All year long we’ve been praying for underclassmen to step up and lead in Greek Ministry at DePauw. We are graduating a senior class that simply ‘gets’ Greek Ministry. Many of them participate in the Interfraternal Bible study, which seeks to reach any Greek men on campus who are looking to connect with God in a deeper way. One of the seniors just updated me on what has been happening the past weeks. Here is his story:

“In the past two or three weeks, we have had about 4 or 5 totally new guys (underclassman) showing up and they are really excited about the Bible Study. They have been saying that it is exactly what they had been looking for. And, this week we had 16 guys attend (which is the most we have ever had) But the best part about it is that for the first time all year, there have been more underclassmen than seniors attending for the past two weeks. This sudden rise in interest from the underclassmen really has made me excited about what the Bible Study and Greek IV will be able to accomplish next year.”

Christine started a house ministry in Alpha Phi the next year, and shortly after became our largest sorority ministry. Her leadership led to the fast growth, and by the end of the year, Alpha Phi had become a strong sorority ministry.

The next summer, Christine and I would not be in much air conditioning as I would spend a summer with her in Cairo serving among the poor. A moment that is frozen in time in my head was when we served an elderly widow who had been rejected by her family, lost everything to robbers, and had no one but God to provide for her. As Christine and I were both moved by her faith in Jesus, as she would be so thankful to have her needs met every day, We walked out together and tears were in our eyes and we realized that we had deeply experienced the presence of God.

Christine would continue to see God’s power realized around her as she faithfully prayed and witnessed to one of her closest sisters in the sorority who was clearly far from God. At Greek Conference, she and I and two other student leaders prayed together for this woman who was clearly wrestling with God. As we prayed, the tears flowed from our eyes as the Holy Spirit was revealing to us the depth of her pain and we prayed that God would deliver her.

Christine’s sorority sister became a Christian that day, a true miracle as we saw God’s saving power on display for us to see firsthand.

It was natural that Christine would become president of Greek IV her senior year – the selection team was unanimous in that decision. As we worked together, the potential that so many had seen became realized in full. My favorite moments as a staff are when I see students leading and I can step into the background and celebrate them becoming the disciples and leaders Jesus calls them to be. Christine was leading and discipling women, as well as bringing a new emphasis on prayer to the Greek ministry at NU. Her presence will not be easily forgotten.

Christine and I were sitting reflecting on our friendship over the years, and she said to me, “Andy, you believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself.” As tears welled in my eyes as I reflected on her words, I paused and how much greater God is to have believed in us when were weren’t worth believing in because of the sin that kept us from him and continues to destroy our world.

The privilege of ministry to students is walking alongside them as they become what they never dreamed they could be, believing in them as God believes that broken people can be healed to change the world. Would you pray for more students to believe and walk in obedience the path of following Jesus?

     This year, I organized the senior banquet for all five InterVarsity chapters and we make it a really big deal. We typically hold it during finals week and get a good turnout.  The Catholic center on campus has a great basement room that they’ve lent to us for free.  Our area team budget sponsors a catered meal from a local Thai restaurant and then I’ve asked alumni and donors to donate desserts and drinks.  I send out an Evite, with staff reinforcements, inviting the seniors and telling them it’s a semi-formal affair.  I ask them to bring their checkbook if they’d be willing to write a check for $2 to IV.  We decorate the room with tablecloths, candles, and table decorations.

     After some time for them to eat and enjoy each other, we have a program.  We invite a bunch of alumni back, which is fun for them to see their friends.  The alumni sit with the seniors, and they are part of the program. They also help with setup and clean up.  Usually, I have one alumni couple share some tips for life after college, with some of its realities and challenges.  Then we have about five alumni on a panel discussion to answer relevant questions.  Finally, a staff or donor asks for partnership on three levels – prayer, service and financial.  Then we have them write checks and fill out the graduating senior forms.  I also give out all the free stuff from IV and a senior dinner packet full of info, plus a book like Following Jesus in the Real World.  One other unrealized goal is to have a google doc running where they can all enter in their names, contact info and area of the country they’re moving to, so they can connect with each other in the future (if they attend different chapters, they might not know each other).  Then they hang out and take lots of photos together. It’s been really fun and we’ve gotten about 30-40 seniors total each year.  It’s a big investment of staff time and money, but I think it’s worth it.