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However, if there were just one word that could sum up the entire week, it would have been “unity.” Not just unity within the multi-ethnic chapter, but unity all around. After many meetings and much deliberation, the three undergraduate chapters (the multi-ethnic chapter, Chinese Christian Fellowship, and Greek InterVarsity) signed a statement uniting the three chapters as a part of InterVarsity. It was a special moment to watch Christians showing their unity and love in action toward one another.

Fall 1999 was not without its share of challenges however. Many seniors who had contributed greatly had graduated. Also, there was a minor shortage of Bible study leaders. Nevertheless, God provided as always, filling in the voids that were most pressing.

As a Bible study leader for one of the dorms, one challenge I faced was how to minister to the incoming freshman and how to encourage them to commit to the InterVarsity Bible study. It was helpful to remember, knowing that there were other Christian groups on campus ministering in the same dorm, that this was not a competition, but rather that there were other brothers and sisters fighting for the same cause as we were: bringing people to Christ. The best comfort, though, was that the Lord is in charge and taking care of things. After much prayer, our frustration turned to promise and encouragement. The small-group community was beginning to come together as the Christmas vacation came. It was a wonderful testimony to the Lord as the Father, the constant provider.

As the new century starts and the new semester starts here at the University of Michigan, there is much to be thankful for and there is much to pray for. On January 28, Hodgepodge took place. Hodgepodge is InterVarsity’s annual outreach variety show where Christian students present skits, play music and share testimonies. Most important, U. of Michigan students can hear the gospel. Preparations for a spring break mission trip to Jamaica are in full swing. And some students will have the opportunity to attend Alternative Spring Break, an organization which sends students of both Christian and non-Christian backgrounds to various parts of the country, ministering to the needy, the poor and the hungry.

Join us in prayer for our continued unity, our passion for prayer and evangelism, follow-up to Hodgepodge 2000 and our upcoming spring break trip. There are exciting things happening on campus here at the University of Michigan, and the future holds so many possibilities because “nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).