Community and Relationships

We all want and need close friends. But how do we find them?

Countless times, Jesus’ words have helped me keep my friendships from falling apart and allowed me to let loose unnecessary, emotional weight by pursuing conflict resolution.

The pandemic only amplified life’s normal unpredictability, pushing some of us beyond our comfort zones. So how do we face the surprises — the good and the bad — in a positive way?

But through all my experiences of leading communities—of students, fellow church congregants, coworkers, and more—I’ve seen how transformative and essential good community can be.

Similar to many other InterVarsity chapters this past year, InterVarsity at UW–Madison adapted to meet the most critical needs of today’s students—focusing on topics like self-care and mental health during a time that has left many students feeling isolated.

I’ve begun to see how fundamental hospitality is within God’s DNA. And since we’re God’s kids, called to follow his example (Eph 5:1), I see how hospitality needs to be a high priority—whether that’s how we approach freshmen on campus, the new person at work, or visitors to our congregations or small groups, just like Scripture says in Hebrews 13:2

These are tiny little beauties that, when added up, create the culture of campus that I missed so much. Campus life is back, and with that, so is in-person ministry.

Saying goodbye to summer can be difficult. Here's how we can do it and have hope for the fall. 

The Class of 2021 is longing for summer after a long, lonely winter. We yearn to unify ourselves around a common goal. We pant for revival, to patch the lonely holes in our own hearts with real connection.

I am keenly aware that our bodies have absorbed a gauntlet of grief throughout this traumatic year. And some of us, for the first time since March 2020, are stepping onto campuses that have been closed for over a year. How then, when we are committed to seeing God’s kingdom come on campus, do we enter NSO well?