For Ridi Kayumba, the executive leader of Campus Church, faith wasn’t always a central part of his life—but when it clicked, it changed everything.
“Campus Church is a group of believers coming together who love the Lord, and people who want to learn about faith,” he said, reflecting on his journey with the church. “I grew up in a Christian home, but I didn’t really understand Christianity until later in life.”
Kayumba’s experience mirrors that of many young Canadians, particularly those in their late teens and early twenties, who are grappling with their place in the shifting landscape of faith. Recent survey data from The Conversation , highlights that nearly 40 per cent of young Canadians identify as “spiritual but not religious.”
This group, which includes many students like Kayumba, often seeks deeper meaning and connection outside of traditional religious structures. His story suggests that experiencing faith in a personal, communal setting can offer more than just answers—it can be transformative.
Amaka Okechukwu, the co-president of Campus Church, explained that her faith journey took a significant turn when she discovered the church during her university years.
“I first got involved with Campus Church two years ago when my sister invited me. She didn’t give me too much information about what it was, but when I walked into that room, I saw a group of people filled with joy,” she said.
She also explained how Campus Church felt like a second home to her and how welcomed she felt when she first joined. “I still remember my first few weeks there, even though it’s been two years now,” she said.
Campus Church, which serves students from both Durham College and Ontario Tech University, provides a welcoming space for young people to explore their faith, ask questions and build meaningful relationships. For Kayumba, the church’s focus on community has been key to his spiritual growth.
“At Campus Church, we all have one goal: to glorify God and to make his glory known,” he said. “When we do that, it gives joy inside of us and peace that no one understands.”
Campus Church’s approach is especially relevant in a time when traditional religion is less appealing to many young people. The term “religion” often carries negative connotations for those who feel disconnected from the institutional church, with many instead claiming to be “more spiritual than religious.” This trend is evident among young Canadians, many of whom self-identify with this label, as they seek meaning and connection outside of the structures they once associated with organized faith.
Despite this shift, Campus Church has found a way to engage students by focusing on the person of Christ rather than simply on religious traditions. Okechukwu believes that the key question for anyone exploring faith is not “Are you Christian or not?” but rather, “Who is Christ to you?”
“Christ made some big claims—He claimed to be God, and the only way to eternal life,” she explained. “How you answer that question has eternal implications. It can change your life here on Earth, and it can change where you end up after. So, I would challenge people to explore that question—it’sthe most important question you can answer.”
For those just beginning to explore faith, Okechukwu also offers practical advice. “The number one thing is having a bible and reading it for yourself and see what Christ said himself,” she said.
At Campus Church, community plays a central role.
“We want to be a place where people can come and ask questions, explore, and grow. Even if you don’t believe in Christ, you can always come and ask questions, and see what people who follow Christ look like,” she said.
The church also offers a variety of events to foster connection and spiritual growth.
“Every Friday night, we have an event called Refresh. It’s a time of community, worship, we have somebody usually come and speak and it’s just a really sweet time.” said Charis Casey, the Co-President of Campus Church.
In addition to Refresh, Campus Church provides opportunities for deeper engagement through small group Bible studies and weekly prayer meetings.
“We have Connect Bible Studies on different days throughout the week. We have different leaders that lead those, and we have a prayer meeting once a week,” said Casey.
For anyone curious about exploring their faith, Campus Church offers a compelling invitation.
“We want to be a place for people to come to ask questions, to explore, to grow, to be curious,” said Okechukwu.
Campus Church is located at the Durham College and Ontario Tech University campus. Refresh takes place every Friday at 7:00 p.m. in SHA 133, with other events and programs available throughout the week.
For more information, students can visit the DCSA website or stop by a service to learn more.