One of our favorite times of the year is the end of August/early September. The main reason is Student Involvement Fairs! All of the campuses have an interest fair within the first week or so of students being on campus. This is where all the clubs set up their tables, give away free stuff, and get the word out there about their organization. For us, its not just about informing people about Cru... it's about Jesus, it is a chance for us to get information from students on spiritual things, and follow-up with them the following week about the survey that they fill out for us.
These fairs are essential to our entire year and also to the next 4 years of the ministry. It is said that the first few weeks on campus freshman will decide the group of friends/clubs/organizations that they will attend for the next 4 years of college. The influence that those 4 years have on them will affect the rest of their life-- their belief systems, their jobs, their values, etc. So these first few weeks are sooo crucial not just for our 'organization', but really for their souls! The activities fair--- is one of the greatest tools we have in reaching the student population for Christ.
At Rutgers we usually collect 200 students' info, and spend a week or 2 calling, emailing, visiting, inviting, and having many spiritual conversations with these 200 students. Also the week after, many of our schools' cru movements (mainly Rutgers) have a Freshman week. A LOT of events planned-- barbeque's, getting ice cream, and the ever so famous at Rutgers: 'bubble tea nights'...sooo fun!! It is meant for us to connect more quickly and more deeply with the freshman that we invite (one's we met at orientation and at the activities fair).
HOWEVER.... this year... IRENE HIT!! I know that there are people who had severe damage as a result of the storm and our challenge is nothing in comparison... but this is how it affected our ministry at Rutgers. Rutgers postponed the activities fair that was supposed to be yesterday to next Friday... a week and 1/2 later than it was supposed to be. We have events planned for THIS week.. and very few freshman students to invite them to. So yesterday we and our returning students went to Livingston Campus the freshman campus and tried to meet as many freshman as we could, and asked them to fill out our surveys and invite them to our events... we had to think quick, and by faith thats what we decided to do. So we're not sure what this week will bring, but by faith we're going to hold our events and invite the few freshman that we can. Tonight is our first freshman event, we're going to get Bubble Tea :) !! If you read this please pray for this event for new students to show up. Please also pray for our other events: Friday, hanging out in the "Rutgers Zone" (a cool arcade) on Livingston, Saturday- BB-CRU (bbq), and then also pray for us on Sept. 9th and the week that follows..that's when the activities fair is rescheduled for.
Here's the first curveball of the semester...we'll choose to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and trust Him, because this isn't a curveball for Him.. because He is in complete control as our Sovereign King! Praise the Lord, He knows what He's doing...ALWAYS!!
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