When Logan Hershenow moved to Louisville, Kentucky, four years ago, he settled close to the University of Louisville’s downtown campus with his wife, Kara. Living just blocks from campus and a short drive to the city’s center, Logan discovered a vibrant culture and strong church community with diverse roots.

“The city is definitely diverse. The University may be less so, but it still has a very multicultural, multi-ethnic vibe. Our ministry reflects that, but moving forward, we are praying that the Lord would increase the diversity within our staff,” Logan, the University’s campus director, shared.

When COVID-19 restrictions forced students to shelter in place, the CO Louisville staff adjusted to virtual ministry, hosting discipleship groups and meetings online. But in early July, the staff experienced another major ministry shift. Instead of sheltering in place, hundreds of citizens marched in the streets to protest the shooting of Breonna Taylor.

The only thing separating the protests and the campus was an area called Old Louisville.

"The protests have come up to the campus. We've seen them often outside the University, several times leading to a campus-wide curfew."

Though he never felt unsafe, at least two separate armed militia groups encamped nearby.

“I don’t know that I ever felt like we were in true danger, but when there are a bunch of people walking around with guns, it makes you feel more alert,” he said.

As tension in the city mounted throughout the summer, CO Louisville invited local pastors to lead a time of prayer and lament with students.

“It was an opportunity to process with older, more mature Christians,” Logan said. “For the students who felt deeply affected, they had a place to share. For those with questions, they could freely discuss their concerns.”

But as protests peaked in September, Logan said the ministry faced another turning point.

On September 23, city officials announced a stay-at-home order following the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case.

“Coming back from that, we followed up with students, asking them, ‘What do you think about this?’” Logan said. “The general response was more of a frustration with how everything was affecting their personal lives, more than really asking about the situation."

“Rather than considering why these things are happening, there was a general feeling of frustrated indifference."

As students began to withdraw from the issues surrounding the campus, CO staff recognized a new barrier to expanding the gospel. For this next generation of Christian leaders, learning to engage in controversial conversations through a gospel lens is crucial to building a Christian community.

“Unless we start the conversation, no one will talk about it. There’s a sense of confusion that’s leading to frustrated indifference,” Logan shared.

“Students don't know how to talk about these uncomfortable topics. So now we see a real opportunity."

"We can help them gain eternal perspective and explore, ‘How does the gospel enter into this?’ and then, ‘How can I, as a Christian, engage in the conversation?’”

Though protests have de-escalated in downtown Louisville, groups continue to occupy the city center, a constant reminder of the issues facing the next generation of Christian leaders.

Like those in Louisville, many CO staff are helping students navigate unrest in their local communities. As a ministry, we aim to equip a new generation of leaders to share Christ in all cultural, political, and social contexts.

Please join us in praying for:

1. God to stir the hearts and minds of student leaders
2. Wisdom for staff as they facilitate difficult conversations
3. New opportunities to share the gospel with students who are feeling hopeless and lost in a divisive culture