As to your specific question: “Would I be serving God more productively, if He is calling me to the mission field, in a Christian college?” I would think that what I said to Carrie would apply to you: I can't emphasize enough the importance of how you use your 4 years in college. Your experiences there can be a tremendously valuable preparation for a life of practical ministry.

However, this presupposes all that I said to her before. God does not mean for us to attempt to allow our lights to shine in the darkness of a secular environment all by ourselves. The New Testament knows nothing of “solo Christianity.” This is why I laid such stress on the importance of Carrie getting involved in a campus group. The Church is important and hopefully will encourage you, but there is nothing like being with other convinced Christians who are facing the same temptations, attacks, and darkness of a godless campus, and are praying with great frequency for themselves and their friends.

You faith will grow and your will be better prepared to be a witness anywhere if by God’s grace you seek Him, depend on Him, and testify for Him right where you are. By saying this, I am not disparaging the value of Christian colleges; I went to one. They certainly have their place, but if you have been placed in the U. of West Virginia, this is where He wants you to bloom—right where you are planted!

Thanks for writing.

Jack