the tremendous potential for evangelism and discipleship of students in their university.

A mission field of around 12,000 students, the campus of U.N.R. offers a great challenge for any group desiring to reach it with the Gospel of Christ. Under the direction of C.B.F. missionaries Doug and Debbie Rowland, this church has organized an Area Liaison Committee to oversee the ministry. This committee, made up of retired missionaries, a college professor, students and other lay people in the church, is striving to bridge the gap between their local church and the college campus by using the resources of Campus Bible Fellowship.

The A.L.C. has started an on campus Bible Study, Sunday morning Bible Study, One to One Discipleship, E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) Class with a Bible-based curriculum, and monthly fellowship times, to help reach the goal of seeing "University Students" come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and then to grow in His grace and knowledge. Students like Emily, help to prove the value and the extreme importance of a ministry like Campus Bible Fellowship.

"My name is Emily and I am a student at the University of Nevada, Reno. I am in my second year of college and Campus Bible Fellowship. When I was planning to attend college, serving God was the farthest thing from my mind. I was very dependent on myself. I thought I needed nothing else. God had a different plan for me.

God brought me back to a relationship with Him and to Calvary Baptist Church where I became involved with Campus Bible Fellowship. C.B.F. has helped me grow in several ways. Most importantly I have grown in my relationship with the Lord. God continually shows me that He is faithful and worthy of my trust. I have learned there is so much joy in serving and living a life that honors God.

C.B.F. has also helped me to grow in my relationships with others. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to meet with others during the week who also love the Lord. We are committed to not just learning and studying God's Word, but to obeying it. I appreciate coming together during the week to encourage one another in our walk with the Lord. What I like about being in a smaller group is that we really get to know and pray for each other. We can really see how God is working in each of our lives."

With the overwhelming number of universities in the United States today, is it no wonder that C.B.F. needs personnel to serve on these International Mission Fields? We need your prayers and we need you. Because C.B.F. is a ministry of the Local Church, any one can become an important part of reaching "University Students" with the Gospel and fulfilling God's Great Commission; even out West.