New Student Outreach 2012

Labor Day Barbecue at SLU

It's been a busy few weeks already here at SLU!  Let me give you a little recap of what InterVarsity has been upto:

Aug 22-23 - The leaders gather in Saint Louis to pray and plan for the semester to come. We study Matthew 28 and talk about what it means to "Go and make disciples of all nations" on campus.

Saturday (8.25) - We set up a table on campus to pass out 300+ water bottles and 200 Capri Suns to freshmen on campus tours.  About 60 of them filled out interest cards!

Waiting for students at SLU Fair

Sunday (8.26) - A few of us attended the first Mass of the year at College Church, an annual SLU tradition complete with Ted Drewes frozen custard!

Tuesday (8.28) - Campus Ministries open house - we joined the other affiliated campus ministries at SLU for a night of worship music and meeting interested students - lots of great conversations!

Wednesday (8.29) - SLU Fair - the student organization fair where we usually meet a lot of the new freshmen as they tour all the student organizations on campus. We had about 12 IV leaders work the table (in the heat!) - they were amazing at meeting people!

A little cereal for your ice cream?

Thursday (8.30) - Follow-up day! We visited and took gifts to people who had given us their contact information (and invited them to brunch on Saturday!)

Saturday (9.1) - Freshmen Breakfast! This was our biggest one ever with over 30 freshmen spread across 4 apartments as upperclassmen cooked breakfast and hosted our new friends. So. Many. Pancakes :)

Sunday (9.2) -  IV Goes to Church - Every September we take students to different churches in St. Louis.  We really value church involvement in InterVarsity so we try to connect students with local congregations that love college students and are actively on mission in the city. This week, we went to August Gate Church.

Monday (9.3) - Labor Day Barbecue - Last year we started a tradition of grilling out by the pool on Labor Day to welcome back the returning students from previous years and introduce them to all our new freshmen friends. Last year, I had no idea what I was doing with charcoal (I'm a gas guy!) but this year, I learned my lesson and bought a chimney for the coals.  We served about 150 hot dogs and hamburgers and actually ran out of food a couple hours in.  All in all, I'd guess at least 100 people stopped by, both new friends and old.

All in all, we've met and followed-up with about 160 new students, including more new upperclassmen than any year I can remember.  It's been quite a ride!  We could really use your prayers as we faithfully continue to build relationships with so many new folks and take every opportunity to share the Gospel along the way!