InterVarsity chapters at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and Rock Valley College in Rockford hosted Sujo John, a survivor of the 9/11 tragedy at the World Trade Center, on October 27 and 28.
Sujo worked on the 81st floor of the North Tower, and his five-month pregnant wife worked in the South Tower. He shared a story laced with themes of hope, finding peace with God, and not knowing what a particular day could have in store for us. It was especially interesting to hear how a man of faith found God at work in the midst of panic and death on 9/11. Sujo wove his testimony of faith, growing up in Calcutta India, together with the 9/11 events.
At NIU, 600 students crowded into an auditorium that holds 495. Normally 100 students attend weekly large group meetings at NIU. Since RVC is a community college, the local church community was invited. In the afternoon, a group of 60-70 students and faculty came to hear Sujo where normally 20 students attend. Then, in the evening, another 40-50 people came from the community and the college.
Sujo invited his listeners to make peace with God, to make peace with family and friends, and to begin to follow Jesus. He asked, “Do you know where you are going after you die?” (the title of his book). At the end of his presentation, 97 students at Northern Illinois University and 10 students at Rock Valley College prayed with Sujo to accept Christ. About half of those numbers at each campus expressed an interest in renewing their relationship with God. A number of students are also interested in GIGs (Groups Investigating God).
Besides the usual publicity of chalking sidewalks, posting fliers, and inviting friends, we also began evangelism training in anticipation of Sujo’s coming. At Northern Illinois University, I met with ten students on a weekly basis for training in how to begin spiritual conversations, leading a GIG, understanding basic apologetics, presenting the Gospel with a clear invitation to receive Christ, and doing the Six Styles of Evangelism. Many students chose to fast in preparation for the event. We also saw our morning daily prayer meeting attendance shoot up from six students to 15 students. So the lives changed by this visit also included students at both campuses who were unified and excited to pray and share their faith.
At both campuses, professors reportedly offered extra credit for students who attended our outreach and wrote a paper on what they saw. We made an effort to be open about this being a “religious” event. The theme for Sujo’s visit was clearly stated in school newspaper interviews, at an evangelism table outside the auditorium, and in all publicity. Everything stated that this event was hosted by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I didn’t want students to come who felt like they were tricked with some sort of bait and switch tactic. As a result, we received balanced and somewhat positive press from the NIU school newspaper, Northern Star, and an improved reputation for IV on campus.
Casey Beckley is the InterVarsity staff worker in upstate Illinois. More information about Sujo John may be found at www.sujojohn.com. Plus, Mission Network News also has a report on this event. InterVarsity believes the university is a strategic mission field for the transformation of society.
