The Launch Mission

What does it look like to carry your faith with you when the routines and people you’ve always relied on are no longer right down the hall? Annabel Baker, a chemical engineering student at the University of Alabama, shares what she learned navigating college, from finding Christian community to working through loneliness and growing in her relationship with God. She explains why building habits like prayer and Bible reading before college matters, especially when your schedule becomes less structured and there are more opportunities competing for your time. Annabel also shares how mentors, small groups, and a gratitude journal have helped her grow in her faith and recognize God’s presence in everyday moments. Her advice for seniors: start building those habits now, be intentional about finding community, and remember that you can make plans while trusting God to direct your steps.

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What happens when you leave the routines, people, and structure you’ve known for most of your life? Austin Gentry talks about what he learned when he went from a Christian school to a state university and found himself navigating new ideas, new experiences, and new responsibilities. Together, Tommy and Austin talk about making your faith your own, working through doubt, choosing your community, finding a church, and remembering that your identity doesn’t have to come from your major, your friend group, or what other people think of you. Most importantly, Austin encourages seniors to make some of those decisions before they get to college, so they aren’t simply reacting to whatever comes their way.

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Russell encourages seniors to look beyond graduation and start taking ownership of the areas of life they will soon be responsible for on their own. Rather than coasting through senior year, students can be intentional with their faith, family, friendships, future, finances, and time. He also challenges seniors to recognize the influence they have as the oldest students in their school or youth group and use that platform to connect with and invest in younger students. The conversation also covers preparing for changing friendships, finding Christian community in college, serving others, and addressing challenges before assuming everything will automatically change after graduation. Ultimately, Russell's advice for seniors is simple: count your days, be intentional with them, and be present in the year you're living right now.

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Matt Douglas, author of Unlocking College Admissions: Your Step-By-Step Workbook For Finding The Right College And Getting In, joins Tommy to unpack the college admissions process and help students and families approach it with less stress and more intentionality. He explains how to identify the best-fit college by considering academics, location, campus life, cost, and other factors. Matt also shares practical advice on extracurriculars, recommendation letters, college essays, standardized testing, AI, financial aid, and campus visits. Throughout the conversation, he reminds students that there is no single perfect college and that the goal is to find an experience that fits who they are and where they want to go.

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Senior year can feel like a race to make sure students know everything they need before they leave home, but Tommy emphasizes that being ready and being prepared are not always the same thing. Students may be excited for independence while still needing to develop practical skills like managing money and time, communicating with professors, building healthy community, and taking ownership of their faith. The Launch Mission Podcast aims to help parents introduce these conversations before challenges arise, giving students a framework for navigating them rather than trying to prevent every problem. Throughout Season 5, parents will hear from college experts, professors, ministry leaders, admissions professionals, authors, and actual college students about the transition into adulthood. Most importantly, Tommy encourages parents to use the podcast as a starting point for meaningful conversations and to gradually move from managing their student's life toward becoming a trusted advisor.

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Finding community in college isn't just about joining a student organization—it can also mean finding a local church that invests in college students. In this episode, we're wrapping up our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by talking about church-based college ministries and how they differ from campus organizations. We answer questions like: What is a church college ministry? Why should you get connected to a local church? And what makes these ministries such a meaningful place for college students to grow in their faith and build authentic relationships? Whether you're heading to a large university or a small college, this episode will help you think about the importance of finding both a church home and a college community.

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Starting college comes with a lot of questions—including where you'll find community. In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by exploring BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry/Baptist Student Ministry). We answer questions like: What is BCM? What does it offer college students? And how does it help students grow spiritually while building meaningful relationships? Join us as we share past interview clips about another campus ministry that helps students connect with others, serve their campus, and grow in their faith.

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College is full of new opportunities, but finding a community that helps you stay grounded can make all the difference. In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by exploring RUF (Reformed University Fellowship). We answer questions like: What is RUF? What makes it unique? And how does it help students grow in their faith while navigating college life? Join us as we introduce another campus ministry that encourages authentic relationships, biblical teaching, and a Christ-centered college experience.

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Starting college means stepping into a completely new environment, and finding the right community can make all the difference. In this episode, we're continuing our Campus Ministry Spotlight series by sharing highlights from past conversations about InterVarsity. We answer questions like: What is InterVarsity? What makes it unique? And how does it help students grow in their faith while navigating college life? Join us as we explore another ministry that helps students build authentic community, study Scripture, and follow Jesus throughout their college years.

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