Greek Ministry

From L.A. to LA: Reviving Campus Ministry Along the Gulf Coast

gordon.govier@intervarsity.org — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 16:37:23 +0000

Gordon Govier

From L.A. to LA: Reviving Campus Ministry Along the Gulf Coast

Starting new things with God in difficult places is “our heartbeat,” says Area Director Beau Crosetto. Six years ago, Beau and his wife, Kristina, moved from San Diego to Los Angeles to focus on Greek students who were not being reached with the gospel. In 2018 Beau and Kristina are trying something even more ambitious: moving halfway across the country to replant ��ñ�� in Louisiana.

Louisiana has 39 campuses and nearly 300,000 college students, but it’s the only state with no ��ñ�� undergraduate ministry and no ��ñ�� staff. Six of the 10 campuses in the Baton Rouge/New Orleans area are majority Black, and two of them have the biggest Greek systems in the state. “What does it look like to start a movement that reaches high identity Black students and high identity Greek students?” Beau queries. “This is where we’re going to start!”

God was already at work opening doors for ��ñ�� in Louisiana through long-term prayer and alumni cultivation by Bill DePury, Area Director in nearby Florida. In March, Smiley Abrams of Mississippi and Chelir Grady of Texas—two veterans of ��ñ��’s Black Campus Ministry—brought teams of students to help Beau and Kristina make connections on several campuses and plant seeds of ministry. During one visit more than 100 students at Southern University expressed interest in campus ministry involvement.

In April ��ñ��’s team of Evangelism Champions visited three campuses—Louisiana State University (LSU), Tulane, and the University of New Orleans—and connected with 120 interested students, including two new believers. The outreach at Tulane was assisted by an ��ñ�� alumnus from the 1960s who has been praying for ministry to return to campus for many years. Another alumna at LSU guided the team down Greek Row, where they found several students who were already involved in Bible studies and interested in ��ñ��.

Beau was cautious about visiting Loyola University New Orleans, as he had heard they were leery of outside groups. But he met an administrator there who had also been praying for ��ñ�� to come to her campus. She introduced him to other administrators, including the Directors of Greek Life, Athletics, and Student Affairs. They welcomed him to campus and even talked about giving ��ñ�� office space.

In his planting ministry in Southern California, Beau learned how to start chapters on multiple campuses at once and network them together, raise up staff and volunteers, create advisory councils to resource the campus mission, and design tools that help spread the gospel on campus. These tools, lots of prayer, alumni involvement, and much more are being put into play now in Louisiana.

This fall as classes begin, Beau and his team have ambitiously identified five campuses for planting: LSU and Southern in Baton Rouge, Tulane and Loyola in New Orleans, and Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. Allison Allred, another campus ministry veteran, has joined the team, moving with her family from Arizona to Baton Rouge.

“The state of Louisiana is the leading edge of our new 2030 Calling, of reaching every corner of every campus with the gospel,” says Jon Hietbrink, Vice President, Central U.S. “I’m so excited about what God is doing in Louisiana.”

_{^{Photo: Students Lauren and Mark at Tulane University}}

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Southeastern Louisiana University

Evangelism

Greek Ministry

Black Campus Ministry

Greek Conference Renewal

webteam@intervarsity.org — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:00:00 +0000

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Greek Conference Renewal

Every year students involved in Greek ��ñ�� invite their fraternity brothers and sorority sisters to Greek conferences, which are held in Los Angeles, Indianapolis, and Charlotte.

Andy Dalton, the director of Greek Ministry, reports that lives are being transformed by God’s presence at these conferences. “Though we know so much more happens that isn’t measurable, it is good to celebrate what we do know,” he said.

Greek ��ñ�� is celebrating:

152 students who made decisions for Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
374 students who committed to being an ambassador for Christ in their chapter, on campus, and in the workplace
161 students who committed to starting or leading ministry in their chapter
193 students who committed to keep seeking and pursuing answers to their spiritual questions

During and after Greek Conference, many students testify to God’s transforming power in their lives.

One student testified: “I want to live my life boldly, unafraid of what people might think of me so I will graduate without regrets.”

Another said: “I now understand what having a relationship with God means. I now recognize it is not about following a bunch of rules. Having a relationship is more meaningful and more fulfilling.”

A third student testified: “I want to make my new definition of success ‘being faithful to God.’”

Video reports on Greek conference are available online:
Indianapolis – February 12-14, 2010
Charlotte – February 19-21, 2010

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Greek Ministry

Making a Rush Connection

webteam@intervarsity.org — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0000

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Michael, a 2007 Alpha Tau Omicron graduate from Clemson University

Making a Rush Connection

I didn’t know Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I joined ATO; but as I came to know him as my Lord and Savior, I could see that he wanted to use me in the Greek system to bring people back to him. I tried to be a Christian witness in the Greek system but I wasn’t succeeding very well. I was struggling with being busy and feeling all alone.

Then along came Dusty Harrison and Greek ��ñ��. I first met Dusty during Fall Rush. He told me he was starting a ministry for Greek students. I was hooked.
Discovering that I was not the only Greek believer at Clemson was an encouragement to me. This gave me the motivation to be more serious about my faith and my Greek friends.

1 Thessalonians 2: 11-12 says, “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”

I feel that this has been what Greek ��ñ�� has been about so far: gathering a strong core group of students who proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior and comforting and encouraging each other in our trials, tribulations, and struggles as we try to bring Light into a dark place.

We are urging one another to live lives worthy of God, Bible studies are popping up in new chapters, and our attendance is growing. We are also planning some outreach events to get more males involved, such as a guy’s camping weekend and a tailgate. Greek ��ñ�� is growing fast at Clemson University.

Update: Michael (far left in the picture) graduated from Clemson in May 2007. He is now in his second year of graduate school at Clemson, where he remains active in volunteering with Greek ��ñ��, Greek Conference, and staying in touch with some of his younger fraternity brothers.

Stories of more lives transformed through ��ñ��’s Greek Ministry, plus information on ��ñ��’s upcoming Greek conference in Southern California, can be found at the Greek ministry website.

You can make a direct financial donation to support ��ñ��’s work with Greek students at Clemson by following this link.

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Greek Ministry

Tears of Joy

webteam@intervarsity.org — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0000

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Andy Bilhorn

Tears of Joy

When I first met Christine, it was in a nice air-conditioned Starbucks on a hot summer day after her freshman year. I had heard of Christine through my staff partner, Emery.

Christine had had an incredibly transformational experience at Greek Conference. As we chatted I thought to myself that this was a down-to-earth woman who had seen a lot already as a young woman, yet was privileged to have the clear work of God’s healing in her life.

Christine started a house ministry in Alpha Phi the next year, and shortly afterwards it became Northwestern University’s largest sorority ministry. Her leadership led to the fast growth. 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 we spent the summer in Cairo on an ��ñ�� Global Urban Trek serving among the poor. A moment that is frozen in time in my head was the time when we came to the aid of an elderly widow who had been rejected by her family, lost everything to robbers, and had no one but God to provide for her. 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 with tears in our eyes, realizing that we had 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 wrestling with God. Tears flowed from our eyes as the Holy Spirit revealed 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.

It was natural that Christine would become president of Greek ��ñ�� her senior year – the selection team was unanimous in that decision. As we worked together, the potential that so many had seen in her became realized in full.

My favorite moments as a staff worker are when I see students leading. I can step into the background and celebrate them as they become the disciples and leaders Jesus calls them to be. I saw Christine leading and discipling women, as well as bringing a new emphasis on prayer to the Greek ministry at Northwestern University.

Christine and I were reflecting on our friendship over these years, and she said to me, “Andy, you believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself.” Tears welled in my eyes as I reflected on her words. I paused and realized 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.

^{Andy Bilhorn is a campus staff member with Greek ��ñ�� on the campus of Northwestern University. More stories on Greek ministry can be found at http://greekintervarsity.org/.}

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Greek Ministry

Calling All Greeks

webteam@intervarsity.org — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

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Calling All Greeks

Students in the Greek system on campuses across America often fall into the stereotypes that we ascribe to typical college students: partying and sex are prevalent among fraternity and sorority students. But God has been transforming the Greek system from the inside out, using organizations like ��ñ�� to reach students for himself. Over the past five months ��ñ�� hosted three regional Greek conferences – in Indianapolis; Charlotte, NC; and Los Angeles.

Greek Conference in Indiana
Students came away transformed – whether making a decision to follow Jesus for the first time, or recommitting their lives to him. The conference in Indiana, which was held from January 30 – February 1, had especially astounding results. Of the 520 participants in the conference, 84 students accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

At Greek Conference in Indianapolis, Andy Dalton, director of Greek ��ñ��, spoke about the man, who after 38 years of being an invalid, was healed by Jesus in John 5. Using this illustration, Andy called students to “pick up their mats and follow Jesus” just as the invalid had done.

This transformational call resonated with everyone. Non-believers were urged to commit to follow Jesus for the first time. Those who did believe in Christ were urged to follow Jesus in all aspects of their life.

Stories of Transformation
One ��ñ�� student, Cam, from the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) chapter at Purdue University in Indiana, brought 31 of his fraternity brothers with him to the conference. Seven of ATO brothers became Christians that weekend.

One student that Cam invited had an astounding turn-around at the conference. He was known beforehand in his fraternity as epitomizing the partying frat boy; but after coming home from Greek conference he stood up in front of the ��ñ�� chapter and said, “I found God this weekend, please help me change my life.” Eleven ATO alumni funded the conference for all 31 students.

A woman, who is a part of the Delta Delta Delta sorority at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and also the Greek ��ñ�� chapter there, came away from the conference with a new outlook about her life and faith. “I have always gone through the motions of faith – going to church and praying – but I had never really formed a strong relationship with God,” she said. “I left the conference a different person inside and out. My relationship with God flourished there.”

The Conferences Combined
God’s transforming power was evident at every Greek conference; combined, 822 Greek students attended the conferences. Each conference offered smaller tracks apart from the large plenary sessions, where students were given a universal call to respond to Jesus.

The tracks concentrated on a specific aspect of the Christian life, whether exploring what it means to be a follower of Christ, to how to start a Greek ��ñ�� chapter or a Bible study in their fraternity or sorority. Overall, 130 students made a decision for Christ, and another 468 students pledged to actively share their faith in their fraternity or sorority.

Every year Greek ministry gains momentum; despite the economic slump, alumni have been faithful in donating resources to see their brothers and sisters come to Christ. ��ñ�� is grateful to God for his continued presence and blessing on our work with Greek students.

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Greek Ministry

Belonging in God's Kingdom

webteam@intervarsity.org — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:00:00 +0000

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Teresa Buschur

Belonging in God's Kingdom

Emily Husch, a Christian physical therapy student at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI, wanted to reach out to her sorority sisters and share the gospel of Christ but was not sure how. As president of Alpha Xi sorority, Emily wanted more for her sisters than belonging to a social group on campus. She boldly began inviting her sisters to Greek Conference, ��ñ��’s annual weekend designed for Greek students to come and learn more about the significance of Jesus and the difference a relationship with God could make in their daily lives.

Eleven women signed up, representing four different sororities on campus. Each of these students connected with the speaker’s message about the Prodigal Son and identified their need to “come home.” The girls not only connected with Jesus but with each other as they worshipped, studied Scripture, and experienced fellowship together. One of the participants made a first-time commitment to Jesus Christ, while several others recommitted their lives to Him.

Upon their return to campus, Emily and Sarah, who attended the conference, launched a Greek-specific Bible discussion. The group decided to study the book Jesus With Dirty Feet by Don Everts (��ñ�� Press), to help them consider what Jesus’ life and death means within their college experience. This study is building connections on campus between Christian Greek students, God, and non-Christians.

A junior fraternity brother on campus, although he did not attend Greek Conference, meets regularly with Amy Jacobsen, ��ñ�� staff, for coffee and conversations about Christianity, Though he remains a sporadic attendee of small group and ��ñ��’s large group weekly meetings on campus, he continues to consider the meaning the Gospel has for his life.

Emily’s sorority sisters discovered they not only belong to a group on campus, but they also belong to the kingdom of God as his children. As students across the nation, like Emily, invite their friends into relationships through ��ñ��’s campus community, they discover their need for the most satisfying relationship: one with Jesus Christ.

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Greek Ministry

Persistence Pays Off

webteam@intervarsity.org — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:00:00 +0000

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Katie Montei

Persistence Pays Off

This past winter brought unparalleled, and seemingly unending, bad weather throughout the northeast. Nine students from the Massachusetts’s Institute of Technology (MIT) were trying to get to ��ñ��’s Greek Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, but were stranded in Boston because of a snowstorm. Three other students almost didn’t make it to the conference for other reasons outside of their control.

But despite the obstacles, all of these students found their way to North Carolina in time for the conference. And God’s hand was evident both in getting them there and in working to transform the lives of students attending. Overall, the chapter sent 35 students to the conference, the largest group from any school.

Clearly, God was not going to allow barriers to remain in the way of his transforming the lives of students. In an age when schools are leery of many ideas to do with Christianity, the school covered the cost of flights to the conference.

When the Greek Chapter at MIT discovered three days before the conference that because of a clerical error it was two plane tickets short, God’s hand was just as evident. Against all odds, the travel agent for the chapter was able to obtain the last two available plane tickets from Boston to Greensboro the day before Aaron Wippold (MIT’s Greek ��ñ�� staff worker) left for the conference.

The nine students stranded in Boston made the decision to drive through the night to arrive in time for the start of the conference. God kept them safe on their journey. Although it was risky for the students to drive all night through a snowstorm, it was a testament to both their desire to spend the weekend learning about God, and their trust in Jesus for their safety.

One sorority student found out that her father was being released from the hospital before the conference. Without question, she decided to stay and care for her father. But because of concern for her father and worry about the non-refundable plane tickets, she spoke with her parents and called Aaron to ask for prayer and direction. After seeking the Lord’s guidance, her parents encouraged her to go to Greensboro with the ��ñ�� chapter.

Once the conference began, God continued to work in the lives of these students from MIT. Two students left the weekend with new knowledge about the emptiness in them that only God could fill. Since the conference, Aaron has continued to meet with these students, discipling them to a deeper understanding about the decision they made at the conference to follow Jesus.

God has captivated the students at MIT with his transforming power, and the part he plays in each of their lives to fulfill his purpose. Aaron and his students have much to praise God for – in the new lives in Christ, God’s travel mercies for students, and the spiritual growth that abounds among each person in the chapter.

___

You can make a direct financial donation to support ��ñ��’s work with Greek students at MIT by following this link.

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Greek Ministry

Waiting on God

webteam@intervarsity.org — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:00:00 +0000

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Waiting on God

Matt Kammerait, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin—Madison, shares how Christian community transformed his life, not only during his college career but also in anticipation of his future career as a pastor.

“I was raised in a Christian home but growing up held the belief that faith was just one small part of a balanced life. Christian faith was the kind of thing you did on Sundays, at Youth Group, and the occasional church retreat. I had so far compartmentalized the religious aspect of my life that I figured if I did those things, the rest of my time could be used however I saw fit. As long as I wasn’t doing anything too bad I was probably fine.

“I was involved pretty heavily in the ‘party scene’ (drinking, drugs, and the like). By the time I went to college, I was in pretty bad shape. I wasn’t really sure what path I was going to follow, or even where the path I was on would lead. Over the course of my freshmen year, through involvement in ��ñ��, many of those long-standing beliefs I had were challenged. I realized that faith couldn’t just be a small part of a balanced life, but needed to saturate the very fiber of my being. Faith had to be the direction and reason behind everything I do.

“During freshman year, I reconsidered some of the choices I had made and the path I wanted to choose going forward. Though it was a tough process at times, I began to live more in line with God’s will. I transferred schools after my freshmen year, from the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire to the University of Wisconsin—Madison and I became involved with Greek ��ñ�� on campus. I was overjoyed to find a place where two spheres of my life, Christian fellowship and the Greek community, could overlap and even interact.

“Throughout the next few years, I began to take on leadership roles in ministry. I became President of Greek ��ñ�� at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. As I led the chapter, I began to feel my calling to full-time ministry take shape. Everyone’s call to ministry is unique. Mine was not a miraculous one-time event but a constant, gentle tug where I heard the “still, small voice of the Lord.” As my passions, interests, and gifts became clearer, a picture started to emerge of what I wanted my life to look like. I couldn’t ignore my desire to help transform the lives of others for Christ when choosing a vocation.

“I knew that seminary was the right choice for me because of the inspiration, or fire, that still ignites whenever I think about the possibilities. God used a variety of means to speak into my life. Beyond prayer and his Word, he placed an amazing array of leaders in my life; older student leaders in ��ñ�� to serve with and the ��ñ�� staff members on my campus. It was such an incredible opportunity and privilege to have the guidance of people who had been called into ministry and were a few years further down that path. The discipleship, support, and encouragement offered to me played a huge role in my spiritual growth. The friendship and accountability I had with other students played a formative role as well.

“Financially, seminary after graduation was not a possibility for me. It has been a struggle for me as irresponsibility early in my college career and the consequences of my pre-Christ lifestyle left me with a significant amount of debt. It is not easy to understand why, if God has ministry and seminary in my future, I would have to wait, enter the working world, and put off that call.

“I graduated this past December and accepted a position in “the marketplace.” Right now, the waiting part is frustrating but I know that God has a plan for this period in my life, too. This time of waiting and working will provide insight that I wouldn’t have had otherwise and value will come from it. My ministry doesn’t start when I enter seminary. It started the day I became a Christian and continues right now. I have a new opportunity, a new sphere of influence and relationships in which to make an impact for the Gospel. My hope is that this time of waiting will prove more useful than frustrating when I move towards what I feel is my specific call.”

Through Matt’s desire, he developed an understanding of why it is necessary for us to wait on God as he clarifies our calling and equips us to fully participate in his Kingdom. Many students on campuses across the country have similar questions and ��ñ�� desires to guide them as they seek the answers.

^{photo: Matt with fellow Greek ��ñ�� students Jenni and Serina. Jenni (middle) is now on staff with Greek ��ñ��.}

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Greek Ministry

Linking Italy to Greek

webteam@intervarsity.org — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:00:00 +0000

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Kate Yoder

Linking Italy to Greek

I wasn’t the typical ��ñ�� student. Or staff worker. My first chapter meeting was in Florence, Italy, in a drafty upstairs room of a cloistered medieval church, studying the Bible with Italians and student artists from South Africa, Sweden, and Canada. I entered the world of ��ñ�� as a Link staffworker in Italy. And now that I’m stateside, I can’t seem to get enough of ��ñ��.

After two and a half years as Link staff in Italy, I now teach eighth grade English in Indianapolis and continue to work with ��ñ�� as a volunteer for Greek Ministries. Serving as an ��ñ�� volunteer is a tremendous encouragement to me.

This past Greek Conference I was a small group leader in the World Changers track. As we studied the Bible together, I remembered how much I love discussing the Scriptures with college students. And it was a great gift to be able to share my experiences as Link staff in Italy and to talk with students who God may be leading to serve on campuses overseas. At the Alumni Reception I learned how the Greek ��ñ�� chapter got started at my alma mater, DePauw University, and found out how I can volunteer on my old campus.

Though I am no longer an ��ñ�� employee, my staff friends in Greek Ministries always make me feel very much a part of the ��ñ�� family. Late one night one of these friends listened to me talk about mourning the loss of my team and my relationships with students in Italy, and about the sorrow and loneliness I’ve faced this past year, adjusting to a new job and a new place. As he shared the story of his own journey in ministry with me, he helped me to identify gifts and passions for shepherding students that God will use whether in teaching or in ministry.

Most returning missionaries experience depression, guilt, and disconnectedness for some time as they reenter life in the US. So it’s a huge comfort to have an organization that keeps me connected and allows me to continue to share my gifts and experiences with students and staff as a volunteer.

Currently about 35 former Link staff are employed by ��ñ��/USA. Find more information on Link ministry here. Find more information about ��ñ��’s ministry to Greek students in fraternities and sororities here.

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Link

Greek Ministry

What it Means to be Christian and Greek

webteam@intervarsity.org — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:00:00 +0000

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Katie Montei

What it Means to be Christian and Greek

It seems an anomaly to think of Greek students coming together for the express purpose of worshipping God. One thing holds true for Greeks – they love to be in community, and ��ñ�� provides them a place to develop friendships and learn about Jesus. Our fastest growing ministry is to Greek Students. From February 1-3, ��ñ�� held its annual Greek Conference in Indianapolis, and over 500 Fraternity and Sorority students attended.

The weekend was filled with worship, speakers, and different seminar tracks for students who already know Christ and for those still learning about who he is. But in the plenary sessions, students heard stories of transformation about their Greek brothers and sisters, powerful stories about the way God is working in the Greek system from the inside out.

One student, Maggie McGuinness, an Alpha Delta Pi from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign gave her testimony during Saturday’s plenary session. She walked confidently onto the stage, let out an appreciative and bubbly laugh, and launched into her story of transformation, speaking to the crowd as if they were familiar old friends.

The familiarity with which Maggie spoke illustrates the bond between Greek students, and that relationship reflects the bond between Christians as well. As Greeks, just as with Christians, they are linked by a common experience, and that gives them camaraderie among people whom they’ve never met, a feeling of belonging to something that transcends just themselves.

Their shared experience as Fraternity and Sorority students also gives them the freedom to express their stories openly and without fear of judgment. Their struggles and temptations are similar, and the sense of belonging they share allows them to be vulnerable with each other. Greek ��ñ�� gives students the chance to share both their sin and redemption with others who know just where they’re coming from.

With candor and enthusiasm, Maggie spoke about her first years of college; she joined a sorority, quickly got caught up in the party scene, and began to live a double life – one with her friends from Bible Study and a very different one with her Sorority sisters.

It was the genuine and joyful faith of a believer within the Greek system that inspired her to pursue a more authentic relationship with Jesus. And it was her involvement in Greek ��ñ�� that taught her to integrate her life as a Christian and her life as an Alpha Delta Pi.

Staff and students ministering to Greeks provide community and biblical teaching to a unique culture. They offer them a place where a connection can be made between the bond between Greek brothers and sisters and brothers and sisters in Christ. As Maggie explained, “I don’t think God was calling me to be only a Greek or to be only a Christian, he was calling me to lead one life as a Christian in a sorority and to follow him and love him. I don’t think I could be here if it wasn’t for the . . . encouragement of the older women in Greek ��ñ�� who showed me how to live my life with integrity and to be proud of my relationship with Jesus and to live happily for him, and not for a second feel that I couldn’t share that with my sorority sisters.”

Staff and students who leader in Greek ��ñ�� set an example for their fellowships of an integrated life – one in which the students learn that they don’t have to give up being Greek to live whole-heartedly as followers of Jesus.

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Greek Ministry