In the earliest years of Campus Outreach, students would close out the year together at the Christmas Conference. In recent years, college students have welcomed the new year by gathering at a conference. The name has morphed over the years from “Christmas Conference” to “Recon” or “New Year’s Conference.” Nevertheless, the content has consistently sharpened, challenged, and encouraged.
This new year, 3,500 students from every US Campus Outreach ministry – and many international regions – came together in Chattanooga, TN. The National Conference is a huge story. There was also a second gathering that took place in tandem with it. This was the first Campus Outreach Alumni Connect Conference.
Two hundred graduates, spanning from 1980 to 2025, gathered upstairs at the National Conference; together, they represented 21 Campus Outreach regions. There was laughter and testimonies of spiritual growth that sprouted in their college days. Additionally, the conference was specifically timed to allow alumni to attend the main sessions alongside the thousands of students downstairs – and that was a highlight for many. One 2018 alum shared, “I was encouraged to see multiple generations of alumni at a conference with thousands of current students. I was excited to see so many alumni and how the ministry continues to positively impact people long after their college years.”
(Bronwyn Williams, pictured above, shared how the impact of Campus Outreach still affects her life. You can read more about her here.)
Another graduate, this one from 1994, shared, “What a joy celebrating DECADES of God’s faithfulness and answer to prayers! We reconnected with brothers & sisters from Birmingham, South Alabama, Brisbane, Atlanta, and now there are 100 campuses in 13 countries!! All glory to the Lord for grace upon grace!!”
If you missed this one, keep your eyes out for another! Campus Outreach’s 50th Anniversary celebration is just around the corner, a great chance to connect with other Alumni! In the meantime, click here and get a taste.