The beach was never the destination

The Ocean City Beach Project house is empty again.

The students have returned home. The shared meals, early-morning devotions, Bible studies, boardwalk walks, training sessions, and late-night conversations have ended—at least in Ocean City.

Over the past several weeks, these updates have offered a window into the first OCBP since 2019. You have read about eight students learning to share the gospel, practice hospitality, study Scripture, lead Bible discussions, develop ministry plans, and live together in an intentional Christian community.

Now that the project has ended, one question remains:

What will these three weeks produce when the students return to campus?

That question matters because the beach was never the destination.

The campus is the destination.

What the students are taking with them

Each student arrived in Ocean City with a different story, level of experience, and expectation. Some were already leading ministries. Others had never led a Bible study. Several admitted that they were nervous and unsure whether they belonged.

By the end of the project, however, the students were describing OCBP with words such as transformative, life-changing, moving, family, and a catalyst.

Essie came to the project having never led a Bible study. After practicing alongside other students and staff, she said, “Now I’m definitely very confident in doing that back on campus.” She also hoped to carry home the rhythm of reading Scripture daily and studying it with other believers rather than always trying to understand it alone.

Brandon described OCBP as a possible turning point in his faith. Before the project, regularly reading the Bible and attending church had not been consistent parts of his life. At Ocean City, he began each day in Scripture and even led others through Bible studies. He left wanting to continue growing into that kind of person.

Owen arrived nervous about joining a house full of people he did not know. He left saying that he would recommend the project to anyone who wanted to grow in faith. He spoke especially about the value of Christian community, learning from people with different personalities, experiences, convictions, and perspectives.

Victoria said the project taught her to lead with “open hands.” She recognized that leadership does not always mean doing more or keeping control. Sometimes faithful leadership means stepping back, trusting God, and giving someone else the opportunity to grow.

These are not merely good memories from a summer experience. They are signs that students are returning to campus with new habits, greater confidence, stronger relationships, and a clearer understanding of Christian leadership.

A different definition of success

Perhaps the clearest expression of OCBP’s purpose came from Josh, a student at Elizabethtown College.

Josh arrived as a capable and experienced student leader. He knows Scripture well, naturally cares for others, and is already leading Bible studies. His initial goal was to sharpen those abilities.

But during the final week, we challenged him to think beyond becoming a better leader himself.

College ministry is transient: students graduate and leaders move away. A Bible study centered around one gifted student may flourish for a few semesters and then disappear when that student leaves.

What would it look like for a student leader to build something that outlives them?

Instead of simply leading another Bible study, Josh began considering how he could invest deeply in younger students, prepare them to lead, and create a culture of discipleship and multiplication within his campus ministry.

In his final interview, he summarized the shift this way:

“Success is not based on the number of people that you lead, but the number of people that you can prepare to expand the kingdom of the Lord.”

That statement captures much of what we hope OCBP will become.

We do not simply want students to gather followers. We want them to develop disciples.

We do not simply want them to lead successful programs. We want them to cultivate ministries that continue after they graduate.

We do not simply want them to leave Ocean City inspired. We want them to return to campus prepared.

Where we hope to go next

This summer was a relaunch, and in many respects, a pilot.

Eight students spent three weeks receiving theological formation, practicing ministry, and preparing plans for the fall. We saw enough fruit to begin dreaming about what a fuller version of the project could become.

Our emerging vision is to develop OCBP into an approximately eight-week summer experience for 20–22 students.

Some participants would come from established CCO ministries and return better equipped to serve and develop others. But we are also exploring how OCBP could serve students from colleges where there is little or no known gospel ministry presence.

A student from one of these campuses could spend the summer:

• growing in Scripture, prayer, and Christian community

• learning to share the gospel and lead Bible studies

• practicing hospitality and relational discipleship

• developing other student leaders

• forming a practical ministry plan

• connecting with a local church

• building relationships with ministry coaches who would continue supporting them during the school year

That student could then return to campus prepared to gather friends, open the Bible, share Christ, and begin cultivating a gospel community.

This vision is still developing. Housing, staffing, partnerships, student employment, curriculum, and long-term coaching all require careful planning.

But the central idea is simple:

What if a summer in Ocean City could help launch gospel ministry on campuses where little currently exists?

There are students already living, studying, working, competing, and forming friendships on those campuses. With theological depth, practical training, church partnership, and ongoing coaching, some of them could become the beginning of something new.

OCBP could help prepare and send them.

Help build the next OCBP!

This summer was possible because churches, families, alumni, friends, and supporters gave generously. Many donors were personally connected to one of the eight students.

Thank you.

Your giving helped provide the house, meals, teaching, ministry opportunities, resources, and student assistance that allowed this project to happen.

As we explore an eight-week model, we currently estimate that the experience will cost approximately $4,500–$4,700 per student. We especially want to provide assistance for students whose financial situation or lack of an established ministry network could otherwise keep them from participating.

Would you consider helping future students attend OCBP through a one-time or monthly gift?

Monthly gifts would help create a stable foundation for:

• student scholarships

• housing and meals

• training and ministry resources

• outreach and hospitality

• church and ministry partnerships

• continued coaching after students return to campus

You can give here!

The next chapter

At the end of his interview, Josh called the Beach Project “a catalyst to how God is going to use you in a new position of leadership.”

That is our prayer for all eight students.

The project did not end when they packed their bags and left the beach house. In many ways, that was when the real work began.

The next chapter will be written in residence halls, classrooms, athletic teams, coffee shops, churches, student organizations, and Bible studies.

It will be written as students welcome people into their lives, speak openly about Jesus, study Scripture with friends, and entrust ministry to others.

The house in Ocean City may be empty.

But eight students have returned to campus.

And the beach was never the destination.

—Kenny Campbell, CCO National Director of Campus Ministry Resources