Being Christian at Carleton College

If I had to pick one place where the majority of my spiritual growth has happened, it would unquestionably be Carleton College. Although the school (a liberal arts college with just under 2000 undergraduate students) is reputably secular in general, it contains within it a pocket of students who are delighted to identify as Christians. It is within this community that I learned the importance of relationship with Christ and fellowship with other believers. I discovered that not only is prayer fun, but it is one of the most powerful tools we have. I spent countless hours talking with Christian friends about God, the Bible, and mostly just life and how to live it. I looked up to many believers within the Christian community during my first couple years, and soon found myself in the position of having others look up to me.

The Christian community at Carleton is unique in that the majority of the activities are initiated and run by students. In 2001, Mustard Seed, a worship band, was started, and the rotating lineup plays weekly worship services. A variety of student-run Bible studies cater to various needs, often forming in the middle of the year as students discover new pockets of interested peers (last year, a freshman started a study for his floormates in the dorm who were interested in the Bible, but not interested enough to seek out a study that met elsewhere). There's a college-owned house that Christian students apply to live in, and they host events, in addition to being open all the time to drop by and hang out.