As more young adults search for meaning and connection, some college students are turning to faith – based communities for support.
At SUNY Old Westbury, Cru, a student-led Christian organization, will host a Bible study on May 7 from 1:30 P.M. to 2:30 p.m. in New Academic Building Room 1100. The event is open to all students and will include small group discussions, scripture readings and light refreshments.
Cru is part of a national organization that creates faith-based communities on college campuses. At SUNY Old Westbury, the group focuses on helping students explore faith while building relationships in a supportive environment.
“Cru is an organization on campus where people can come together, learn more about the love of Jesus and grow as a community,” said Devon Duncan, vice president of Cru.
The Bible study is designed to be interactive and welcoming, with students breaking into small groups to discuss scripture and relate it to their own experiences.
“We will come together, break down the Bible and have questions in small groups where we are able to talk and connect with people,” Duncan said.
The event is open to all students, including those who may not identify as Christian. Duncan said the goal is to create a space where people feel comfortable asking questions and sharing perspectives.
“Anyone is welcome,” Duncan said. “I had a friend who was Muslim come, and we were able to share our perspectives.”
For many students, that sense of openness can help reduce feelings of isolation.
“In a group setting, you see there are people just like you going through things,” Duncan said. “You are not alone.”
That sense of connection reflects a broader national trend. Research from the Barna Group, a research organization that studies faith, culture, leadership, and generational trends, shows that Gen Z and millennials are becoming more open to faith and attending church more frequently than older generations.
Additional Barna research found that 77% of teens are at least somewhat motivated to keep learning about Jesus, pointing to growing curiosity about spirituality.
Still, this shift is not without complexity, as students navigate different beliefs, skepticism and personal struggles while exploring faith.
Christine Keller, an adjunct professor of the History and Philosophy Department at SUNY Old Westbury, said the trend may be connected to the challenges students face today.
“Many students struggle with anxiety and uncertainty about what is going on in the world,” Keller said. “They are looking for some sense of connection and community.”
Keller said religion has evolved over time, becoming more open and accessible to younger generations. She pointed to the 1960s as a turning point when religious institutions began to loosen strict rules and make practices more accessible.
“In the past, it was more like you listen to what you are told, and you do not question things,” Keller said. “Now students are able to obtain answers to questions that can help guide them in life.”
Faith-based campus groups can offer support as students navigate stress, independence and personal growth.
“It helps them establish a sense of community and feel more connected,” Keller said. “That can reduce anxiety and help them move forward.”
For Duncan, that impact is what makes Cru important on campus.
“I feel like we tend to feel like we are isolated,” Duncan said. “But in a group setting, you can see there are people just like you going through things.”
As students continue to navigate the pressures of college life, events like Cru’s Bible study offer a space not only to explore faith but also to connect with others and feel supported.
“If you feel lost, if you feel like you are not seen, there is a God who loves you and sees you,” Duncan said. “We just want to provide a place where people feel welcome.”
Cru Bible Study. May 7 at 1:30–2:30 p.m., New Academic Building Room 1100 at SUNY Old Westbury. Free and open to all students.
