In the fall of my freshman year, I felt God calling me to join a sorority. This was something I had never before considered because I had always perceived sororities as organizations that were held together by superficial bonds and false security. But when I began rushing, I met many girls whom I liked and admired. As I got to know them, I realized that we all wanted the same thing: to build close, lasting, familial relationships with others. I saw how the sorority tried to build lasting relationships according to the ways of the world, rather than on the ways of God. The big question I faced was “What can I do to help re-direct these relationships so they are Christ-centered rather than self-centered?” And the Lord called me to this purpose within the sorority. So I rushed and was one of the last girls to be selected.

When I joined the sorority, a few of my older sisters were active Christians. They had been meeting weekly to pray and read an inspirational quote or story. This group paved the way for the ministry God gave me. The Lord gave me a vision and strength of spirit to be bold for Christ and invite others to seek and follow Him. I gave up being a small-group leader in the general I-V chapter so I could focus on ways to be more involved in my sorority. I began praying that God would raise up a core of women in my sorority who would become Christ-centered and would be motivated to lead others toward a personal relationship with him.

My InterVarsity staff worker, Leon Fillyaw, once told me that faith is spelled ‘r-i-s-k.’ I knew that God wanted me to take more risks in my sorority community. Yes, God had given me a heart of love and compassion for my sisters, but I knew it would be difficult and risky to express my faith. God opened up several doors that gave me the opportunity to be a witness for Christ.

In my second year, an interesting opportunity arose. When new members joined the sorority, they were required to meet individually with all the upperclassmen. When it was my turn to meet with the new recruits, I would pray with them. The first year I did this, it caught some of them off-guard or made them uncomfortable. I became known by some as “that girl who always prays.” By my last year of college, however, many of those who had criticized me were becoming interested in prayer themselves.

Another opportunity came when my values collided with a time-honored tradition. The sorority had an annual weekend retreat and big dance where it was expected that dates would get a hotel room together, but I felt very uncomfortable doing this. When I talked to some other girls about this, I found that they, too, were uncomfortable, but no one wanted to go against tradition. The next year, I invited other women to share a room together and also have their dates in a room together. Many responded with relieved agreement. Now there is no longer the expectation that all must participate in this event. Just because something is a tradition doesn’t mean it should be set in stone!

My most substantial ministry took place when I became the leader of our small-group Bible study. At times it was difficult and disheartening when none of the girls would give an hour of their 168-hour week to Bible study. Still, I persevered. The Lord gave me hope as I remembered his promise in Isaiah 55:10–11 that his Word will never return empty, but will accomplish God’s purposes. Eventually I saw that the women who came grew in their relationship with the Lord through the study of Scripture. Many sisters who had never studied the Bible began seeking God’s Word for advice and guidance rather than seeking advice from ungodly sources.

In my last year of college, God provided a sophomore named Eve to co-lead with me and take over leadership of the ministry when I graduated. Eve and I eagerly shared the vision and the boldness of spirit to carry it out. By the time I graduated last spring, I could see how our faithful witness to Jesus had changed the lives of many women in the sorority. Bible study attendance had quadrupled from three to twelve. God had raised up a core of women who were also becoming prayerful, effective witnesses. God’s work continues in the lives of my sorority sisters, and for that I rejoice!