Page 12 of 28

Joining the Greater Movement

October 4, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Four years ago, few of the InterVarsity students at Webster University wanted to attend the Missouri Fall Conference. The ones that ended up going didn’t enjoy it much so the following years it was difficult for InterVarsity staff member, Domenic Mendoza, to convince others to give Fall Conference a try. Last year, though, two brave freshman were willing to go and felt they met God there.

This past weekend, Webster brought twelve students to the conference. When the speaker asked students to stand up to recommit or make an”all in” decision to follow Jesus, two men from the Webster group rose. These two students and three other friends who attended this weekend are on the basketball team and were challenged to reach out to others in their community together. Not only were individual students’ lives impacted, Domenic is excited that for the first time the Webster chapter feels like a part of the greater InterVarsity community.

Photo Credit: misterlevel Flickr via Compfight cc

Pray for many to say yes!

September 27, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

What are some of the experiences that led to you following Jesus? For hundreds of college students conferences are where the words of Jesus come alive to them.

Right now staff across the Central Region are inviting students and preparing sessions to conferences in Iowa and Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Please join me in praying that many students would say yes to the invitation to come and also to the invitation to follow Jesus at these events.

La Fe con Cafe

September 19, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

“Last January, I sensed God telling me that my fellow Latino students would need a safe space on campus” says, Johnson County Community College student, Rachel. In response, Rachel courageously launched a Bible study for Latino students that she dubbed LaFe (Latino Fellowship, also “The Faith”) con Cafe (with coffee).

As you are probably aware, a Presidential order ending DACA has brought fear and uncertainty to 800,000 young adults in our country. Some of them are in our colleges and universities.

At the first LaFe con Cafe meeting, students shared vulnerably with one another about their fears and worries. At the same time, they were eager to seek out Jesus and to consider what he has to say to their lives right now. There may be few places on campus that these students can really let down their guard and find encouragement and support. Now Rachel reflects “as many of them are uncertain about their future, I can see why God has called me to start this group!”

It’s Here!

August 30, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

It’s the end of August which means a ton of activity for InterVarsity chapters throughout our region. So far, groups have had leaders retreats, gone floating, hosted parties, made dinners, gone on prayer walks, participated in school activity fairs and eaten more pizza than you can imagine.

Haskell Indian Nations University held it’s first ever large group, and several students took steps of faith. Two hundred and eighty-seven international students were lovingly welcomed to the US at Washington University’s furniture giveaway. Countless student leaders are volunteering many hours during their first weeks of school to begin building relationships with new students on their campuses.

Please continue praying with us for these New Student Outreach efforts. You can especially ask for strength for staff and students putting in long hours and for openness among the new students they meet.

Photo Credit: Magh Flickr via Compfight cc

Cultivating Generosity

August 28, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Listening to Tim Keller’s sermon on “Generosity in Scarcity” provided a good challenge this week to deepen my view of giving.

I pray that this message blesses you as you follow God’s invitation to give sacrificially and joyfully.

Is InterVarsity at a campus near you?

August 21, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Are you sending a daughter or son to college this fall or going yourself?

Or are you interested in volunteering with an InterVarsity chapter near you?

Click the the photo below to find a chapter and let me know.

Serving Rain or Shine

August 15, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Despite some wet weather, IV staff Kristen Carr had a great time welcoming new international students to the University of Kansas over the past two weeks. Their group was able to host campus tours and a furniture giveaway which gave them a chance to meet and care for these new students.

As international and American students flock to campuses in the next few weeks, join us in praying for good connections and friendships to be built at colleges and universities throughout the region. This Saturday is St Louis’ massive international furniture giveaway and many more exciting events are planned this month to meet some of the thousands of new students in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri.

Photo Credit: Catholic Church (England and Wales) Flickr via Compfight cc

Pray for University of Virginia

August 14, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

On Friday white supremacists marched on the campus of University of Virginia. As a friend put it “Racial sin doesn’t need to be unmasked. It no longer has any shame. Just fear and hate. Praying for them and against them. Lord have mercy.”

Please pray for faculty, students, and staff as they continue preparations to welcome new students at UVA. Here is an open letter from Black alumni of UVA. It speaks to the experience of many students of color with experiences of racism on campus.

Our staff community is speaking out against the seeds of hate spread this past week.

Pray for our staff to demonstrate and speak about the Kingdom of God on our campuses and the Shalom that God and his kingdom offers.

2016-2017 National Impact

August 8, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Praise God with us for how He is working across the United States through InterVarsity/USA. Partner with us to see people from every corner of every campus have the opportunity to say yes to Jesus!

A Warm Welcome

July 17, 2017 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Some students come to the U.S. to study with nothing more than a suitcase. For eleven years, InterVarsity at Washington University in St Louis has partnered with other ministries to host a furniture giveaway on campus. This event has grown through the years and now welcomes over 300 students each fall.

Donated furniture is raffled off to new international students and all receive a free house ware item and lunch. Most importantly, relationships are built between Christians and the new students as they experience a glimpse of God’s hospitable heart during their first few weeks in America.

This year, the Furniture Giveaway will be held on Saturday, August 19th. If you live in the St Louis area and would like to be a part of this event, you can sign up to volunteer or bring a lunch dish. Even if you can’t make the day of the Giveaway, you can still participate by donating furniture or money to help cover food and other expenses.