Episode 040 – Faith on Campus: Discipleship, Discernment, and the Next Generation with Brian Rhude

  • 67 min

Episode 040 – Faith on Campus: Discipleship, Discernment, and the Next Generation with Brian Rhude

The Church Podcast

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In this thoughtful and inspiring episode, Christopher Wesley sits down with Brian Rhude, Campus Minister at the Towson University Newman Center. From culinary school to campus ministry, Brian shares his remarkable journey of conversion, mentorship, and discovering his call to accompany college students in faith.

Together, they explore the unique spiritual landscape of Gen Z—how young adults are searching for balance, meaning, and authentic relationships with Christ in an age of constant noise and pressure. Brian opens up about the joys and challenges of serving on a public university campus, the need for Eucharistic renewal, and why mentorship and prayer must remain at the heart of Catholic leadership.

Key Takeaways

• A Journey of Conversion: From aspiring chef to campus minister, Brian shares how mentors and moments of grace drew him deeper into the faith.
• Mentorship Matters: The mentors who shaped Brian’s life modeled accompaniment—recognizing gifts, encouraging growth, and walking alongside with honesty and love.
• The College Landscape: Gen Z students hunger for meaning but face constant tension between faith, academics, relationships, and “hustle culture.”
• Faith in the Middle of It All: Campus ministry helps students prioritize Christ at the center of their daily lives—not as one more thing, but as the foundation of everything.
• A Call to Eucharistic Revival: Many young Catholics pray, but few stop before the Eucharist. Brian challenges leaders to help students rediscover the real presence of Jesus in prayer.
• Intergenerational Discipleship: The Church grows stronger when older generations invest time and presence—not just money—in walking with young adults.
• Leadership Rooted in Prayer: For young Catholic leaders in the world, everything must flow from a disciplined life of prayer, community, and sacramental encounter.

What Brian Recommends

• Go-To Tool: A well-planned calendar—blocking time for prayer, rest, and meaningful work.
• What He’s Reading: Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux—an invitation to embrace simplicity and sanctity in everyday life.
• Favorite Insight: “Young people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”

Connect with Brian and Towson Catholic
🌐 tucatholic.org
📱 Instagram: @towson_catholic

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Recorded on Riverside - HERE

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