Visit Faculty in their Offices - Ministry Exchange (MX)

You Never Know.

A staff member sat in a faculty member’s office and gently suggested,
“Perhaps you could be the Christian professor the InterVarsity students are
looking for to be their faculty sponsor.” After some further clarification
the professor agreed. This led to more and more ministry with the students
at the university and at other places. On a later visit the staff voiced
appreciation and wonder at all that God had been doing through this
professor and his wife. Then he asked, somewhat hesitantly, “Have you
thought and prayed about reaching out to fellow faculty as well?” A big
gulp from prof, “No, but I’ll think and pray about it.” After a number of
years that professor could count 200+ different faculty members who had
passed through the Bible study that he led on that campus.

The staff member was Jim Nyquist who became the Director of InterVarsity
Press. The professor was John Alexander who became the President of
InterVarsity in the U.S. You never know.

Some of you may remember that I have been in Faculty Ministry for 15 years.

During those years I met professors, from Berkeley to Boston, who pointed
to the model of John and Betty Alexander as their inspiration for their own
ministry with students and faculty. That staff member who contacted John
has seen that initial visit produce effects literally around the world.
You never know.

Have you targeted Christian faculty you could visit and eventually help to
get into campus ministry? It’s not that hard. Twenty minutes. Pass on
news of what InterVarsity is experiencing on the campus, ask how you can
pray for him or her, then pray and out the door. On a later visit have a
suggestion of how they could get involved and help: speak at large group
meetings; host small groups in their home; pray with leaders, etc. The
Faculty Ministry website has lots of helps including past Faculty
Newsletters with stories of an amazing array of ministry faculty have had
on their campuses, tips for activities professors can carry out on campus
plus many more.

Try it-you never know.

Terry Morrison
Emeritus Director
InterVarsity Faculty Ministry