Originally published in the fall 2025 Update Magazine. Written by Pastor Jeff Redlin.
Construction takes time, discipline, a plan—and it’s costly. Yet the thrill of watching something take shape, of seeing the architect’s vision become a reality, is incredibly rewarding. Jesus Himself said, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). He presented Himself as the bedrock on which the Church would be built. As the Master Builder, He continues to do just that—building a living, called-out assembly of believers who seek to know God and make Him known.
Campus Church first opened its doors in 1974 with a clear purpose: to preach the gospel and make disciples. A further goal was to provide a place of shared worship—not only for those connected with the ministry of Pensacola Christian College but also for the greater Pensacola community. For over 50 years, that purpose has remained unchanged. While every church shares a singular foundation, each is uniquely shaped to fit the time and culture in which it exists. Campus Church has a distinct opportunity to walk alongside college students, offering a place for worship, ministry involvement, and mentoring—all designed by God and just as relevant today as when Christ first established His Church 2,000 years ago.
“Many of our college students have discovered that through small groups even a large assembly, like Campus Church, begins to feel, not just like “church,” but like a church family.”
One of the most meaningful ways Campus Church fulfills this mission is by serving, not as a replacement for a student’s home church, but as a “home away from home.” Here, students can worship, grow, and engage in the life of the church. This happens not only through shared worship services but also through a host of intentional connections. For example, we offer several small group settings like LifeShare groups, Conquer Series for men, and Authentic Discipleship for women, offering students opportunities to connect with the larger body of Campus Church in a smaller, more personal setting. These groups allow for interaction, connection, deepening friendships, and accountability that is all a part of a healthy church. And they are available to everyone who is a part of our Campus Church family. Many of our college students have discovered that through small groups even a large assembly, like Campus Church, begins to feel, not just like “church,” but like a church family.
To help deepen that sense of family at Campus Church, students are welcomed into the homes of church families for events like Family Game Night where they enjoy pizza and games after a Sunday night service. They participate in fun, church-wide fellowships throughout the year that include events like “Deacons vs. Ushers Wiffle Ball Game” or a kickball game that pits the Bible Study Group Leaders against PCC students who serve in leadership positions. These events, and others like them, help make a big church feel more personal and provide a refreshing atmosphere outside of the normal worship service schedule.
And every year, hundreds of students serve in ministries involving music, children and teens, hospitality, outreach, and much more. Students sing in the choirs, join in a variety of orchestras, help behind the scenes with our livestream and TV ministries, lead services in nursing homes, greet guests with the hospitality teams, and so much more! And those participating are not only those who are training for ministry but also represent an incredibly diverse range of majors and areas of study. And really, isn’t that exactly what every church should be doing—engaging believers from every walk of life to advance the work of the church in the lives of others, even as God is advancing His work in us?
“Established and empowered by Christ Himself, the Church remains central to God’s eternal plan and continues to play a vital role in the spiritual growth and health of every believer.”
As a graduate of PCC, I have the privilege of watching today’s student body continue to benefit from the same “building tools” that were used in my own life so many years ago. The benefits and growth I experienced from Campus Church in the early 80s are still thriving today. What I received from this local church was not only timely, it was truly timeless. It is true that God is always building His Church. And to build His Church, He is also building individual church members. What a blessing it is to see God doing both—building His Church and its members—in part through student involvement and participation at Campus Church.
Do you remember overhead projectors? For years, they were a helpful tool used by many churches—simple, effective, and inexpensive. But like flannelgraph stories (I do miss those!) and the mimeograph machine, they’ve faded into history, becoming relics of the past. The Church, however, is anything but outdated. Established and empowered by Christ Himself, the Church remains central to God’s eternal plan and continues to play a vital role in the spiritual growth and health of every believer.
Our ultimate desire for the students of PCC is that they would come to see the timeless value and eternal relevance that God places on the bride of Christ, the Church. That they would not only embrace His ongoing and eternal plan for the Church—but also their personal role within it. Just as a branch must remain connected to the vine, so we must stay connected to Christ. And one of the primary ways God has given us to maintain that connection is through His Body, His Building—the Church.
Pastor Jeff Redlin (Youth Ministries ’87) became the Campus Church youth pastor in 1987 and served in this position for 15 years until becoming the senior pastor of Front Range Baptist Church, Fort Collins, CO. There he led an active ministry for another 15 years before returning to Pensacola in 2018. Jeff and his wife, Julie (Humanities ’94), consider it a privilege to invest in a church that serves the surrounding community adjacent a thriving college campus.