The next two weeks are critical for thousands of students on our university campuses! Beginning last week, both here at University of Southern California and across the country, thousands upon thousands of freshmen and international students are walking onto a college campus to start a new life. In the next thirty days 4,146 campuses will welcome over seven million students. The excitement of a new challenge, new friends, classes, new living conditions and, of course, cafeteria food, will be among the common experiences for many.
In this time, students will look for their niche, a place of community, a place to belong. This is why our 247 Chi Alpha groups are working hard in these days to connect with as many students as possible. Countless numbers of burgers, pizzas, and hot dogs will be consumed! Gallons of soda, coffee, water and tea will disappear. Events such as capture the flag, flag football, Texas Barbeques, “Red” day, “Discover America”, video scavenger hunts and football tailgate parties will be attended. They will give away gifts from local merchant discount cards to laundry bags to long distance phone cards along with tracts and Bibles. Hundreds of Chi Alpha students will volunteer to help strangers with boxes and suitcases from the parking lot to that new dorm room. All of this is the golden opportunity. It is the chance to make a connection. It is the window of opportunity to meet newcomers who are looking for friends. It is the moment to serve and to love students in the most obvious ways possible. It is our chance on campus to be Jesus. Thank you for your support of our ministry which allows us to be here at a golden opportunity. In the next few weeks, friendships will develop, which will lead to people being introduced to Jesus and, ultimately, the course of a person’s eternal destiny will change forever. Thank you for praying.