Taking the Yard

By Shannon Thomas

Are you ready to help the next generation of students find a collegiate ministry that inspires them to impact and influence the world and reach their fullest potential?

Together, we can build a positive spiritual community that aspires to a higher purpose and strengthens each individual's faith in God. Our Taking the Yard Book

• Language: English
• Publisher: Taking the Yard Resources, Ltd. Company
• Release date: May 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781733402217

Book preview

Title Page

Published by Shannon J. Thomas, DBA, Taking the Yard Resources, Ltd. Co

570 Piedmont Ave

Unit 55223

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Company Website: www.takingtheyard.com

Email contact: Shannon@

This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked gw are taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked kjv are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked ncv are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked niv are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks

Scripture quotations marked The Message are from The Message: The Bible in Contemporary English, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Copyright © 2022 by Shannon J. Thomas, DBA

All rights reserved

Visit the author’s website at www.shannonjthomas.com

International Standard Book Number: 978-1-7334022-0-0

E-book ISBN: 978-1-7334022-1-7

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including international, federal, state and local governing professional licensing, business practices, advertising, and all other aspects of doing business in the US, Canada or any other jurisdiction is the sole responsibility of the reader and consumer.

Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on behalf of the consumer or reader of this material. Any perceived slight of any individual or organization is purely unintentional.

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

To my children Victoria and Caleb, you will lead a generation of faith leaders.

In memory of Beverly J. Metts and Shirley A. Gooden

Contents

Introduction

Section 1: Taking the Yard: What Is it, and How Do We Do It?

Chapter 1 Lord of the Ivy League—the Need for Collegiate Ministry

Chapter 2 Choosing the Best Collegiate Ministry Model

Chapter 3 A Strategic Approach to Collegiate Ministry

Section 2: Getting Started and Doing It Right

Chapter 4 Giving Collegiate Ministry the VIP Treatment—Vision, Prayer and Implementation

Chapter 5 Launching Like a Leader

Chapter 6 Playing the A Game—Disciple Like a Pro, Mentoring for the Masses

Chapter 7 Officially on the Yard—Becoming a Recognized Organization at the University

Chapter 8 Seven Pitfalls to Avoid in Collegiate Ministry

Section 3: Impact and Influence

Chapter 9 On Blast—Making Ministry Memorable through Marketing, Music, and Media

Chapter 10 Making an Impact Beyond the Campus and the Church—Influencing a Moral Change

Notes

Then the Lord answered me and said:

"Write the vision and make it plain on tablets,

that he may run who reads it."

—Habakkuk 2:2

Introduction

How the Yard Changed My Life Forever

In life, we will experience powerful moments that change the course of our lives forever. For me, it doesn’t happen frequently. When it does, it’s like an aha moment—an epiphany; a course correction.

One of those experiences happened in the middle of my senior year in high school as I prepared for graduation and the next chapter of my life. Months away from graduation, I still had not decided what college I would attend. Being the first in my family to attend college came with great responsibility. This was a BIG decision. I was well aware that my decision would impact others who would follow me. The pressure was on, but I fully understood a big decision required a big God.

After applying to several schools, I decided to take a tour of the schools in which my parents and I were most interested. One of the schools we visited was Albany State University in Albany, Georgia. This college sat on the banks of the Flint River in Southwest Georgia. I remember my visit as if it were yesterday. After arriving at ASU, we immediately realized that the campus was on spring break. It was a ghost town. There were absolutely no students walking around the campus aka the Yard.

So, what is the Yard?

At Harvard University, one of the main points on campus is the Harvard Yard. The Harvard Yard was the first major location on the campus of that prestigious university and the oldest part of the campus. The use of the term yard as a description of the campus was seen as early as 1766 at Harvard University.¹

The Yard is a term used by historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to describe their campuses. The Yard is essentially the campus in its totality. It includes the HBCU’s building, land, space, culture, community, and causes. The Yard is the heartbeat of the campus where everyone comes to socialize. It is where creative minds gather to enjoy one another. It’s the greatest place for impact and influence.

At historically black colleges and universities, the yard represents a place of acceptance, community, and unity. This is particularly important to college students who are looking for an opportunity to fit in and be accepted.

The Yard is more than just a place where students like to hang out. The trees represent an important part of black history, and they honor the black sororities and fraternities that do important work for their community.

Some have described the Yard, or the central lawn², as sacred space. It’s very important.

As I toured the empty campus, I thought, Why would I want to come here? This place is completely dead. There was absolutely nothing about the atmosphere that sparked my interest or grabbed my heart. At first, I had no desire to go to Albany State University. While standing in front of Peace Hall at the School of Business, a voice spoke to me, This is where you are supposed to be. In my heart, I replied sarcastically, God, really? You can’t be for real. Nevertheless, I knew the voice of the Lord and was assured He was speaking to me.

Just a few months before my visit, ASU sustained some major flooding that devastated the campus, community, and surrounding city. Even with all the devastation I witnessed, I was still at peace about making this campus my home.

I knew this was the place, the college, and the Yard for me. Although I didn’t know why God chose ASU, I did understand I had a purpose there beyond the books and the degree. God made my big decision easy.

God had a greater plan for my life at the Unsinkable ASU. During my first semester on the Yard, I joined the gospel choir. This was my first real encounter with any ministry on the Yard. I loved singing and touring for the renowned ASU gospel