On some campuses, InterVarsity operates separate outreaches to international students, sororities and fraternities, and ethnic minority groups, as well as various career-specific graduate chapters.
USA (MNN) ― As the economy goes into recession, non-profit organizations all over the United States are tightening their belts as they face decreases in charitable giving this holiday season.
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is reviewing budgets, considering how it can use its resources more carefully and efficiently as it plans events like Urbana 09, its triennial student missions conference.
The ministry is thankful for the many donors who faithfully support its vision of seeing students and faculty transformed, campuses renewed, and world changers developed. As one donor said, "The Kingdom of God does not stop because of a bad economy."
InterVarsity has set a goal of planting 100 new chapters on campuses over a period of five years. 42 chapters have been planted since 2006, and at least 40 more are planned for the next couple years.
During the 2007-2008 school year, InterVarsity operated 855 chapters on 556 campuses, serving more than 32,200 students. The chapters are making an impact on campuses for the kingdom of God.
The president of Mesa Community College in San Diego was impressed by an AIDS awareness exhibit that was co-sponsored by World Vision and the college's InterVarsity chapter.
"InterVarsity impacted our college and moved it to acquire a heart," he said. "InterVarsity's Impact One tent touched the campus, and it touched me. We are not the same."
In November, InterVarsity's eight chapters at Harvard University worked together to sponsor an on-campus lecture series by N.T. Wright, an Anglican bishop. Bishop Wright challenged Harvard students to change the world, biblically. Days later, a Chinese student who had attended the lectures became a Christian at a chapter event.
The purpose of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA is to establish and advance at colleges and universities witnessing communities of students and faculty who follow Jesus as Savior and Lord. You can help InterVarsity continue fulfilling its purpose in tough economic times.
