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“Two mochas, please; we’ll wait over here by the space heater.” With that order, Jason Reickewald, the I-V chapter’s evangelism coordinator, sprang into action. Nearby, a small group sat on some couches and talked about the meaning of Jesus’ death. These were just two of the many interactions overheard at The Lounge, a post–large-group event pioneered two years ago at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo by the InterVarsity chapter there.

The vision for The Lounge originated with the chapter’s leadership team. They saw a need for a place with a relaxed atmosphere where people could process together the talk from the large-group meeting. That night, a local pastor spoke about Jesus’ death on the cross in Matthew 27:26–56. It was very moving and meaningful. After the chapter meeting, everyone adjourned to the breezeway in front of the meeting room on campus. It was now The Lounge, a special area re-designed for this unique evening.

The Lounge consisted of 16 couches, many yards of carpet, 63 cups of hot chocolate, 45 cups of coffee, 25 teas, 20 espresso based drinks, countless baked goods, lounge music on a CD, two rented heaters and a dozen or more strands of Christmas lights in the breezeway. Also involved in the set up were a U–Haul, several trucks and some excited, willing workers.

The Lounge turned out to be well worth the effort. Though the speaker was finished at 9:10 p.m., there were 200 or so still around at 11 p.m. “Students were encouraged to hang out and talk about the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross,” reports staff worker Rob Dixon. “Whole small groups crammed onto couches for fellowship together. We also set up a prayer room, and trained students were available to pray with those who wanted to respond in that way.”