USA (MNN) ― Fall means homecoming celebrations on college campuses, bringing a migration of alumni back to their alma maters.
Doug Nickelson is alumni director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He says they've found ministry in the transition that comes post-graduation. "Our purpose on campus is about lifelong discipleship, not just fellowship and living a Christian life on the campus. So when we're forward-looking at developing 'world changers,' we're also looking at our alumni to see what's happening in their life -- are they exemplifying that lifelong discipleship?"
For example, recently about twenty-five InterVarsity alumni who graduated during the late sixties and early seventies from colleges and universities in North Carolina gathered in Durham for a reunion.
Roger Anderson, InterVarsity's national field director, attended. He said that he was inspired by the stories of appreciation for campus ministry that he'd heard from these alumni.
"What greatly impressed me," said Roger, "was the thankfulness these alumni expressed about how InterVarsity had helped to transform their lives and how our ministry had taught them to integrate their discipleship to Jesus into every part of their lives."
Nickelson says they're teaching the witnessing communities what it means to be a true "kingdom builder." "Our mission field is still the campus, and the former students who are our alumni, then, of course are showing that these world-changers are making a difference. In InterVarsity, our alumni are the links connecting their past and our present to the future."
There'a major benefit to campus ministry in continuing alumni connections. The more alumni remain in touch with the ministry through prayer letters and direct contact, the more they are involved in praying for and supporting the ongoing campus ministry.
According to InterVarsity, in the last five years the alumni connection was strengthened as a Strategic Initiative. The ministry database has grown by a third, and more people are identifying with the ministry and supporting it -- that translates to a different kind of longevity.
As colleges graduate young adults to take their place in the community, InterVarsity is ensuring there are ranks of believers, discipled and equipped with the tools they need to transition into the work of Kingdom building, as well.
If you want more details about the alumni work of InterVarsity, click here.
