For 60 years, the heartbeat of InterVarsity has been campus evangelism and biblical truth. But recently a new union of these core values has given birth to GIGs, a way to study the Bible that is up-close and personal. Christian students invite their non-believing friends to take a front-row seat and look at the life and ministry of Jesus for themselves. “At first non-Christian students are apprehensive about studying the Bible,” said Amy Smith, I-V campus staff at the University of Nevada at Reno. “Then they learn about Jesus and begin to like him. The Bible has the power to change lives, and all we need to do is get students in front of God’s Word and their hearts will begin to change.”
As you plan GIGs with your friends, here are some stories from this last year to encourage you.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK
U. of Nevada–Reno
Amy Smith
Students in our I-V chapter have been surprised to find that most of their friends have spiritual interest, and are willing and excited to do GIGs with them. All they have to do is ask!
Rebecca invited three of her roommates to the large-group meeting, the Point, but only one signed up to do a GIG. As she was setting a time with Jessica to begin their GIG, another roommate came home and asked what they were doing. Rebecca said, “We’re just setting up a time to do our GIG.” This roommate, Liz, said, “I wanted to sign up for that, but I didn’t because I wasn’t sure who they would put me with. Can I do it with you both?” As they were saying “yes”, the third roommate walked in and said, “What are you all talking about?” They explained to Stacey that they were setting up a time to do their GIG, and Stacey said, “Can I do it with you, too? I wanted to sign up for one, but I wasn’t sure who they would put me with.” Rebecca was able to lead a GIG with all of her roommates.
Jamie decided to invite her friends, Mike and Steve, to do a GIG with her. She was convinced Steve would say yes and Mike would definitely say no. To her surprise, Steve said, “no way!” but Mike enthusiastically said he thought that would be cool!
Jenny’s friend, Molly, went to the Point with her but did not sign up to do a GIG. Jenny decided to ask her anyway, and Molly said, “Yes, I’d love to.” After doing their first GIG, Jenny explained that the GIG lasted four weeks, so they’d meet three more times. Molly responded, “Why only four times? Why can’t we keep doing this all year?”
Cassandra’s brother and his girlfriend both signed up to do a GIG. They had it at her brother’s apartment, and when she got there, she asked her brother’s roommates if they wanted to stay. All four said yes! The seven of them have been meeting for the GIG each week.
—Amy Smith is on InterVarsity staff at the University of Nevada–Reno.
JOINING THE PARTY
Purdue U. (IN)
Christine Twedt
Last year we saw exciting things happen as a result of the GIGs we had in the Greek houses at Purdue University. In the spring I led a GIG with one of our chapter leaders, Bethany, and her non-Christian friend, Jenn. Our second study together was the story of the Prodigal Son. At the end of our study, I asked Jenn where she saw herself in her spiritual journey. Was she in the distant country, or on the way home, or at the party?
Jenn thought she was standing in the doorway of the party. I asked her if she wanted to come in to the party. This is a great picture of receiving Christ for a non-Christian Greek! I explained the Gospel again and reassured her that she didn’t need to be perfect to come to “the party.”
With tears in her eyes, Jenn asked if she could finally join the party. Bethany and I had the privilege of ushering another sister into the Kingdom that day! As Jenn said, “So, those angels are partying in heaven because of me, huh?” They sure are!
—Christine Twedt is on staff with I-V Greek Ministries at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. She loves to watch old movies with friends and bake chocolate chip cookies. She always enjoys a really good party.
SKEPTICAL BUT CURIOUS
St. Mary’s College (CA)
Julien Smith
During dinner at our apartment one night, I asked Matt if he’d like to join a GIG. He looked skeptical and asked what it was. I told him we’d be looking at the biographies of Jesus to see what God was like and how he was relevant for our lives. He still looked skeptical, so I reassured him that he didn’t need to know anything about God, religion or the Bible, and that there would be other skeptics like him at the GIG. He said he’d give it a try.
I had been building friendships with students like Matt all semester long, praying God would awaken spiritual hunger in their hearts. That Thursday, I went to the lounge early with Rian, a student leader, to wait and pray. Who was going to come?
At 10 p.m., Matt walked through the door! So did four other students! We spent the next hour talking about Luke 10, where a lawyer asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Matt’s perspective was that there was no such thing as eternal life. When you died, that was it. Yet the next week, when we read Jesus’ words in Luke 12 (“Do not be anxious about your life . . .”), Matt confessed that, in fact, he worried quite a bit about what happens when you die. I think God was at work in Matt’s heart.
At a later GIG, we read the parable of the Prodigal Son. At the end, Matt said that it answered a lot of questions he had about God. He was struck by the picture of a God who welcomes us back with open arms, no matter what we’ve done. That’s the image of God we all cling to as Christians, and now he’s seeing it for the very first time.
—Julien Smith was on staff at St. Mary’s College. He is finishing an MA in biblical studies and theology. Julien and his wife, Hope, love to play with their 8-month-old son, Eben.
JUST DOING IT
U. of Illinois–Urbana
Mindy Meier
As a result of the Greek Conference last fall, Steve started a Bible study at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was really scared about starting a study, but I reminded him that courage is not the absence of fear, but the resolve to do God’s will despite our feelings. Quaking with fear, Steve went ahead and launched the study. About ten guys came, including the president of the house.
After the first study, he came up to me and said leading the study was one of the most wonderful experiences in his life. He could just feel God in the room. I think he is experiencing first-hand what Jesus said in John 4:34, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me.” There is nothing more exhilarating than feeling like you are being used by the living God to transform peoples’ lives.
—Mindy Meier is a Greek Campus Staff at the U. of Illinois. Her husband, Bill, is a pastor. They have four children and one son-in-law.
THE INVITATION
U. of Iowa
Sarah Shannon
After a GIG training day last February, senior Joe Dunnwald decided to take a risk and invite one of his non-believing hall-mates into a GIG. This guy was not interested.
However, to Joe’s surprise, his friend’s roommate, Jason, jumped into the conversation and asked Joe if he would do the GIG with him instead! Surprised by this turn of events, Joe said, “Yes!” and the GIG began.
Joe and Jason spent the next few months meeting every week to study and discuss scenes from the gospels describing Jesus and his ministry. Jason’s questions were lively. With two weeks left in the semester, Jason decided it was time to make his decision about Jesus. That night, Joe had the great pleasure of welcoming Jason into the family of faith!
—Sarah Shannon served on I-V staff at the University of Iowa as a volunteer from 1997–1999 and then full time from 1999–2002.
CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY
Bemidji State U. (MN)
Sandi Shelton
Get in a GIG! That’s what students throughout our region were urged to do early last fall. GIGs began popping up on all our campuses, with hundreds of students participating and many coming to Christ.
One day I had lunch with Tonia, who had just started attending our GIG. I asked Tonia about her background, how she liked the GIG on Tuesdays, and if she understood how people became followers of Jesus. She didn’t, so I shared the gospel with her. Then I asked if she was ready to make the first step by accepting his death, forgiveness, resurrection and leadership. She said yes. So right there in the union cafeteria we prayed!
A few hours later, two of Tonia’s Christian friends from the chapter heard the news and were so excited for her! After Tonia finished her night class, the four of us went out for ice cream and pie, gave her a “birthday” gift and card, and laughed a lot! It was a great “spiritual birthday” party!
—Sandi Shelton is on I-V staff at Bemidji State University (MN). She also leads a GIG for the BSU women’s hockey team.
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