The Challenges and Rewards of Planting a Church on a College Campus
Listen to the conversation
Episode 1 · 38 min
On a routine hike, Brooke Davis was bitten by a rattlesnake. She survived, and the experience became a reminder of God's faithfulness during a season when she was answering God's call to plant a church and learning to trust Him through the challenges of ministry.
In this episode of the Collegiate Church Network Podcast, host Jay Bennet chats with Brooke about her wild adventure on the way to leadership training, her passion for church planting, and how God has used her experiences to shape her ministry. Brooke’s story is full of humor, wisdom, and the kind of faith that inspires you to take your next bold step.
A Wild Encounter in the Badlands
Most people’s road trips involve snacks, podcasts, and maybe a detour or two. But Brooke’s drive to leadership training took an unexpected turn when she was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking in Badlands National Park.
“I felt what seemed like a bee sting on my ankle, and then I heard the rattle,” Brooke recounts. “When I looked down, my ankle was bleeding, and I knew what had happened.”
From there, chaos unfolded: a rush to the visitor center, EMTs, and two nights in the hospital requiring 34 vials of antivenom. Yet, through the fear and uncertainty, Brooke felt a deep peace. “I just knew I was going to be okay,” she says. “One way or another, I’m with Jesus. It’s going to be okay.”
That peace carried her through a moment that could have derailed her, and it reminded her that God was with her even in the middle of the Badlands.
The Heartbeat of Church Planting
Brooke started caring about church planting in her sophomore year of college, when a mentor described his vision for starting churches where there were none. “It broke my heart to think about the students like me—coming to college without knowing Jesus,” she shares. “I wanted to do something about it.”
In 2021, Brooke and her team began preparing to plant H2O Church at Youngstown State University. They spent months praying, fasting and working together. “We had to lay everything at the foot of the cross,” Brooke explains. “Ultimately, we just trusted Jesus to show us where to go.”
The result? A thriving church on a campus that previously had no local church presence.
A Story That Makes It All Worth It
Brooke recalls a student named Mike, who walked past their campus volleyball game during their first semester at YSU. Despite being new to the U.S., Mike joined the game, attended a life group, and eventually came to a retreat.
“I’ll never forget when he said, ‘Everyone keeps talking about this Jesus, but I don’t know who that is,’” Brooke says.
Through discipleship and relationships, Mike surrendered his life to Jesus, went on an international mission trip, and became a life group leader. “Seeing Mike’s transformation is why we do this,” Brooke says. “It’s what makes all the sacrifice worth it.”
Surprises and Challenges
Church planting brought good surprises and hard ones. For Brooke, one of the hardest parts was adjusting to a new campus culture. “Youngstown State isn’t Kent State,” she says. “We had to become students of the culture and figure out how to bring the gospel in a way that made sense here.”
On the flip side, Brooke was surprised by the deep friendships that formed within her team. “These are some of my best friends,” she says. “The unity we’ve experienced has been such a sweet blessing.”
What’s Grounding Brooke Right Now
These practices have helped Brooke stay grounded in ministry:
Rest and Sabbath. Learning to say no has changed a lot for her. “Saying no now helps me give a better yes later,” Brooke says.
Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller: This book reshaped how Brooke views work, emphasizing that work can be worship when done for God’s glory.
The Collegiate Mentoring Program (CMP): A space for personal assessment and growth, CMP helped Brooke confront a false belief that she had to prove her worth to God.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Church Planters
Brooke’s advice for those considering church planting? “Start praying. Dive into scripture. Let your heart break for lost people.” She emphasizes the importance of staying centered on God’s mission. “Church planting isn’t about you—it’s about being part of God’s bigger plan to redeem the world.”
And for anyone in ministry: “It’s okay to mess up. The gospel is true for you, too. Repent, rest, and keep going.”
A Final Word
“Jesus is worth it,” Brooke says. “Church planting is hard, but you’ll learn things about God and yourself that you couldn’t discover any other way.”
From a rattlesnake bite to watching students' lives change to adjusting to a new campus, Brooke has seen God stay faithful. He equips the people He calls and goes with them.
Guests & resources
Meet the guest
- Brooke Davis
Reliant ministry story
Mentioned in this episode
- Every Good Endeavor — Timothy Keller
- Collegiate Mentoring Program
Contact Collegiate for current CMP details and access.