In this episode of the Learning Laborers podcast, Denver and Taylor explore the intersection of biblical scholarship and ministry with Matt Trexler, a campus minister at UCLA working with the Reformed University Fellowship (RUF). Matt shares his journey into college ministry, offering insights into his research on the Sermon on the Mount and its impact on college students. They also discuss the cultural moment of Gen Z, their search for purpose and mentorship, and how churches can effectively engage with this generation. With a mix of humor and depth, Matt highlights the importance of creating authentic spaces for students to explore faith and scripture.

Resources mentioned by Matt in this episode:

• The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing (Pennington)
• Sermon on the Mount (Levine)
• The Christ Book (Bruner)
• The Anxious Generation (Haidt)
• Meeting Gen Z (White)
• Generations (Twenge)
• Seculosity (Zahl) 00:00 Introduction: Aliens and Ministry 01:32 Welcome to Learning Laborers Podcast 02:05 Meet Matt Trexler: Campus Minister 05:43 Matt's Journey to Ministry 09:10 Understanding College Ministry 11:55 Engaging with Gen Z 18:27 The Power of the Beatitudes 24:11 Resources for Obedience: Matthew 6 30:04 Discipleship in a Transient Student Body 33:21 Jesus as Savior and Life Guide 34:48 Addressing Difficult Questions 38:43 The Challenge of Forgiveness 43:10 Engaging with Gen Z in the Church 49:45 The Role of Academic Studies in Ministry 01:01:50 Resource Recommendations for Ministry 01:05:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts