In the past 5 weeks of school, the ministry of Cal Christian Fellowship has helped to welcome over 350 students to the Cal campus! Through our weekly large groups, ongoing Bible studies, and special events such as our “Field Day” event, our InterVarsity fellowship has been able to share God’s love with a diversity of students- both new and returning.
Would you take some time to celebrate these students with me?
“I want a relationship with God”
During welcome week, I got to meet a freshmen named “Sarah” (name has been changed). I met her in the dorms and noticed her wearing a sweatshirt for Campus by the Sea (InterVarsity’s camp at Catalina). By asking about it, I found out that she grew up in a Hindu family but attended a Catholic high school (that visited CBS for science camp). As a result, she has been exposed to some of the teachings of the Bible.
This past week, I got to meet again with Sarah. As we talked, she expressed to me her desire to figure out what she believes in college and to make a faith decision that is her own. At one point in our conversation, she even said “I want to have a relationship with God, but want it to be something I choose for myself.“ By the end of our meeting, we agreed to meet regularly to talk about the Christian faith, and what it means to have a relationship with God.
Please continue to pray for Sarah, as I meet with her regularly to discuss questions about faith and what it means to have a relationship with God! Pray that she would choose to commit her life to Jesus in college!
“I can find a path of peace while here”
This year, my main role is to work with the team of student leaders who help to coordinate weekly large group meetings. During the first month of school, we went through a series called “You’ve been Tagged-Called out from the Crowd” and focused on ways that Jesus initiates relationship with us. During the LG series, many students were touched and reminded of how life-changing the love of Jesus really is.
A new student, a junior transfer named Joy, shares her testimony: “Large groups have helped me with the transition to UC Berkeley. They offer me the space to slow down and seek out God, here in this new place and in my studies. They help me to remember to bring God into my daily life so I can find a path of peace while here. He is with me!”
Please continue to pray for large groups to be a space where a diversity of students can encounter the presence of Jesus in tangible and relevant ways.