New minister dedicates himself to strengthening student faith on campus

Andrew Abbott sees more than just a university campus when he looks across the street from the window of his office at 1115 Broadway. He sees his calling.

The new director of the Southeast Baptist Student Union is passionate about helping students not just to find Christ, but to give them the tools and understanding to minister to each other.

The energetic 25-year-old leased the storefront so that he could expand the ministry. He plans to use the space to hold worship services and small group discussions at the new location instead of reserving Southeast Missouri State University facilities.

"We needed a place, not to huddle in, but to launch from," Abbott said. "I open the blinds, and I see what we're all about."

He and his wife, Sarah, have poured themselves into their work since arriving in Cape Girardeau in July because they've seen first-hand the impact that ministry can have on a young person's life.

"I have a passion for discipling college students because I was discipled when I was in college, and it changed my life," Sarah Abbott said.

The Abbotts' journey in faith began in Savannah, Missouri. Andrew grew up without a religious presence, and consequently had only a vague idea of what it meant to be a Christian.

"It wasn't a center of the household," he said. "There was always food on the table, but we didn't go to church or watch Veggietales."

To him, Christians were just "people who lived the Bible at all times and had cool Bible cases."

That all changed when he met Sarah.

In high school, she convinced him to attend church with her. Andrew recalled how, despite his reluctance, he "found the Gospel in that little corn-covered church."

His spirit was willing, but his faith was still clouded by what he called the "culture of Sunday Christianity" he saw in Savannah.

While attending Northwest Missouri State University, Andrew and Sarah met campus ministers Jason and Karin Yarnell. They helped the young couple to understand that being a Christian means more than just going to church.

"Christianity isn't something you go to, it's a way that you live," Andrew Abbott said. "And part of living in Christ is sharing your faith with others."

During his senior year of college, he said he felt God calling him to ministry.

After graduating with a degree in political science, Andrew Abbott obtained a seminary degree to pursue his new passion.

"Life is messy and unpredictable," he said. "God changed my passion, my focus and my desires and realigned them."

Dedicating themselves to campus ministry has been a life-changing decision for the Abbotts. Andrew had planned on working in politics and Sarah wanted to be a first-grade teacher. She now works part time at Jefferson Elementary School, but their work for the Southeast BSU has taken priority. For Andrew and Sarah Abbott, ministry isn't a job. It's a lifestyle.

"Sometimes it means I'm at home and I get a call and someone needs to talk, so I have them over for coffee," Sarah Abbott said. "Part of discipling students is inviting them to be a part of our lives."

That includes inviting students into their home for dinner or helping young couples navigate the challenges of college life. Andrew Abbott said the key to ministry is to treat others as people, not as projects.

"Because they're the ones in the chemistry classes and the dorms. Our mission is to equip them to minister to others on campus," he said. "I'm by no means perfect, I don't have all the answers, but it's important for students to see that."

Since the Abbotts' arrival, the Southeast BSU's small group discussions and weekly worship services have seen more attendants. In the future, Andrew sees his organization reaching out to Southeast's regional campus in Sikeston.

Everywhere they look, the Abbotts see good work to be done.