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To see students and faculty transformed.
Jeremy Hamilton - South Dakota Director ( NSU / MTC ) Rick Demarest - SDM / WDT John Florey - SDSU / The Mark Drama Chris Owusu - USF Caleb Leppert - SDM Rachael Timperley - SDSU (not pictured) |
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The pandemic in 2020 changed everyone’s way of life. For InterVarsity at SDSU it meant that we couldn’t gather in any compacity on campus. Many outreach events were attempted online with no success whatsoever. But, in a season of ministry when we should have just fizzled away, the Lord brought growth to our chapter. Although we didn’t see any freshmen join our chapter in the fall of 2020, we saw a significant growth in numbers of sophomore students get involved.
The pandemic stirred a deep hunger for hope in the hearts of SDSU students, and many found that hunger for hope satisfied through diving into scripture! Fast-forward to today, we just graduated the largest senior class that InterVarsity at SDSU has seen in over 10 years. These new alumni are entering into several different career fields equipped to be spiritual world changers! For me as their staff worker and friend, it is very bittersweet that their time at SDSU has come to an end but I know they will take with them all that they have learned and experienced through the ministry of InterVarsity. - John Florey
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This spring three first year students took over leading worship from a graduating senior. Over the last several months they grew in leading as a team, they built friendships with each other, and they began to enjoy leading worship. When they showed up in matching South Dakota Mines Hawaiian shirts, I knew they had bonded and truly become a team. I’m excited to continue to watch their passion for music and their joy for praising God flourish next year.
- Caleb Leppert
40 Years! I find it hard to believe that it has been 40 years since my start with InterVarsity, 36 of those years have been at South Dakota Mines. As I reflect on these years, I find myself primarily remembering students (or trying to remember). It has been a joy and privilege to work with so many great student leaders. In addition to students, I am grateful for IVCF colleagues, ministry partners, Faculty and staff and family who have prayed, given, and encouraged me along the way. Recently a celebration of my 40 years flooded me with this gratitude. I thank God for all the people I have interacted with!
- Rick Demarest
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InterVarsity at Northern State University has a long history. In fact, it’s one of the oldest chapters in the Dakotas. It has also had more ups and downs than any other chapter in the state. In the past 2 years we have had a growing ministry to athletes, and we had a couple of very well attended events on campus. However, the chapter has been without a campus staff minister for a year, and we only have one returning student leader. It has felt like we’re losing momentum. I was thankful our leader, Savannah, decided to go to chapter camp. At a campfire the last evening she expressed to other South Dakota students and staff that God had done something in her that week. She describes it this way:
“Going back in the fall, I have a new found hope and faith that God can and will move on NSU’s campus. Whatever that looks like, I’m excited to be a part of His plan!” Please pray with us that a new generation of missional students will join Savannah this fall and that God would raise up a campus staff minister for NSU! - Jeremy Hamilton
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There is a deep longing in the hearts and minds of InterVarsity students at USF to see their campus transformed and healed. During this year the student leadership team noticed a consistent cycle of students struggling with mental health issues, particularly stress, and anxiety during the middle to end of a semester.
Self-worth, believing lies about themselves and who God is, demanding coursework, exams, high expectations, financial stress, and living expenses are a handful of challenges students experience during a semester. There are many more struggles and temptations that come and go in the personal parts of their lives. While some bypass these issues and label them as just the way college life should be or is. We choose to seek breakthrough from the Lord.
This year through all the struggles I heard and saw students go through, the Lord shared with me His desire to work in the lives of students at USF. I have seen and heard within small-group InterVarsity communities a noticeable hunger for more of God. Students are experiencing comfort, hope, and self-worth in supportive small group communities that encourage one another through the Word of God and lifestyle discipleship. There have been small pockets of curious students asking questions like “How do we grow in prayer on campus?” or “What would it look like if more of our campus prayed together more often?”.
Please partner with me and ask the Lord to deliver and heal students at USF.
Self-worth, believing lies about themselves and who God is, demanding coursework, exams, high expectations, financial stress, and living expenses are a handful of challenges students experience during a semester. There are many more struggles and temptations that come and go in the personal parts of their lives. While some bypass these issues and label them as just the way college life should be or is. We choose to seek breakthrough from the Lord.
This year through all the struggles I heard and saw students go through, the Lord shared with me His desire to work in the lives of students at USF. I have seen and heard within small-group InterVarsity communities a noticeable hunger for more of God. Students are experiencing comfort, hope, and self-worth in supportive small group communities that encourage one another through the Word of God and lifestyle discipleship. There have been small pockets of curious students asking questions like “How do we grow in prayer on campus?” or “What would it look like if more of our campus prayed together more often?”.
Please partner with me and ask the Lord to deliver and heal students at USF.
- Chris Owusu
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Ministry at 2-year Tech schools is something we care about. But when it comes to ministry on the ground, we feel like beginners much of the time. Campus life is different for these students. Living on campus is not an option and weekends are for jobs or helping at home. And having only two years with students challenges our tried and tested strategies. This summer I have the privilege of meeting with two Mitchel Technical College guys (one recently graduated and one returning in the fall) who live in my hometown. Their pastor has helped them take steps in getting a summer small group going with a group of their friends. The model he gave them for leading is much like ours. I have the chance to supplement their efforts with a little encouragement and coaching. And when fall comes I have a bright, faithful young man ready to partner with me in bringing a Gospel witness to Mitchell Tech.
- Jeremy Hamilton
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After the hard work of several people and years of presence, InterVarsity at Western Dakota Tech is officially recognized as a student organization! It has been a joy of mine to see 3-7 students gathering for fellowship and prayer the past 2 years. In the Spring semester, God also brought Megan, faculty at WDT, across my path. It was easy to see that Megan was serious about her faith and excited to be a part of helping students respond to Jesus. With Megan’s drive and 3 students stepping up to be leaders we were able to meet the expectations required to be a recognized club on campus. We have enjoyed a good relationship with the college so far and look forward to serving students at WDT. Please pray that we will be ready to connect with new students this Fall.
- Rick Demarest
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FOLLOW US
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