Cliff and Stuart Knechtl’s College Ministry

Cliff Knechtl has been active in college ministry since the 1980s through the Answer Me initiative. His son, Stuart, became involved in 2015, and together, they lead outdoor sessions at various campuses, where they answer student inquiries with the goal of spreading the gospel.

Over the nearly five decades of their ministry, Cliff has witnessed significant changes among college students, many of which he finds troubling.

In a recent episode of “Relatable,” Cliff and Stuart discussed three major shifts they’ve noticed, which they regard as concerning.

One of the most striking changes is students’ emotional sensitivity, a factor Cliff didn’t have to navigate when he started his work. Now, he must adjust his approach everywhere he goes.

Cliff shares an anecdote about his father’s experience in Switzerland during World War II, sitting in the Alps and witnessing Nazi troops advancing. He contrasts that with the current climate, noting that students today might seek counseling after a presidential election, indicating a shift in resilience.

He expresses gratitude for Stuart and his wife Sharon, saying they’ve helped him refine his communication style to be less blunt than he sometimes is.

The second shift he identified is an increasing belief in moral relativism. Cliff remarked that this notion—that right and wrong are subjective—has become so prevalent that anyone opposing it is seen as outlandishly eccentric.

Thirdly, Cliff pointed out the perception that science is the ultimate form of truth. He finds it troubling that the prevailing attitude is that something must be scientifically proven to be considered valid.

It intrigues him how one segment of society is committed to relativism while another insists that truth is only factual when backed by scientific evidence.

This is particularly challenging because the Gospels mostly contradict moral relativism, and while the gospel of Jesus is based on evidence, it doesn’t rest solely on scientific proof.

Among the three changes, Stuart feels the rise of moral relativism is the most alarming. He recounted an encounter at a university where students confronted him about euthanasia, questioning his stance on preserving the life of a 16-year-old girl contemplating suicide.

Stuart was taken aback by their conviction, as they argued that respecting autonomy meant supporting the girl’s choice to end her life, a viewpoint starkly different from valuing human life.

He reflected on the overwhelming notion that individual freedom and autonomy are now prioritized even over the sanctity of life.

To learn more about the Knechtl family’s ministry, check out the full episode.