If God only saved you to go to heaven, then the pastor who baptized you should have just kept you under the water!

The gospel is not merely a message of salvation from sin and judgment but a message of salvation to God and community (the church). Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God and to love your neighbor (Matthew 22:34–40). These two are inseparable. To fully love God is to also love his church and to reflect his good character to the watching world. As this message transforms your life, you are called to grow as a disciple and church member.

If you are a college student, you may be involved in a wonderful campus ministry. Stay involved! But you must also continue to grow as a disciple within the context of a local church. You cannot make disciples of all nations if you are not a disciple (Matthew 28:16–20). So, grow through reading, studying, and meditating on the Word. Grow by learning how to share your faith and live in intentional fellowship with others. Further, you cannot plant a church if you don't know what a church looks like. So, join a church and invest in that church.

When Peter correctly identified Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus commended him and told him that he would build his church, and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). The church is commissioned by God to be God's representation to the world. As you grow and progress along this journey, your commitment to the local church should deepen. Find a local church, grow as a disciple, serve faithfully, and be sent far!