Power to Change – Students, a member of Power to Change Ministries, is committed to communicating the message of God’s love and forgiveness as an essential part of student life. P2C-S seeks to engage thousands of students each year and encourage them in their spiritual journey by building authentic relationships, effectively communicating the gospel, and equipping Christians to share their faith.

Executive Summary from P2C-S:

P2C-S proposes launching a High School Transition Program (HSTP) that will support and strengthen the faith development of high school graduates as they transition to university life. Research confirms that these transition years represent one of the greatest periods of dropout from the Christian faith. Startling numbers of young people who grow up in Christian environments are walking away from church, faith and God, many to never come back. Among young adults with a Christian upbringing, 59% have dropped out of church after attending regularly, while 32% reject the faith of their parents. However, we also know that young people are desperate for authentic spiritual community and relationships, where they can safely ask questions and genuinely live out faith.

HSTP bridges two crucial chapters of a young person’s life. On one hand, family and the local church make incredible investment into the spiritual development of young people. On the other hand, campus ministries and university churches do a wonderful job of discipling Christian young adults. But what ministry exists in between? How are we intentionally journeying with our young people to protect and nurture their faith during this critical transition?

The P2C-S leadership team have developed the HSTP with the vision of seeing every Grade 12 Christian student in Canada have the opportunity to connect with a faith community local to their college or university. We will: 1) Develop a diverse network of partners to champion our vision, 2) Engage and journey with hundreds of graduating high school students as they transition to university life, and 3) Create an online community where partners can learn more about our ministry and transitioning students can get connected with Christian groups before they depart for college or university.

Measurable Outcomes:

• Find and develop 20 Champions to partner in the HSTP vision, ranging from Christian schools, Christian summer camps, churches and youth groups, and Christian youth organizations
• Speak to over 500 Grade 12 students about HSTP, and help 250 students make the transition to a faith community at their post-secondary destination.
• Develop an engaging digital community that provides students, parents, and youth influencers resources to prepare their students, as well as opportunities to interact with Power to Change – Students staff and each other. Through this, identify 1000 unique online visitors and help 150 students get connected with a faith community on campus.