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CAMPUS

Christian Fellowship offers guidance to NU students

By Aaron Ward
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

The Christian Fellowship has been involved in helping students deal with many aspects of student life at Norwich since 1985 and has been described as a community of people who are seeking truth, according to a member of the staff.

Christian Fellowship is part of a larger worldwide organization called Intervarsity, which was established 51 years ago and is part of IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students).

IFES is a worldwide organization which sends students to other countries to provide Biblical models of leadership and of ministry, and, wherever possible, encourages students themselves to take leadership responsibility on campuses around the world.

“Our goal is not to convert, like many people may believe, but rather to help people answer questions in life like, ‘Who am I?’ ‘How did I get here?’ ‘What is my purpose?’” said Ralph Indorf, the group’s mentor.

“Modern Christianity has that mentality of 'we want to convert you', but we are trying to get away from that,” said Brian Harr, 20, a communications major from Springfield, Mass.

Each Thursday, the group focuses on a topic, which is picked Tuesday nights when “A small group called discipleship meets and talks about what they want to know, and that is where a lot of the stuff we talk about in the meetings comes from, but it is all the topics are chosen by the kids, and that is important,” Indorf said.

“The Thursday meeting is centered around a topic where we investigate God through movie clips, scripture, and small groups, and we get together and make a presentation about the Gospel,” Harr said.

“It’s a place where students and faculty can get together and look into different scriptures about the word of God and how he shapes each and every one of our lives,” said Christopher Davidson, 19, a mechanical engineering major from Westwood, Mass.

The group has about 30 members this year.

“There are a lot of corps (members) involved, which has been the case as in years past,” Harr said. “But this year, there are more civilian students participating than in any other year I have been here, and that’s a good thing.”

“The community is open to everyone,” Indorf said. "We meet Thursday nights at 5 p.m., most of the time in Cabot 085."

Twice a year, the fellowship participates in retreats, one in the fall and one in the winter. The fall retreat takes place in Saranac, N.Y.; the winter one in Burlington, Vt.

“Our organization sends around 10 members to each of the retreats,” Harr said. “The cost for a retreat is about $90, which is paid for by the individual going. But if they can’t afford it, the fellowship will pay for you.”

Each May, the fellowships in the New England area come together in New Hampshire.

About 300 members from all over New England get together and talk about what is coming in the future year. “It is mostly for future leaders in the fellowship, but it is open to all,” Harr said.

Every three years, there is a national gathering held at the University of Illinois in Chicago. It’s held during Christmas break and is a week long. It is focused around a central topic. “Last year, about 10,000 people went to the national retreat,” Harr said.

“I have been to all three retreats, and they are life-altering experiences,” Harr said. “I think they are essential for us to cultivate relationships, and get to know each other outside of Norwich.”

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr, Northfield, VT 05663. www.norwich.edu/guidon.