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This document is part of a larger cluster of articles about InterVarsity
chapter planting at https://www.intervarsity.org/mx/page/chapterplanting
Southern New Hampshire University
by Tom Brink
The Campus
Southern New Hampshire University is a middle-sized residential/commuter
campus in Manchester, NH, the largest city in the state. It is also our
most diverse campus with more than 15 percent minority students. By
contrast, most campuses in New Hampshire are less than three percent
minority students.
The Challenges
Four years ago the Catholic chaplain (who has been the keeper of the gate
for 15 years) told me that “no students are interested in a Bible study”
and that he was very suspicious of para-church groups.
Ministry Contacts and Opportunities
The breakthrough in ministry came in a number of ways. First, and most
important, the Catholic chaplain hired a Protestant chaplain part-time. I
met her at a New England pastors meeting. She was very pro-InterVarsity.
She put me into contact with a small Bible study happening on campus. One
student came to our Spring Conference in 2005.
Then, in summer 2005, two freshmen contacted this Protestant chaplain to
ask about a group on campus. This core of three students and the chaplain
advertised at freshmen days in the fall and started meeting under the
authority of the chaplain’s office. They now have two Bible studies and a
prayer meeting going with around 15 students. In April 2006 they became a
recognized club for the following year.
What We Are Doing
We are now permitted to have Bible studies and events through the official
campus ministry channels.
Our Vision
These student leaders have great vision and drive, which gives me hope.
Also, the Campus Crusade link staff is moving and thus the conflict of
having two ministries leading or investing in the group may end.
What God is Doing
It’s a miracle. We’ve been praying for an open door since the 1980’s when
the InterVarsity group which was there died. So the barrier of a hostile
place for Christians has changed.
The Protestant chaplain was there for such a time as this and God used her
mightily.
Help Needed
We need resources of a full-time staff to work on this campus. It is a
critical hub to open up other schools in the largest city in the state.
Chapter_Planting_4yr_Lrg_Southern_New_Hampshire_U.doc
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