that only God could do that. Coming to Greek Impact was at first a weird experience for me. I didn’t understand how Greeks and God could coexist because everything I had witnessed within the Greek system basically disregarded any moral conviction in favor of impulse. What I found in Greek Impact was basically a reconciliation of who I was in Christ and who I could become in my sorority. I felt called to be a light in the darkness and the fellowship and renewal I felt whenever I went there every week really reminded me of my purpose in Christ.

About the same time I started going to Greek Impact, I began to meet with Kelly on a regular basis. This was a very hard time in my life because my parents were divorcing, but she was always there to listen to me and encourage me and to also help me look at things from a different perspective. There were times when I’d just break down in the middle of one of our meetings because things were so hard and I knew I needed God. I also began to help lead a sorority for my Bible study for junior and senior years. Senior year I went to Greek Conference, and I really began to see my role in the sorority as someone who invests in the spiritual lives of others. I have such a heart for my sisters and for college students in general. Greek Impact has not only refocused my eyes on Christ, but provided me with a fellowship of people who have transformed my life. I know God specifically brought these people into my life and it’s amazing what a force we’ve become on campus. Graduating from William and Mary this year, I feel like I’ve grown so much in my relationship with Christ and am confident of my ability to be a light in the darkness.

At first, I was worried that everyone would be more mature in their faith and not as lost as I was, but as I began to talk with all the other Greeks throughout the week, I realized that most of them were struggling with the same issues as me. Some of these issues included incorporating faith into our busy lives, trying to find a balance between Greek life and religion, and just our basic beliefs in God. The biggest thing that impacted me was being able to spend time in a totally Christian atmosphere. It was a pleasant break from my community at school because during the conference I was able to talk more openly with people about my faith, and it was encouraging to hear that other Greeks were facing the same challenges on their campuses. I really enjoyed the time everyone got to worship together as well. It was a great way to connect to all of the people in the room, and really share a moment with God.

After coming back from the conference, I decided to really try and incorporate God into my life. Since Greek Conference, I have been going to my sorority’s bible study every Wednesday so that each week I am dedicated to thinking and talking about my faith. During the conference, I was also able to hang out with members of other sororities from W&M. I still hang out with many of these girls, and it is nice to know that I can share my faith with them. Above all, I have come to realize that a relationship with God takes a long time to develop, but now I am dedicated to doing just that.

Without really knowing what I was getting into, I spontaneously decided to sign up for [Greek Conference]. My parents were quite surprised when I called them later that night to say, “Just to let you know, I’m going to North Carolina tomorrow!” But looking back on it, I think that God was leading me to make that spontaneous decision, because I’m so glad I did.
Greek Conference was inspiring, encouraging, and really helped me renew my faith. I met so many great people at the conference and became closer to the people from my own school, including a sister that I hadn’t known very well before the conference. My focus group, “Thrive” was so insightful. We talked about how to incorporate God into your life at school and how to reconcile being involved in Greek life and being a Christian. We talked about issues that you don’t discuss in Sunday school such as alcohol, sex, and dating. The conversations we had were so real, and I felt relieved that other people my age had similar experiences and thoughts as mine. One of the passages we read that weekend that really spoke to me was Ephesians 4:1, 17-24. It says, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received…You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of you minds; and to put on a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” These words were so applicable to my life and they gave me hope and motivation to make a change in the new semester.
Another way that Greek Conference was such a great experience was the sense of community. Coming from a small town in Maine, I was the only one in my grade in Sunday school. I never participated in youth group and my friends and I did not discuss our faith. It was refreshing and exciting to be around people my age who wanted to be close to God. And I was surprised that there were people like this at my school and even in my own sorority! The time we spent in group worship was so inspiring, and the sense of community helped me feel really close to God. The last night we were worshiping was amazing when the band played their last song but everyone wanted to stay longer. I felt Christ’s love that night in such a different and moving way because I was surrounded by new people I could relate to. At that moment I was so happy I had decided to take a chance and go on the trip.
When I got back from conference, I felt refreshed and exhilarated. I have continued going to Greek Impact and have gone to some bible studies which I hadn’t gone to first semester. I feel more focused this semester. Last semester, I was starting to go down the wrong path but I am listening to God more this semester instead of tuning Him out. I am trying to show Christ’s love to my friends and sisters on campus. Greek Conference helped me get back on the path to live a life worthy of the calling I have received.

For me, Saturday night was an awakening at Greek Conference. As cliche as it sounds, it was a slap in the face. As I sat listening to him talk about setting down our fears, and our pasts, and letting our arms be open to receive the love of Christ I realized my life was a lie. A complete sham to everyone I knew and loved. I was crying from the moment he said how scared the woman was, yet Jesus still choose to love her and speak to her even knowing every sin she ever committed. [John 4] This hit home for me. I was that woman at the well wearing her scarlet letter. I wanted to set my jug down and be free to hug the Lord. As the tears came faster down my face and the emotions swelled up I felt everything from fear of letting down those I had lied to, to anger for the devil entrapping me in the lovely spun webn of deceit and false pretenses. Then the greatest moment happened! I realized it did not matter what those around me would say or think, and for me this was huge. I was that girl and still struggle with my identity and being content in who I am and how I look, always wondering how I was being judged, then the music started to play. And for the first time I stood, not caring if anyone else was standing, I lifted my hands not caring if people watched me. I was on fire feeling so much confusion and clarity all in one instant that I just had to pray. I sought the answers to the questions running throught the jumbled mess of my mind and heart. One thing was clear, I did NOT know the Lord, and I actively desired to. I took all this raw emotion to my staffer as we stood in the corner, me crying her smiling and then we PRAYED! IT was an in your face real honest conversation with the Lord that moved me to even more tears, this time of the happy type. The next morning during the “what did you learn” portion of large group. I sat crossed legged, cross armed in my chair refusing to “put on a show” and tell everyone my news. I had only told my staffer and one other friend(not even from my school) and there was no way I was getting on that stage. I was not gonna fall prey to the act that it was before. I did not want this to be a public affair. So shaking and heart pounding I sat there as student after student got up and spoke, and the Lord was yelling at me. Yes, yelling to get my butt up on that stage and to take a leap of faith in this area of my life. A big task for someone who hates to be watched and is completely self concious. I made it to the stage. I had to choke back the tears, one point stopping just to take a breath so that I could even function to get the words out that “I WAS SAVED”! The Lord picked me, scarlet letter and all, and I would never have to hide in the corners of deception that the devil had trapped me in again.  At that moment applause broke out and comfort rushed over me that 1. I was not alone as I had often struggled with. 2. I would never be alone again!