Turning up the Temperature

I believe you are either a thermometer or a thermostat. One records the existing temperature, but the other sets the temperature. A while ago, God began turning up the heat in my life. I had become rather comfortable as I evaluated the ministry on our campuses in northern Minnesota. Chapters were growing, and great things were happening. Then the Lord showed me how much more there was for us to do, and he began adjusting the thermostat. Suddenly my life was getting very uncomfortable, and I was beginning to sweat.

Our chapter leaders knew about the command of Jesus to take his message “to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Our chapters found it easy to reach “Jerusalem,” the people around them who showed up at events because they were looking for something, or who were easy to reach. God had blessed us with so many amazing communities on different campuses . . . it was tempting to be comfortable with our outreach and want to stay in our “Jerusalem.”

But God challenged me with the idea that reaching 20 percent of the campus did not include “Judah, Samaria, or the ends of the earth.” God still loved the 80 percent we were neglecting. Did I? Would I take my spiritual gifts and use them to reach all of the campus, even going to those places and people that made me uncomfortable? Would I turn up the temperature with more effective witness and not just be content with a great community experience?

I must admit my first thoughts were less than admirable. “What if no one joins me?” “What if we fail?” And then I was reminded that my job is to use my gifts and be faithful. God’s job is to provide the empowerment and the results.

So with much prayer, good training, and like-minded partners, off I went to plan the best and latest cutting edge events, witnessing T-shirts, more posters, banners . . . not!

Nope! Instead, I challenged students at the beginning of the year to befriend two seekers who might be interested in having a GIG (Groups Investigating God) with them. Then, two months later, they would be invited to the weekend Get-Away in November. This “Harvest Retreat” was specially designed for seekers, and Christian students couldn’t come unless they brought a seeking friend.

Well, this may sound like an easy thing to do, even wimpy. My staff team and I agreed it was about time we raised the bar in witness, but inside we were shaky. All kinds of questions came to mind: Aren’t we going to continue training students in witness? What if students don’t like our ideas? What if no one has any seeking friends? (Yeah, right!) What if we can’t find a camp, a speaker, and food? What if we don’t raise the money for our retreat? What if no one comes?

Well, these thoughts were all too familiar a temptation to me, so I said, “Get behind me, Satan!” Then amazing things started happening. Students genuinely made friends and shared their faith with those who were spiritually seeking. There were 51 students who came to the retreat from a great blend of backgrounds. We raised the funds needed. We found an inexpensive camp, ate great food, and God provided a 60-degree day in November in northern Minnesota. Instead of ice-skating on the lake, we could go swimming in it!

Rather than importing a special speaker, the staff simply told their stories, and students loved the up-close and personal look at our individual faith journeys. Students led GIGs so that their friends could hear the story of Jesus and his love for each of them.

On Sunday morning I addressed the group and asked people to stand if they wanted to begin a journey towards Jesus, and 21 did! To date, 14 of them have become Christians. They are International students, freshmen, and women’s hockey players. They are from the 80 percent of the campus we weren’t reaching, our “Samaria.” Their openness to God amazes us!

The story doesn’t end there. It is ongoing. Back on campus, students are leading GIGs and living in strategic areas. Their goal is no more than two Christians per dorm floor. One of the staff has partnered with a couple of Christian hockey players to host a GIG for the women’s hockey team. Sixteen of 22 on the team have come so far. Six are believers; many are on their way.

We’ve also changed our leadership structure. We are trying to have GIGs in each dorm and also move into the academic areas. We plan our events around GIGs. I know we are going in the right direction when I hear freshmen saying, “Can I lead a GIG?” They are becoming God’s thermostats where they live and study. They are setting the temperature on their campus.

—Terry Fisher is in her twenty-first year on staff, serving InterVarsity as an area director in northern Minnesota. She is married to Steve and is the mother of Jessica and Jacob. Terry loves living on the Mississippi River and collecting coffee mugs.