Building Community and Cross-Cultural Connections in College Ministry (w/ Alfonso Mack)
From college football dreams to full-time ministry, Alphonso Mack's journey is one of radical transformation, deep faith, and a relentless commitment to the gospel. Now serving as the Diversity Director for the Collegiate Church Network and as a pastoral resident at Rooted Church in Royal Oak, Michigan, Alphonso's story highlights the power of community, cross-cultural engagement, and God's faithfulness in every season.
In this episode of the Collegiate Church Network Podcast, host Jay Bennet sits down with Alphonso to explore his path to ministry, the importance of diversity in the church, and his current work building a grassroots college ministry at Wayne State University. Whether you're a ministry leader, a college student, or someone looking to see God’s heart for all people, this episode is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and practical resources.
Finding Faith on the Field
Before stepping into ministry, Alphonso walked onto the football team at Bowling Green State University with dreams of playing in the NFL. But it was a teammate’s invitation to church that changed the course of his life. “I saw college students who were serious about Jesus, living out their faith authentically,” Alphonso recalls. “It was something I didn’t have, but I wanted.”
This pivotal moment led Alphonso to surrender his life to Christ, and by his junior year, he began sensing God’s call to ministry. Wrestling between the NFL and full-time ministry, Alphonso prayed through Proverbs 30:7–9, asking God to provide clarity and provision. God answered, leading him to join the staff at H2O Bowling Green and later transition to Rooted Church to help plant and lead.
Planting Churches, Building Community
Now at Rooted Church, Alphonso is part of a team committed to reaching Royal Oak and the surrounding area with the gospel. “It was hard leaving H2O BG,” Alphonso admits. “But we felt God calling us to step into the unknown, trusting His plan.” Launched in April, Rooted Church is already creating opportunities to engage with students at Wayne State University and other local campuses.
Alphonso shares how building a college ministry is a mix of intentionality and divine appointments. From reconnecting with former students to striking up conversations on campus, he emphasizes the importance of being present and interruptible. “God is always working, and our job is to join Him in what He’s already doing.”
The Call to Diversity
As the Diversity Director for the Collegiate Church Network, Alphonso is passionate about helping churches grow in their understanding and engagement with people of all backgrounds. “God’s design for the gospel is for all nations,” he says. “From Genesis to Revelation, we see His heart for every tribe, tongue, and people.”
Drawing on his own experiences in predominantly black and white church contexts, Alphonso emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural understanding and humility. “We need to step out of our comfort zones, learn from others, and recognize the beauty of God’s kingdom reflected in diversity.”
For those looking to explore this further, Alphonso recommends the following resources:
Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel by Dr. Eric Mason, which addresses how the gospel speaks to issues of race, identity, and justice.
The Relational Soul: Moving from False Self to Deep Connection by Richard Plass and James Cofield, a powerful resource for fostering deeper relationships and understanding.
Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot, a classic book on global missions and sacrificial faith.
The Biblical Diversity Foundations resource from the Collegiate Church Network, which traces God’s heart for all nations from Genesis to Revelation (linked in the show notes).
Practical Wisdom for Ministry
Throughout the episode, Alphonso offers practical advice for those in ministry:
Trust God’s Faithfulness: Whether raising support or stepping into the unknown, Alphonso encourages leaders to lean into God’s promises. “He will provide everything you need.”
Prioritize Presence: From working on campus to engaging in conversations, Alphonso models the power of being available and open to divine interruptions.
Learn and Listen: Cultivate cultural intelligence (CQ) to understand and engage with people from different backgrounds effectively.
Final Encouragement
As Alphonso puts it, “Don’t give up. Jesus is faithful. The work is hard, but it’s worth it because eternity is real, and God is using you to make an eternal impact.”
This episode challenges listeners to embrace the beauty of God’s diverse kingdom, step boldly into cross-cultural spaces, and trust that God’s plans are always greater than our own. For those interested in supporting diversity work, check out the Collegiate Diversity Fund or join Alphonso’s monthly prayer gathering (details in the show notes).
