New Student Outreach at Sac State: A Photo Essay

At the beginning of every school year across the country, freshmen and transfer students walk onto campus for the first time looking to try new things and meet new people. InterVarsity chapters are there to meet them, with several activities planned to invite them into community.​

We call this New Student Outreach.​

The InterVarsity chapter at California State University, Sacramento (or Sac State) planned two weeks of events to meet and welcome new students. Here's what it looked like.

No matter the campus, the backbone of New Student Outreach is tabling. Student leaders and InterVarsity staff set up shop in the middle of campus to talk with strangers about Jesus and InterVarsity community.​

The goal for the Sac State chapter was to meet as many people as possible. They stood outside every day for around four hours just to have good conversations.​

Many of the new students that showed up to later events, and consequently joined the chapter, first connected with someone at this table.

Items found in an InterVarsity staff's wagon:​

Shade in the form of a pop-up shelter​

A table, along with an InterVarsity tablecloth to show our brand ​

At least two water bottles, duct tape, string, stickers, pens, snacks, and more​

Signs that ask compelling questions to start conversations about God

Ashlyn, pictured below, said, ​

“When we have these kinds of welcoming conversations, it brings people in and makes people curious, whether or not they're Christian or even looking for a community to be a part of. Just talking to people and learning about people is what motivates me the most.”

What the Sac State chapter did while tabling: ​

Prayed each day before starting​

Made sure to get students' contact information to follow up with them and invite them to more events​

Kept in mind the ways new students were hungry for connection, boldly talking to them to meet that need 

While tabling is essential during any New Student Outreach, not everyone has time for deep conversations as they head to class. ​

Because of this, the Sac State InterVarsity student leadership team planned seven events where they could develop friendships and talk more with the people they met. ​

Whether it was through a BBQ at a dorm or a watermelon eating contest, tabling was just the beginning of the welcome new students would receive. 

Right in the middle of their two weeks of New Student Outreach, the student leaders at Sac State prayer walked the campus. ​

They stopped by locations of future events and Bible studies so they could pray for the students they met the previous week. They also prayed for those they'd meet in the week to come. As they prayed, they asked God where he was at work so they could join in what he was doing.

The next week, the chapter hosted Ultimate Cabbage. ​

“Want to come to Ultimate Cabbage?” students asked at the table.​

“What’s that?” a student responded.​

“Picture ultimate frisbee, but with a cabbage instead. Want to come?” ​

(Yeah. It's as fun and chaotic as it sounds.)

Another event planned was a progressive dinner: three courses hosted at three different homes. ​

Then, unplanned, spontaneous worship happened after dessert.

Claire, playing guitar in the pictured below, said, ​

“Who am I that God wants to speak to people through me in the same way that he used others to do so to me? It’s so cool that we're like vessels that God uses to spread his joy and to be the expression of God’s kindness.”

Each week ended with a large group gathering, including games, musical worship, and getting to know each other.​

(And the student leaders prayed before starting that event too.)

Josh, pictured in the middle below, said, ​

“We’re taught to love everybody, and that means everybody. It’s to get people who are newer more time with the people who are already involved in the community. It’s really important to have new people because God’s kingdom is ever expanding.”

Instead of a traditional large group sermon or talk, InterVarsity staff minister Abbey introduced manuscript Bible study to everyone. Students were split into groups to engage with Scripture on printed out passages. ​​

Afterwards, Abbey explained that InterVarsity small groups used this same technique to study the Bible every week. It was a great teaser and perfect invitation for students to go deeper in community and explore faith by joining a small group. 

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And what better way to show how the community celebrates its members than by celebrating a birthday at the end of large group? The leaders brought out a cake, encouraged everyone to sing, and had the student blow out candles. 

After two weeks of New Student Outreach, over 50% of the Sac State chapter are new faces. ​

This is just the beginning of a year of making lifelong, transformative connections.