Why It’s Important:
Environment matters

At her first school, Grace’s experience was more isolating than affirming. Instead of being pulled into the Church and her identity with Christ, she felt disconnected and insignificant.

One trend stands out: Where Christian higher education helped young adults forge deep connections to Church and faith, secular education often did the opposite. In fact, one of the strongest indicators of whether or not a student would keep their faith was the kind of campus they chose.

Higher education is a normative experience for Canadian young adults. More than 90% of young adults graduate from high school and 75% go on to postsecondary education of some kind. This means all across the country, emerging adult students are investing formative years into college and university campuses.

For better or for worse, educational environments shape their students. We know that studying in a Christ-centred environment helped positively shape Grace’s view of God and  herself, while studying at her first school had the opposite effect. For emerging adults seeking identity and belonging, environments thatdraw students towards community and discipleship have enormous impact.

When Grace found herself in a setting that drew her into the purpose, mission, and calling of the Church, she began to thrive. She has grown in her faith, learned more about God, and found her place in His people. Studying theology and the Bible deeply, along with courses in the arts and sciences, has prepared her to think carefully about the world and to see her role in it.

In this kind of environment, through the care of professors and peers, Grace has been drawn into vibrant community—an experience that has awakened her to her identity and role among God’s people. Her education has helped shape her knowledge of God, solidify her identity in His Church, and prepare her wholeheartedly for Kingdom work.