Sydney Lohr, Staff Writer

Today, Zac Hudson leads college students at Definition Church, a non-denominational church in Greensboro, with purpose and humility, but his path to ministry began in an unexpected way. Growing up, Zac faced deep disappointment with the church. “I have grown up in church my entire life, but was severely hurt by the church when I was about 10, 11 years old. For a long time, I just didn’t want anything to do with church,” he recalls. However, a radical encounter with Jesus at 17 changed everything. “I really felt like the Lord spoke to me in that moment and told me, ‘I want you to go do ministry.’” That moment set him on a path toward college ministry, a calling he has embraced with passion. 

A Calling to College Ministry 

“I feel like it’s the most crucial age group… you’ll never find someone more passionate than a college student about the things they are passionate about… if a college student can catch fire for Jesus, it is just transformational in all aspects,” Zac explains. “They’re fun… very open and willing to learn. So, I just love that about them.” His love for students shapes every aspect of his work as Definition Church’s college director.  

Making the move from Dallas to Greensboro was, he says, “the biggest step of faith in my entire life. I left an amazing friend group in Dallas… great church, great environment.” Although leaving comfort and familiarity was difficult, Zac knew he was following the right path. “I couldn’t help not walking through the door… it was so obvious, like, this is where the Lord wanted me to go, and where he wanted me to do ministry,” he says. “Obviously, there’s been a lot of hard things… building a ministry, trying to find a friend group… but because I knew God’s hand was in it, I trusted Him in every decision.” 

A Leap of Faith 

Adjusting to Greensboro has required both patience and adaptability. “Dallas is very, very church culture… the church I came from was 25,000 people… coming to a city like Greensboro, I’ve had to adjust even down to how I communicate the Bible, disciple people, and care about people,” Zac explains. But the city’s diversity has been a welcome change. “The diversity in Greensboro… has really become such a beautiful thing that I love about the city… it’s awakened my eyes into what I’ve been missing in my life.” 

Zac’s vision for revival is founded in long-term discipleship. “The true win and the true revival is when we have Christians not just in the now, but 20 years from now… revival will come when college students become disciples of Jesus.” He emphasizes the importance of listening and fostering an authentic community to encourage revival. “Revival’s gonna come through listening… through authentic community… putting people in places where they can experience community.” He hopes The Collective, Definition Church’s college ministry, will guide students toward long-term spiritual growth. “I want the Collective to be a place where people can learn to be a long-term disciple as opposed to a short-term Christian.” 

For students seeking to get involved, Zac encourages students to strive for community-building relationships rather than mere attendance. “I want people… to come give us a chance and see the people that have had their lives radically changed at the Collective… more than hear a good message or listen to worship,” he says. “If you’re willing… you can find hope and healing and all those things.” 

A Vision for Revival 

When it comes to his teaching, Zac focuses on a deeper relationship with Jesus instead of self-improvement. “I want every person to walk away from my messages… ‘How can I fall deeper in love with Jesus?’… not just ‘How can I do better?’” In each message Zac preaches, he strives to keep the content grounded in faith. “I always try to take it back to the cross in every single message I preach… if we get the cross right, then everything else will work out in the process.” 

` Despite moving to a more progressive city, Zac has been pleasantly surprised by students’ receptiveness. “The hunger from the students in the midst of a progressive city is really surprising… people just want to have a conversation.” The openness of Greensboro’s community is what fuels his passion for growth. “My vision… is to pray and seek the Lord in every single thing I do… community, discipleship, worship, teaching, authenticity… any worldly strategy I have will fall flat if Jesus isn’t in the midst of it… My vision for the future is to just continue to hold fast to the things that make the Collective who we are.” 

Advice and Opportunities for Students 

Zac’s advice for young leaders emphasizes patience and understanding. “Talk a lot less, and listen a lot more… To truly understand the person sitting across from me… I have to see them as made in the image of God, and then listen to who they are.” He also encourages humility and a willingness to learn from experienced mentors. “Learn to stand on the shoulders of giants… trust people who have been following Jesus longer than you.” And finally, he emphasizes that faith is a lifelong journey. “Christianity is a long obedience in the same direction… God is continually working and forming us into who He wants us to be.” 

Through his work at Definition Church, Zac Hudson is cultivating a space for college-age students to grow spiritually, foster relationships through community, and experience transformation. For students interested in attending, The Collective meets each Monday at Definition Church in Greensboro. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the service begins at 7:30 p.m., with a van picking up students in front of the EUC building at 6:45 p.m.  Each gathering includes worship, a message, and small group discussions, giving students an opportunity to build faith-based relationships and strengthen their relationship with Christ.