“Well, I certainly couldn’t do that,” I said to myself as I listened to a pep talk about GIGs (Groups Investigating God). The speaker at our InterVarsity Fall Conference was enthusiastically encouraging us to begin a GIG at our respective schools. Just find some seekers, teach them about Christ, show them the Light, and there you go! “Yeah, that will happen,” I thought sarcastically. Surely I didn’t know enough about the Bible or about the life of Jesus, nor was I strong enough in my own spiritual walk to lead a study for seekers. GIGs are supposed to be led by theology majors and children of ministers, right?

Despite my own hesitation to lead a study, the creative wheels began turning in my head (wheels I learned later were sent by the Holy Spirit). I soon had the idea for something a bit different—but perfect for the women on the eighth floor of my residence hall. I would host an informal discussion about our faith beliefs. I knew it would be less confrontational and less intimidating for me if we all just gathered in my room for an hour of getting to know each other and talking about what God means to us.

I quickly scribbled down notes, starting with the name for the group: GURLS (Girls Understanding: Relationships, Lordship and Spirituality). We’d have a weekly discussion, and I could slowly incorporate more and more about Christ and the Bible. It would be a great way to talk about current issues and problems associated with being a Christian woman on a college campus, while revealing the good news. I was excited! But I didn’t tell a soul.

Right after the conference I talked with my R.A. about making an announcement at the next floor meeting. She thought my idea was a good one, and gave me a minute to describe GURLS and pass around a sign-up sheet, which seemed less confrontational than raising hands, especially for skeptics. Eight people were interested. I was so happy! Well, the first meeting flopped, but I soon learned a few tricks that made GURLS grow to what it is today: a GIG (yes, it is one!) with 12 members and expanding! Here are a few things I’ve learned:

• Don’t hesitate to think outside the box! I knew what would go over in my residence hall and what would entice women to join. While a “discussion about our faith” worked for GURLS, there are endless possibilities for attracting seekers.

• Sliding notes under doors is a great method to get the word out. People won’t be caught reading a sign in public, and they can look at your advertisement in the privacy of their own room. Plus, you know that they have received it. Personalizing each note shows that you care.

• I always begin with an ice breaker. In the first meeting, we shared some of our embarrassing moments. The women had fun talking about their experiences, and we could all laugh together.

• Keep it light! Don’t get too serious too early on. Especially for women, it’s important to earn trust and build friendship before we let down our guard, especially about sensitive issues like faith.

• Be enthusiastic! I was ecstatic about GURLS and the work of the Holy Spirit. It really paid off. The girls reciprocated my energy and became just as passionate about Christ as I am! Set your tone high. Like the saying goes, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you will land among the stars.”

• Tie in personal experiences of the group members whenever possible. People like to talk about themselves, and when you listen attentively they will have more respect for you and what you say.

• Don’t hide your own fears. Be honest. I told them the first day that I did not have all the answers, and that I wanted to grow in my faith. I also told them about my fear of praying out loud. They really appreciated my honesty, and saw that I was not a pretentious Christian trying to convert them, but rather a fellow student with questions of her own. For the first few meetings, I wrote out all the prayers on paper, and read them aloud. Gradually I prayed out loud, and others did, too. Now I am comfortable praying anytime, anywhere, with anyone!

• Plan social activities in addition to the Bible studies. We all decided to go to a baseball game and made GURLS shirts together for it. This was a great way to get our name out and, because each GURL made her own shirt, she was proud to wear it. We used the kitchen in the residence hall, and a friend of a member came to check out what was going on. Everyone told her that GURLS was so much fun, and I quickly invited her to join us. She declined, but was taken aback by the open expression of hospitality.

  During that same social activity, a shy non-Christian roommate of a GURL poked her head in to ask about the outing (she had seen the flier I slipped under the door). I knew she was a baseball fan, and would want to come along. While I think she felt a little out of place at first, she kept asking me questions about GURLS. “I don’t want to intrude; I’m not really a part of your group,” she often said. I assured her that we loved having her join us. After the game, she sent me a thank-you letter saying how much she appreciated being included. I received an e-mail message over the summer from her, saying, “If it’s still okay with you, I would like to be a part of GURLS in the fall.”

I never suspected that my little group was a GIG, but as soon as I told my chapter leader about it, she was thrilled to hear about my GIG. “Oh, it’s not a GIG,” I said, “just a discussion.” She shook her head and told me I could call it what ever I wanted, but it was indeed just what I-V encourages students to try.

At the end of last year, I sent out a sheet asking what people wanted to do differently this year. To my delight and amazement, they wanted more Bible-based discussions. We had done a few studies in James, and the women cited these as their favorites. While informality hooked them, the true words of Christ are what reeled them in.

I never imagined what a wonderful experience GURLS would be, and how much it would impact my life and the lives of the women on our floor. I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do this year through our GURLS group.

—Laura Gawrich is a journalism major at Marquette U. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she also serves as a R.A. in her residence hall and as a member of her IVCF leadership team. Her favorite hobby is cooking for friends and family.