Surge: The portrait of a disciple

Surge, Christian Challenge’s annual discipleship retreat, inspires college students to take up the worthy task of becoming a lifelong disciple of Jesus.

In the Great Commission that Jesus gives to those in his inner circle, He describes discipleship. One who believes in the gospel and has by faith received the free gift of salvation becomes a disciple. Out of the gospel, this person endeavors to follow Jesus in community with other believers by making disciples, being baptized and being taught to obey all that He commanded.

This commission is the same for every believer, and there is urgency in a fallen world to bring others into the saving arms of Christ.

“Discipleship is not something in addition to the Great Commission. It is the Great Commission,” said Adam Groza, president of Gateway Seminary and this year’s keynote speaker at Surge. “Literally the marching orders of Jesus on the church is this call to make disciples.”

According to Groza, discipleship is fundamentally about principles and practices. Biblical principles are the beliefs that shape the way one lives. Practices involve the things one does to live out those principles.

“At Surge, we are trying to lay the foundation of those biblical principles and give practice suggestions but in a way that helps people to understand that in a lifetime of discipleship, how you witness, how you do quiet times might look different, but, in substance, it will not change over the course of your life,” Groza said.

University of Arizona student Mariel Howe best sees discipleship as a way of life. She is committed to expressing her faith in a way that makes her approachable to others.

“I wasn’t very expressive of [my faith], but then I had a friend who one day came up to me and asked ‘you go to church, right? Can I start coming with you?’” Howe said. “At that moment I had this realization of ‘why am I setting myself back from being expressive of my faith?’”

Within the context of college, discipleship begins with a culture of invitation. When students use their witness to bring others into an understanding of who God is, many lives are transformed and relationships developed.

For Ethan Windle, who serves with Christian Challenge at Northern Arizona University, discipleship is about building relationships. Spending time with others — whether that be students he meets within his community group or co-workers on the job — creates opportunities for gospel conversations.

“They see that you act differently,” Windle said. “They notice little things that I am trying to implement in my life. When they ask about that, it’s a perfect way to tell them about Jesus, and that is how to walk like Jesus did as best you can.”

Gospel conversations do not intimidate the average Christian Challenge student but excite them. Students desire opportunities to share what they believe and how that differs from the world’s perspective.

“Discipleship is not about isolating ourselves from all the things that the world throws at us, but actually learning how to follow God amidst all of that,” said Trevor Bush, Christian Challenge regional catalyst and leader of the discipleship team that plans Surge.

College ministry serves as a window in time where discipleship becomes a real practice, church becomes a priority and the gospel becomes central in the life of the believer.

“College is where I first understood the joy of knowing and following Jesus. I am a strong believer in the importance of college ministry,” Groza said.

“It is college ministry where people are being reached for Christ and then going in their chosen field or profession to make an impact for Christ,” he said. “So, we should be excited about it. We should support it, and I’ve experienced firsthand the benefit of that ministry.”

To fulfill the commands given in the Great Commission is the lifelong pursuit of the believer. Surge strives to be a catalyst for discipleship on college campuses across the state of Arizona.

Ellie Lambert is a campus missionary with Christian Challenge and a member of Mercy Hill Church in Phoenix.