Recorded live at the Collegiate Conference in Champaign, Illinois, this conversation features two IlliniLife leaders with very different work lives and the same deep commitment to the local church and campus mission field.

Nick Majeski came to the University of Illinois to become an engineer, then sensed God’s call toward vocational ministry, but not immediately. After graduation, he spent five years working as a network engineer on campus, discipling students from the inside, before turning down a major salary jump to join staff. Along the way, God used unlikely doors, persistent mentors, and even a triathlon to shape his calling and widen his reach.

Kyle Kloepper followed a different path: full-time engineer, full-time church member. He shares why he stayed rooted in Champaign even as bigger markets tried to pull him away, how God provided work at key moments, and why the church needs committed professionals who view ministry as non-negotiable, not optional.

Together, Nick and Kyle talk about discipleship that lasts decades, the power of calling people to stay, the tension of money vs. obedience, and what they’d say to students and missionaries making decisions right now. If you’ve ever wondered what faithfulness can look like after graduation, this episode is a clear, steady invitation: pour your life out for Christ, wherever you are, and trust that God can do more than you can see.

https://www.collegiate.church/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/collegiate.church/

What does it look like when the local church takes responsibility for reaching the university campus? In this episode, Jay sits down with Miriam Swanson, evangelist, speaker, and National Director of Fusion USA. Miriam shares her journey from a student at the University of York to championing the role of the church in discipling college students across continents. With stories ranging from choosing a church based on where her non-Christian friends might feel welcome to moving into overlooked neighborhoods as an act of obedience, Miriam’s life reflects a contagious passion for Jesus and the next generation. Together, they explore evangelism, discipleship, and the surprising ways God is moving among Gen Z both in Europe and the U.S.

https://www.fusionusa.org/

https://www.instagram.com/hellofusionusa/

https://www.fusionmovement.org/resources/product/howtomakedisciples

https://relate.younglife.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKPWqTllHh0

https://www.collegiate.church/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/collegiate.church/

In this episode, Kristal Poff, pastor at New Life Christian Fellowship at Virginia Tech and co-director of the Adirondack Leadership Training Program, shares her 17-year journey in campus ministry—a story marked by God’s faithfulness through deep loss, unexpected callings, and a lifelong passion for evangelism. Kristal reflects on how formative relationships, personal grief, and a community that embodied the love of Christ shaped her vision for ministry. She offers practical insights on building trust, adapting evangelism methods for changing cultures, and helping students feel truly known and loved as a foundation for the gospel. Along the way, she tells powerful stories of transformation, shares her go-to scriptures, and explains why slowing down to walk with people is essential for long-term fruit. Whether you’re a seasoned campus minister or just starting out, Kristal’s wisdom will inspire you to lift your eyes, stay present, and keep at it—because Jesus is still changing lives on campus.

https://www.collegiate.church/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/collegiate.church/