We recently led a sports camp ministry with 42 university students. More than 80 percent of them were undergraduates from freshmen to seniors, along with a few graduate students and some recent graduates still looking for jobs. It was a well-rounded snapshot of the current college-age population.

 

Our team serving them included three lead organizers, a local elder, two primary university ministry leaders, several local youth workers, pastors observing the event and six coaches from our East Asian team.

 

Our team leader shared:

 

“The transformation from start to finish was remarkable. These changes deeply encouraged every participant and left us once again marveling at God's work. Everything was His doing, rooted in His presence! On the final day, as coaches reflected together, we all agreed that God's Presence surpasses everything: all experience, all limitations and all of our plans. With His presence, we have our greatest confidence!”

 

Early on, our team noticed that this group of students was very different from others we had served before. Typically, the youth we meet are outgoing, respond quickly to encouragement and are eager to jump into the games planned for sports camps. That wasn’t the case here.

 

“When we took them outdoors, they complained about being tired, asking why they had to exercise … It felt like they were being forced to cooperate. We saw no enthusiasm or passion from them. They were reluctant to participate, constantly complaining about sore legs, aching arms, tired backs. They even asked us if we could move indoors.”

 

On the first day of training, everyone struggled. The team began to question whether sports ministry was even suitable for college students who kept asking to go back inside for lectures. Two of the students had only come because their parents paid for them; they didn’t even know God or have any real interest in Him.

 

About half of the students were used to traditional, formal approaches to leader development, and expected learning to be separated from physical activity, not integrated with it. On top of that, the local leaders helping with the camp didn’t fully understand the structure or strategy we were using.

 

“I started thinking: Should we change what we’re doing? Should we keep using sports to build them? Or should we adapt to their needs?”

 

Unlike traditional models, our philosophy isn’t divided into set portions of indoor versus outdoor time. Every moment is part of the building process. Everything encountered in the field is intentionally woven into the training. Our team leaders spent significant time explaining these core principles one-on-one with staff to ensure everyone was on the same page.

 

Getting the Local Team on Board

 

By the end of the first day, the coaching staff felt discouraged. They had given everything and still failed to meaningfully engage the students. Our team leader urged them to stay focused on God.

 

“We shouldn’t compare this group to past groups we had served. Our goal wasn’t to prove the success of our sports ministry. We were here for these students. Since we were here, our eyes were going to be fixed on God – on what He wanted to do in these kids over the next few days. We had come to follow His will.”

 

At the same time, she continued refining the program design, looking for ways to better organize learning elements and guide the students step by step toward breakthrough.

 

She also increased communication with the local team by gathering them for a two-hour overview of the core design behind the ConneXions Model, answering questions like the following:

 

• • How do we cultivate culture as a whole?
  • Why do we implement specific activities?
  • What are our objectives?
  • How do these elements work together?
  • Why use storytelling instead of lectures?
  • Why screen films instead of present formal teaching?

 

She grounded her explanations in real examples, tailored to the current situation and rooted everything in prayer.

 

The local staff were deeply inspired! Not only where they open to change, but they also shared insights into the struggles the students were facing. They didn’t need more classes or sermons. They had already heard plenty but couldn’t live it out. They were disconnected, often addicted to video games and stuck in isolated personal worlds.

 

Now our team and the local team were on the same page – willing to adjust to the program and encourage participation together.

 

Cracking Open Communication

 

By the second day, it became clear that the students weren’t resistant, just unfamiliar with our approach. The team intentionally built relationships, listened carefully and created more space for interaction.

 

“They began to open up more, and in so doing our conversations became more and more profound. We found that we could touch places deep within their hearts!”

 

As openness grew, the students relaxed. They began to enjoy physical activity rather than complain. The coaches’ stories resonated, and students started engaging in meaningful discussions. The atmosphere became lively.

 

Still, the team leader hadn’t yet seen the key breakthrough moment – the point when God’s work would unite everyone’s hearts. She continued praying, observing and adjusting.

 

She remembered a conversation with another student before the camp:

 

“He shared deeply about his loneliness – having no one to truly talk to or listen to his heart. Though surrounded by people at school, he felt isolated. Because of our conversation, I felt a particular burden to focus on building relationship in this training. I think many college students share this feeling – they seem to be part of a group, yet inside, they feel like they have no one to really talk to.”

 

This led to the creation of a “group chat” session. They set up a room with snacks, drinks and small tables, each with a discussion topic centered on Christ, community and calling. Students rotated through conversations, discussing questions like:

 

• • If you only had three days left in your life, what would you spend them on?
  • Who has influenced you most? What did they do?
  • What struggles are you facing in your relationship with God?
  • How distant does God feel right now?
  • What is your relationship with God like?

 

The sessions were informal but structured, with 15-minute rotations to keep things moving.

 

“They began sharing deeply. Some sought out coaches to talk to. Some cried, some laughed – they all came alive. Some shared about their relationship with God, others about their calling. Some felt like life was meaningless. Later, many shared that opportunities to open up and chat freely like this are too rare.”

 

In later rounds, students intentionally connected with new people. No one was left out.

 

“I noticed their hearts were especially kind. There were a few special kids among them – physically and mentally unique. The others actively engaged with them, and these special kids also tried their hardest to participate, enjoying themselves immensely.”

 

By the fourth round, students didn’t want to stop. Conversations became deeply personal, about struggles, family, relationships and faith. As the rounds continued, the questions themselves became more profound and deeply spiritual in nature.

 

“That evening became a breakthrough moment. Everyone’s hearts opened up, relationships deepened and a longing for God emerged ...”

 

Local church leaders were amazed. One said:

 

“When you shared your discipleship philosophy on the first night, we thought it was great but a bit idealistic… But seeing this today – seeing them so passionate, so open, so free – I realized we need to change our approach. It’s our fault, not theirs. We can’t keep clinging to the old ways.”

 

By the end of day two, hearts were softening. Students began approaching the team willingly. One even said:

 

“I made some great friends without my phone at group chat tonight... But if I’d still had my phone, I definitely wouldn't have hung out with them.”

 

The Third Day

 

On the third morning, more than a dozen staff from the local churches showed up to observe. After witnessing day two, the local leaders had urgently invited others to come.

 

“It’s too late to send participants now, but you should come. We ourselves considered quitting on the first day, but now we’ve seen the students’ transformation. You must come see for yourselves!"

 

The team adjusted, explaining the purpose behind each activity before starting it to help the observers understand the design of the training.

 

A spontaneous mock game became the next breakthrough. Students played with passion and intensity. One of them said, “Coach, we haven't felt this kind of fighting spirit in so long!” When asked about fatigue, they replied, “No pain at all! We're bursting with energy!”

 

The culture built over the previous days came alive. The young people were visibly unified and loving toward one another.

 

One moment stood out: when an opposing player was injured, a key player voluntarily stepped off the court to keep things fair, saying:

 

“Coach, I won’t play. It would be taking advantage.”

 

The teams responded with humility and joy. The game ended in a draw, and both sides celebrated together.

 

The local leaders were deeply moved: “We preach love to them daily – isn't this love?” And an elder reflected: “After preaching to them for so many years, I rarely saw them embody these truths. This morning, I witnessed it.”

 

This transformation was spontaneous and genuine. The Four Dynamics were clearly taking effect.

 

Later, one of the coaches shared his personal story of trusting God through hardship and finding purpose. His testimony deeply impacted the students, many of whom were uncertain about their future. Students began responding, expressing a desire to live for God and share the Gospel.

 

            “God’s Presence is here!”

 

And truly, it was.

 

The Night of Wonder

 

The final evening became a time of worship and sharing – a “Night of Wonder.”

 

Students shared their personal experiences, insights and encounters with God. One of the teams led them all in a powerful time of worship. This team included one of the previously uninterested students, now passionately engaged.

 

One young woman shared how she almost skipped the camp for work, but didn’t get hired.

 

“Thank goodness they didn’t hire me – otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to come! I can’t put into words everything I’m feeling right now. This has been the most important and profound spiritual experience of my entire life!”

 

Several of the local church staff members wept on hearing this. They realized that true success wasn’t smooth programming – it was encountering God.

 

Another student said:

 

“God led me step by step. It was as if God was right there before me!”

 

One of the theology students had accompanied his sister only as an observer at first, but found himself participating as the days went on. He reflected:

 

“Now I truly understand that everything God does is best. It was not my sister who needed to change – it was me.”

 

Then everyone began to share their biggest takeaways:

 

• • “Lord, I truly encountered You this time.”
  • “My biggest realization is that nothing is impossible in love.”
  • “I never thought I could step onto the court – but I did it.”
  • “I never thought I could share so much sincerely with strangers – but I did it.”
  • “Lord, I love You. I want to tell you all: I love you.”

 

Those of us present were overwhelmed once again by God’s love, His heart for these students and His powerful work among them. These days were filled with God’s Presence, and we witnessed Him move in extraordinary ways!