Several churches are banding together this year to create the Fusion Retreat geared toward getting students around Abilene involved in a local church.

With the start of a new school year, many students are excited about getting plugged into activities both on and off campus. Churches such as Southern Hills, Beltway Baptist, Hillcrest and Highland are  popular among university students, offering various opportunities to get involved with the college ministry.

Last year, Beltway started College Park, a worship night for college students at the Paramount Theatre on Wednesday nights. Students gathered for a time of prayer, worship, fellowship and Bible study. Keith Roberson, the university minister at Beltway Baptist, said the Beltway staff dives right into preparing for the college ministry.

“We pray a lot,” Roberson said. “This is a critical time in college students’ lives, and we want to help them connect with each other and with God through our ministry. We teach on themes that are very critical and cater to the lives of college students.”

Southern Hills is also planning activities to help college students get involved. On Wednesday nights at 7 p.m., their class options included Barefoot Church class, choir class and The Story Class. The Southern Hills college ministry also provides a Sunday morning pancake bar at 9:45 in the gym before class, as well as Sunday night life groups at 6 p.m.

On September 7-9, Southern Hills will join several other college groups in attending the Fusion Retreat, a time designed to bring unity among various colleges, meet Christian students from other universities and grow closer to God. Tim Savage, the university intern for Southern Hills, said he believes the beginning of a semester is the perfect time to get involved with a church. The Southern Hills university ministry begins this semester with its annual Campus Ministry Kickoff on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Hillcrest, another popular Church of Christ in Abilene, is also offering students ways to get involved. They offer Sunday worship at 9 a.m., Bible class at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday night LIFT service at 7 p.m., university life groups on Sunday nights, and online Bible studies. For more information and ways to get involved contact Justin Hatfield, the university minister at Hillcrest.

Highland Church of Christ also provides several opportunities to get involved in church activities. Sunday service meets at 8:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and the university class meets at 9:45 a.m. The Highland university ministry is also going on the Fusion Retreat. The retreat costs $35 and includes a free t-shirt, transportation and food for the weekend.

Beltway Baptist, Highland, Southern Hills and Hillcrest are only a few churches university students attend in Abilene. There are also many other churches making an effort to get students involved in their ministries and help them feel welcome.

Maddie Pounds, a new freshman at ACU, is excited about trying out different churches in Abilene.

“There are so many ways to get involved with different churches,” Pounds said. “I can’t wait to keep trying different churches and meet more people. Abilene is the perfect place to find a great home church.”