Welcome Week!

First of all, let me apologize for my long absence in posting. We have been pretty busy these last few weeks welcoming the students back to campus!

Now that school has been in session for a full week, things are starting to set into their normal rhythm for our schedules. That means time to write a blog to tell you about Welcome Week.

Welcome Week is actually longer than a week, but we use it to refer to the time when students start moving in through the end of the week when classes begin. For much of this time, school feels more like camp to the students. Classes haven't started and there are thousands of students roaming around campus exploring what the University has to offer.

It is a vital time for RUF to be out welcoming students to the campus and getting our name out for any students looking for a Christian community or curious about Christianity.

This year we set up tables in high traffic areas of campus to give away Freeze-pops (about 600), RUF stadium cups filled with candy (about 300), & RUF sunglasses (about 100). We also let students know about events such as tailgating for the first game, kickball & watermelon, a s'mores social, welcome BBQ, & a big hike.

The big hike at Billy Goat Trail

All of these programs are intended to bless new students, give a smile and start building relationships to further the Kingdom of God.  We are not just handing out free stuff for fun, but rather to show the grace of God which is free. Some students can't believe that we are giving away things with no strings attached but this is what we do. We hope through these gifts of grace, by your support, that we can begin to break down walls of unbelief and build friendships which will be fruitful in bringing students to Christ.

S'mores & 70+ people at Giant Jenga!

Kickball on the Mall

Our Welcome BBQ

We are off to a good start but now we need your prayers as we attempt to follow up with the many students we contacted and had sign up for more information (approx. 80). Pray for students to be spurred by God's Spirit to connect and come out to our Large Group and small group meetings and that they would be open to one on one's with Logan, Chris and I. We have met many new friends and are excited about these relationships. 

Grace & Peace,