Inside a Successful College Ministry w/ Shelby Holloway
What it takes to build and sustain a successful on-campus college ministry for 30+ years.
Breakaway Ministries is an ever-growing, 2,000+ attended weekly bible study on the campus of Texas A&M. From starting as a bible study of twelve in a college apartment in 1989 to now hosting speakers like Sadie Robinson, David Platt, Louie Giglio, and Jen Wilkin, Breakaway Ministries has seen amazing growth in their three decades of ministry.
What does it take to build and sustain a successful on-campus college ministry for 30+ years?
Obviously, growth did not happen overnight for Breakaway Ministries. But with intention and prayer, they built a long-lasting ministry that has impacted thousands. Before their numbers grew to the point of needing Reed Arena as their main meeting place, they outgrew conference centers, school libraries, theaters, and other churches in the community.
Currently, Breakaway has six staff members: a Chief of Staff, a Volunteer and Production Lead, a Creative Lead, an Operations Lead, a Strategic Partnerships Lead, and an Office Manager. Aside from these staff members, Breakaway Ministries is ultimately overseen by a Board of Directors that helps counsel and direct the major decisions of the ministry. Breakaway also has approximately 300 volunteers that help each week.
Breakaway’s current Chief of Staff, Shelby Holloway, joined us in an interview on Modern Church Leader.
“College is such a formative time in people’s life where they’re asking some of life’s big questions. Like, ‘What do I believe?’ and ‘What do I do with my life?’ I love that we can be a place where people come on Tuesday nights, worship God and ask those big questions.”
Shelby chats with Tithely COO Frank Barry, about the strategies behind making Breakaway successful, which includes building great relationships with the university. From the beginning of Breakaway, they had fostered those relationships–even before their services were hosted on campus. Now, they can host their services every Tuesday night in one of the largest facilities on campus.
We also asked Shelby how they got the word out about Breakaway. She let us know that their legacy does much leg work. Students know about Breakaway because it’s been around for so long. They operate a social media presence, but aside from that, most of their attendees decide to come based on face-to-face interactions around campus and word-of-mouth invites.
“We have a street team that’s on campus during the day on Tuesdays as students are walking to their classes… they welcome people and invite people to come to Breakaway later that night.”
Shelby’s advice to someone who wants to start a campus ministry or bible study?
Make sure you have two people: one with the vision and direction and one who can implement that vision.
“And then from there, just try stuff!”
For more information on Breakaway Ministries, visit breakawayministries.org
Follow Breakaway Ministries on Instagram @breakawaymin
Watch a Breakaway gathering on their YouTube
Listen on your favorite podcast app:
By the end of this episode, you will learn:
✅ How Breakaway Ministries got its start
✅ What works for them to get students in the door
✅ Advice on starting your own college ministry
Resources Mentioned:
Listen to episodes of Modern Church Leader: Modern Church Leader
Follow Tithe.ly on Instagram: tithe.ly
Follow Tithe.ly on Twitter: tithe.ly
Like Tithe.ly on Facebook: @tithelyapp
Other Episodes You May be Interested In:
Starting a Successful College Ministry w/ Mac Bridges and Kenz Durham of Delight Ministries
How to Increase Engagement and Build Community in Your Church w/ Pastor Peter Haas
How to Get Support for Your Ministry Startup w/ Stephen Mulder
Here’s a glance at this episode…
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - What is Breakaway Ministries?
3:30 - The beginning of Breakaway Ministries
4:50 - How the relationship works between the ministry and the university
7:16 - What a Tuesday Night looks like at Breakaway Ministry
9:50 - What brings people to the bible study
12:30 - The changes Breakaway has seen since Covid
15:20 - How does Breakaway Ministries spread the word around campus?
17:50 - How Breakaway Ministries is further involved on campus
19:52 - What advice would you give to someone who is just starting a college ministry?
22:45 - Where to find Breakaway Ministries
23:04 - Rapid Fire Questions with Shelby Holloway
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Breakaway Ministries is an ever-growing, 2,000+ attended weekly bible study on the campus of Texas A&M. From starting as a bible study of twelve in a college apartment in 1989 to now hosting speakers like Sadie Robinson, David Platt, Louie Giglio, and Jen Wilkin, Breakaway Ministries has seen amazing growth in their three decades of ministry.
What does it take to build and sustain a successful on-campus college ministry for 30+ years?
Obviously, growth did not happen overnight for Breakaway Ministries. But with intention and prayer, they built a long-lasting ministry that has impacted thousands. Before their numbers grew to the point of needing Reed Arena as their main meeting place, they outgrew conference centers, school libraries, theaters, and other churches in the community.
Currently, Breakaway has six staff members: a Chief of Staff, a Volunteer and Production Lead, a Creative Lead, an Operations Lead, a Strategic Partnerships Lead, and an Office Manager. Aside from these staff members, Breakaway Ministries is ultimately overseen by a Board of Directors that helps counsel and direct the major decisions of the ministry. Breakaway also has approximately 300 volunteers that help each week.
Breakaway’s current Chief of Staff, Shelby Holloway, joined us in an interview on Modern Church Leader.
“College is such a formative time in people’s life where they’re asking some of life’s big questions. Like, ‘What do I believe?’ and ‘What do I do with my life?’ I love that we can be a place where people come on Tuesday nights, worship God and ask those big questions.”
Shelby chats with Tithely COO Frank Barry, about the strategies behind making Breakaway successful, which includes building great relationships with the university. From the beginning of Breakaway, they had fostered those relationships–even before their services were hosted on campus. Now, they can host their services every Tuesday night in one of the largest facilities on campus.
We also asked Shelby how they got the word out about Breakaway. She let us know that their legacy does much leg work. Students know about Breakaway because it’s been around for so long. They operate a social media presence, but aside from that, most of their attendees decide to come based on face-to-face interactions around campus and word-of-mouth invites.
“We have a street team that’s on campus during the day on Tuesdays as students are walking to their classes… they welcome people and invite people to come to Breakaway later that night.”
Shelby’s advice to someone who wants to start a campus ministry or bible study?
Make sure you have two people: one with the vision and direction and one who can implement that vision.
“And then from there, just try stuff!”
For more information on Breakaway Ministries, visit breakawayministries.org
Follow Breakaway Ministries on Instagram @breakawaymin
Watch a Breakaway gathering on their YouTube
Listen on your favorite podcast app:
By the end of this episode, you will learn:
✅ How Breakaway Ministries got its start
✅ What works for them to get students in the door
✅ Advice on starting your own college ministry
Resources Mentioned:
Listen to episodes of Modern Church Leader: Modern Church Leader
Follow Tithe.ly on Instagram: tithe.ly
Follow Tithe.ly on Twitter: tithe.ly
Like Tithe.ly on Facebook: @tithelyapp
Other Episodes You May be Interested In:
Starting a Successful College Ministry w/ Mac Bridges and Kenz Durham of Delight Ministries
How to Increase Engagement and Build Community in Your Church w/ Pastor Peter Haas
How to Get Support for Your Ministry Startup w/ Stephen Mulder
Here’s a glance at this episode…
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - What is Breakaway Ministries?
3:30 - The beginning of Breakaway Ministries
4:50 - How the relationship works between the ministry and the university
7:16 - What a Tuesday Night looks like at Breakaway Ministry
9:50 - What brings people to the bible study
12:30 - The changes Breakaway has seen since Covid
15:20 - How does Breakaway Ministries spread the word around campus?
17:50 - How Breakaway Ministries is further involved on campus
19:52 - What advice would you give to someone who is just starting a college ministry?
22:45 - Where to find Breakaway Ministries
23:04 - Rapid Fire Questions with Shelby Holloway
podcast transcript
Breakaway Ministries is an ever-growing, 2,000+ attended weekly bible study on the campus of Texas A&M. From starting as a bible study of twelve in a college apartment in 1989 to now hosting speakers like Sadie Robinson, David Platt, Louie Giglio, and Jen Wilkin, Breakaway Ministries has seen amazing growth in their three decades of ministry.
What does it take to build and sustain a successful on-campus college ministry for 30+ years?
Obviously, growth did not happen overnight for Breakaway Ministries. But with intention and prayer, they built a long-lasting ministry that has impacted thousands. Before their numbers grew to the point of needing Reed Arena as their main meeting place, they outgrew conference centers, school libraries, theaters, and other churches in the community.
Currently, Breakaway has six staff members: a Chief of Staff, a Volunteer and Production Lead, a Creative Lead, an Operations Lead, a Strategic Partnerships Lead, and an Office Manager. Aside from these staff members, Breakaway Ministries is ultimately overseen by a Board of Directors that helps counsel and direct the major decisions of the ministry. Breakaway also has approximately 300 volunteers that help each week.
Breakaway’s current Chief of Staff, Shelby Holloway, joined us in an interview on Modern Church Leader.
“College is such a formative time in people’s life where they’re asking some of life’s big questions. Like, ‘What do I believe?’ and ‘What do I do with my life?’ I love that we can be a place where people come on Tuesday nights, worship God and ask those big questions.”
Shelby chats with Tithely COO Frank Barry, about the strategies behind making Breakaway successful, which includes building great relationships with the university. From the beginning of Breakaway, they had fostered those relationships–even before their services were hosted on campus. Now, they can host their services every Tuesday night in one of the largest facilities on campus.
We also asked Shelby how they got the word out about Breakaway. She let us know that their legacy does much leg work. Students know about Breakaway because it’s been around for so long. They operate a social media presence, but aside from that, most of their attendees decide to come based on face-to-face interactions around campus and word-of-mouth invites.
“We have a street team that’s on campus during the day on Tuesdays as students are walking to their classes… they welcome people and invite people to come to Breakaway later that night.”
Shelby’s advice to someone who wants to start a campus ministry or bible study?
Make sure you have two people: one with the vision and direction and one who can implement that vision.
“And then from there, just try stuff!”
For more information on Breakaway Ministries, visit breakawayministries.org
Follow Breakaway Ministries on Instagram @breakawaymin
Watch a Breakaway gathering on their YouTube
Listen on your favorite podcast app:
By the end of this episode, you will learn:
✅ How Breakaway Ministries got its start
✅ What works for them to get students in the door
✅ Advice on starting your own college ministry
Resources Mentioned:
Listen to episodes of Modern Church Leader: Modern Church Leader
Follow Tithe.ly on Instagram: tithe.ly
Follow Tithe.ly on Twitter: tithe.ly
Like Tithe.ly on Facebook: @tithelyapp
Other Episodes You May be Interested In:
Starting a Successful College Ministry w/ Mac Bridges and Kenz Durham of Delight Ministries
How to Increase Engagement and Build Community in Your Church w/ Pastor Peter Haas
How to Get Support for Your Ministry Startup w/ Stephen Mulder
Here’s a glance at this episode…
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - What is Breakaway Ministries?
3:30 - The beginning of Breakaway Ministries
4:50 - How the relationship works between the ministry and the university
7:16 - What a Tuesday Night looks like at Breakaway Ministry
9:50 - What brings people to the bible study
12:30 - The changes Breakaway has seen since Covid
15:20 - How does Breakaway Ministries spread the word around campus?
17:50 - How Breakaway Ministries is further involved on campus
19:52 - What advice would you give to someone who is just starting a college ministry?
22:45 - Where to find Breakaway Ministries
23:04 - Rapid Fire Questions with Shelby Holloway
VIDEO transcript
Breakaway Ministries is an ever-growing, 2,000+ attended weekly bible study on the campus of Texas A&M. From starting as a bible study of twelve in a college apartment in 1989 to now hosting speakers like Sadie Robinson, David Platt, Louie Giglio, and Jen Wilkin, Breakaway Ministries has seen amazing growth in their three decades of ministry.
What does it take to build and sustain a successful on-campus college ministry for 30+ years?
Obviously, growth did not happen overnight for Breakaway Ministries. But with intention and prayer, they built a long-lasting ministry that has impacted thousands. Before their numbers grew to the point of needing Reed Arena as their main meeting place, they outgrew conference centers, school libraries, theaters, and other churches in the community.
Currently, Breakaway has six staff members: a Chief of Staff, a Volunteer and Production Lead, a Creative Lead, an Operations Lead, a Strategic Partnerships Lead, and an Office Manager. Aside from these staff members, Breakaway Ministries is ultimately overseen by a Board of Directors that helps counsel and direct the major decisions of the ministry. Breakaway also has approximately 300 volunteers that help each week.
Breakaway’s current Chief of Staff, Shelby Holloway, joined us in an interview on Modern Church Leader.
“College is such a formative time in people’s life where they’re asking some of life’s big questions. Like, ‘What do I believe?’ and ‘What do I do with my life?’ I love that we can be a place where people come on Tuesday nights, worship God and ask those big questions.”
Shelby chats with Tithely COO Frank Barry, about the strategies behind making Breakaway successful, which includes building great relationships with the university. From the beginning of Breakaway, they had fostered those relationships–even before their services were hosted on campus. Now, they can host their services every Tuesday night in one of the largest facilities on campus.
We also asked Shelby how they got the word out about Breakaway. She let us know that their legacy does much leg work. Students know about Breakaway because it’s been around for so long. They operate a social media presence, but aside from that, most of their attendees decide to come based on face-to-face interactions around campus and word-of-mouth invites.
“We have a street team that’s on campus during the day on Tuesdays as students are walking to their classes… they welcome people and invite people to come to Breakaway later that night.”
Shelby’s advice to someone who wants to start a campus ministry or bible study?
Make sure you have two people: one with the vision and direction and one who can implement that vision.
“And then from there, just try stuff!”
For more information on Breakaway Ministries, visit breakawayministries.org
Follow Breakaway Ministries on Instagram @breakawaymin
Watch a Breakaway gathering on their YouTube
Listen on your favorite podcast app:
By the end of this episode, you will learn:
✅ How Breakaway Ministries got its start
✅ What works for them to get students in the door
✅ Advice on starting your own college ministry
Resources Mentioned:
Listen to episodes of Modern Church Leader: Modern Church Leader
Follow Tithe.ly on Instagram: tithe.ly
Follow Tithe.ly on Twitter: tithe.ly
Like Tithe.ly on Facebook: @tithelyapp
Other Episodes You May be Interested In:
Starting a Successful College Ministry w/ Mac Bridges and Kenz Durham of Delight Ministries
How to Increase Engagement and Build Community in Your Church w/ Pastor Peter Haas
How to Get Support for Your Ministry Startup w/ Stephen Mulder
Here’s a glance at this episode…
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - What is Breakaway Ministries?
3:30 - The beginning of Breakaway Ministries
4:50 - How the relationship works between the ministry and the university
7:16 - What a Tuesday Night looks like at Breakaway Ministry
9:50 - What brings people to the bible study
12:30 - The changes Breakaway has seen since Covid
15:20 - How does Breakaway Ministries spread the word around campus?
17:50 - How Breakaway Ministries is further involved on campus
19:52 - What advice would you give to someone who is just starting a college ministry?
22:45 - Where to find Breakaway Ministries
23:04 - Rapid Fire Questions with Shelby Holloway
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