Identifying Yourself as a Christian - Newspaper Ads

Placing advertisements in student newspapers is one of the most successful efforts that Christian faculty and staff groups have done on campuses across America.

These ads, which usually revolve around a Christmas or Easter theme, make a powerful statement to the university community.

Why do such advertisements? There are many advantages, but two stand out. First, it makes a strong statement to the non-Christian community that there are those who place a value on their faith in Christ. It really helps dispel the myth that those who are educated have gotten beyond "all that religious stuff."

Second, it is a wonderful encouragement to the Christian students. You can imagine their excitement as they read in their own newspaper about people they respect taking a stand for Christ!

This year we will be doing an ad just before Thanksgiving break in the Alligator with a theme of giving thanks to God. It features a quote from Abraham Lincoln. (OK, he didn't write it just for this ad, but he did write it during the Civil War). It is a wonderful way to stand together in our common bond of acknowledging our Creator and Savior.

How do people respond to such ads? The response is almost universally positive: Students and colleagues thanking you for taking a positive stand. Seeing people around campus pouring over the ad to see who is participating. A sense of doing something positive and constructive to change the climate on campus. Working together with believing colleagues to make an important statement to the entire university community.

Scripture: Eph. 6:19,20 - "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

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