We began the year by asking SIU students what crucial relationships they were going to invest in while at college. Everyone had different answers, of course, but we met so many people who were looking for a real community. Many were open to thinking about what role Jesus might play in their time at college.
One of the students we met was Kaycey. She was feeling lonely on campus and looking for a place to belong. Kaycey came to check out InterVarsity and quickly felt at home in our community. She was so excited she started inviting her friends to InterVarsity as a way of sharing her faith! Next semester, she's joining the team that plans our large group meetings. "Ever since coming to SIU and being involved with InterVarsity... my love for God has grown. I have seen how great his love is, not only for me but for people everywhere. I know that he loves me at my worst and at my best. I know that he has loved me even when I fail to show him the same. My love for God has grown so much stronger from seeing how strong his love is for me."
One of the students we met was Kaycey. She was feeling lonely on campus and looking for a place to belong. Kaycey came to check out InterVarsity and quickly felt at home in our community. She was so excited she started inviting her friends to InterVarsity as a way of sharing her faith! Next semester, she's joining the team that plans our large group meetings. "Ever since coming to SIU and being involved with InterVarsity... my love for God has grown. I have seen how great his love is, not only for me but for people everywhere. I know that he loves me at my worst and at my best. I know that he has loved me even when I fail to show him the same. My love for God has grown so much stronger from seeing how strong his love is for me."
Coming into this semester, Olivia was excited to lead a Missional Community but nervous about if she would be any good at it. Despite her insecurities, God really worked through Olivia and she quickly had the largest MC in our ministry. But Olivia was still nervous -- she was worried people wouldn't like her or wouldn't come back. Olivia's insecurities were so intense she that she broke down crying at the end of one meeting, because she was didn't think she was doing a good job.
Through the roller coaster of leadership, Olivia learned that her value and worth rests only in the love and acceptance God has for her. "[I learned] God is someone who is guiding me and giving me many chances to follow him, even though I mess up a lot and go against him. But instead of being angry God is like a graceful father, calling me back to him. And I believe God sees me as his child."
Through the roller coaster of leadership, Olivia learned that her value and worth rests only in the love and acceptance God has for her. "[I learned] God is someone who is guiding me and giving me many chances to follow him, even though I mess up a lot and go against him. But instead of being angry God is like a graceful father, calling me back to him. And I believe God sees me as his child."
The highlight of our year was our 'Grilled Cheese, Text Please!' outreach. We delivered free sandwiches to any student who was willing to text in a question about God or Jesus and have a conversation with us. Kaycey (left) helped us publicize the event and Olivia (story above) was one of our all star deliverers! We had over 55 students text in questions -- some very silly, but some very serious. Our students had great conversations and were really encouraged by seeing how God was already stoking spiritual curiosity all around them.
At the end of the night our group huddled up to share stories and talk about what we learned. We were so encouraged by how our students saw God work even in their fears and uncertainties. One student shared how having these conversations helped her with some of her own doubts! “I didn’t know what I should say," she said, "so I just trusted God and started talking…the words that came out were exactly what I needed to hear!”
At the end of the night our group huddled up to share stories and talk about what we learned. We were so encouraged by how our students saw God work even in their fears and uncertainties. One student shared how having these conversations helped her with some of her own doubts! “I didn’t know what I should say," she said, "so I just trusted God and started talking…the words that came out were exactly what I needed to hear!”
It was a challenge this year to motivate our leaders to meet up with new students and invest in them via discipleship. A lot of our leaders were insecure about themselves and their leadership, and felt anxious about meeting up with people one on one. They wondered what to do and what to say...so we encouraged all our leaders to come to Fall Conference and spend the weekend learning the how, why, who, and what of discipleship.
God really met our students at Fall Conference! 7 of them stood on Saturday night to commit to intentionally being a part of God's mission at SIU. Many of our leaders made commitments to (finally) start discipleships, and have been faithful about starting them over the last month. Our leaders are learning to have confidence that God can use them, wants to use the, and that God will transform them as they take risks in their leadership. Please pray for these discipleships to bear fruit!
God really met our students at Fall Conference! 7 of them stood on Saturday night to commit to intentionally being a part of God's mission at SIU. Many of our leaders made commitments to (finally) start discipleships, and have been faithful about starting them over the last month. Our leaders are learning to have confidence that God can use them, wants to use the, and that God will transform them as they take risks in their leadership. Please pray for these discipleships to bear fruit!
Alumni Update
God is at work at SIU, transforming lives and creating a vibrant witnessing community. These are just a few of the many stories! Thank you for continuing to be a part of the ministry by praying and partnering financially.
We need your new and continued partnership! Would you prayerfully consider making a special year-end gift or beginning monthly support of the ministry at SIU? You can use the buttons below to donate.
We need your new and continued partnership! Would you prayerfully consider making a special year-end gift or beginning monthly support of the ministry at SIU? You can use the buttons below to donate.