Hanging At OSU

Chuck on May 17th, 2010

Today I decided to come down to Oregon State University to work.  I’ve never been here before.  Odd, I know, being that I live in Oregon.  But, I live about 90 minutes away and there are over 100k students on campus within 20 minutes of where I live.  In other words, I’ve had plenty of other campuses to visit.  Anyway…

I came here today to just check it out and get some work done from a coffee shop around campus.  I love hanging out around campuses, especially when I’m writing.  But, as usual, I met some people.  It’s amazing what can happen if you just hang out around campus.  I wasn’t here for much more than an hour when I met Isaiah and Amy.  They work at a coffee shop called, “The Beanery.”  Conversation moved from coffee, to their lives, to Isaiah heading off on Friday to Thailand to work with children caught in slavery.  Long story short, before I knew it I had met 6 different students and listened to their story of what God is doing through them here on this campus.  They even took me upstairs to their “upper room” where they rent an apartment to set aside for prayer.  The picture on the left is their prayer request and answer wall.

From what I understand the rent for this apartment is funded solely by student donations.  So cool.

It was fun to meet them, hear their story, and to pray for them and be prayed for by them.  Great, and encouraging time.

I guess my point is this: Not frequently hanging out around college campuses only causes you to miss out on so many things.  Don’t miss it.  Get out, frequently and consistently, to campus.  Pray for God to bring up fruitful conversation.  We don’t need to force it – I never do.  But it’s amazing what happens when we pray……

Related posts:

  1. Leadership Thru Prayer
  2. Patriarchal Prayer
  3. Update on Steve
  4. Day in Atlanta
  5. College Annuals

Share Discuss (2)

Amy at 3:13pm May 19

Thanks for posting this. You were totally encouraging too.

Brandon at 8:11am May 24

Chuck,
This is such an awesome story! I am so very new to learning about college ministry but I want to be more involved on our campuses here in Jacksonville, FL. Can you give me some tips on how to go about getting on campus. Can I just walk in and have a seat in a campus coffee shop? Or do I have to get permission to do that. I know this probably sounds a bit “duh!” Just trying to broaden my reach of influence. Thanks man.