“This is what we’ve been looking for…”
These were the words two International students expressed to InterVarsity staff David when they came to the Bible study last week at Onondaga Community College. They saw one of 50 posters David and two students hung around campus advertising it. David started this with first year student Michael who was in his church youth group the previous year asking if he could start a Bible study at OCC. Michael invited his friends and they began meeting weekly. The OCC administration recently asked them how they can help get the word out and encouraged them to advertise (unusual). And that’s how these two students, after looking for three semesters, found them. Praise God!
At Clarkson U/SUNY Potsdam, Staff member Glen (celebrating his 40th year with IV!) and his students noticed there were 80 students from India who came to study this semester. Glen and the student leaders decided to show them hospitality and the love of Christ by inviting them to a Christmas event this past Saturday night. IV’s Club Advisor and Chemistry professor shared the meaning of Christmas followed by gingerbread house decorating, singing Christmas carols, and desserts. I was privileged to attend and got to interact with some of the 25 students and IV leaders present. The students enjoyed the evening and were invited to continue conversations and/or join a Bible study. Pray those who came will want to join and continue the conversations they started.
This fall semester, we reached out to over 6000 students in Upstate New York. We have 375 students in our witnessing communities in 50 small groups. And most exciting of all, we saw 15 students make decisions to follow Jesus!
Thank you for supporting the work in Upstate New York! Your prayers and financial gifts make this work possible.
Cathy Craig