Over 2,500 students from around the United States traveled to the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA, for the 51st Annual Jubilee Conference hosted by the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO). Twelve students from the University of Memphis attended in conjunction with Hope Church Memphis, which has an active campus ministry program through CCO and involves students from all around Memphis. The conference spanned two days, from February 16 until February 18. Its overall purpose is to help college students connect their faith path to their career choice, regardless of major.
Students and alumni were presented with many ways to connect their individual purposes to the conference’s goals, whether it was through workshops or the main gatherings hosted by the many speakers.
“I am at the halfway point of my college journey, and now itis important to figure out what career direction I want to go in. The workshops have gotten me to the point where I feel that God wants me to go in the path of education,” said Tarik Wilkins, a U of M junior majoring in professional studies with a concentration in organizational leadership and a minor in education.
Wilkins also helped lead a workshop at Jubilee on how faith can be seen in different ways. One example is faith through anime. “God cares about all of our interests, and this reaches out to things such as anime. It was a way to determine that God has a say in any way we see entertainment,” Wilkins said.
“My favorite partof the conference was reconnecting with old and new friends, especially seeing people I have not seen in a while and having fun with them,” said Tobi Areola, a U of M class of 2023 alum.
CCO Memphis has a tradition of incorporating their version of the hype and culture that Memphis is known for by holding up signs referencing Memphis while dancing to the worship songs. “A lot of people tend to be very shy, and I don’t tend to be quiet at all. Every single year, I made it my goal to be as hyped as possible and to get everyone involved as much as possible,” said Jonathan Johnson, a senior finance major at U of M.
In the eyes of leaders like Heather Strong Moore, the director of the CCO Campus Ministry in the Memphis area, it is appreciated when students act like themselves in these situations.
“I think bringing Memphis cultureto Jubilee, especially through our students who like to express themselves so much individually, is so important in ways. Especially when some colleges in America have students who do not always have that freedom to express themselves or be themselves at all,” Moore said. “For our students in the CCO ministry, it can be really freeing to have that ability to be themselves, as well as expressing that we care so much about the work we do. Especially here in Memphis, where our students show meaning in everything they accomplish.”
For potential first-time attendees of next year’s Jubilee, the students of CCO Memphis have one message: Go for it. “Think about it first and realize the opportunity you have to come out of the conference a very different person,” said Spencer Leonard, a freshman African American studies major.
Christanie Tyus, a 2023 U of M alum and member of CCO Memphis staff, said, “There is always something new to uncover, no matter how many times you go. In my first time going, I had never been in a room with people my age who wanted to worship God, so I think it just gives you a new perspective on how you can live out your faith through this opportunity, which only works as good as you make it to be.”
