“In response to God’s love, grace and truth, the purpose of InterVarsity’s Red Cedar Chapter is to develop disciples who establish and advance witnessing communities that actively engage the campus with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, pray for the advancement of God’s Kingdom, and love people of every ethnicity and culture.” InterVarsity Christian Fellowship originated in 1877 at the University of Cambridge as a group of students who gathered to pray, study the Bible, and witness. The InterVarsity movement spread across England, then to Canada, then to the United States, where in 1941 one of the first three chapters was established at Michigan State University. In the decades since, InterVarsity has spread to 560 colleges and universities where 35,000 students are involved in ministry. Through much growth and many changes, InterVarsity and we of the Red Cedar chapter continue to strive to remain true to the priorities of the original students and Cambridge: love for God, God’s Word, and God’s people. Through our meetings, our activities, and our community, we seek to make Jesus known to the MSU community. What the Red Cedar Chapter Does Large Group is our main weekly meeting and is a hospitable venue for worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship that calls both Christians and non-Christians to make Jesus the Lord of their lives. Large Group meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in 101 North Kedzie. Small Groups are communities targeted to each of the residential areas of campus that provide excellent Bible study and pray and care for non-Christian friends, the university, the world, and each other. Small groups meet weekly at various times and locations across campus. Evangelism is our responsibility and privilege as Christians. We seek to help our fellow students know Jesus by being a welcoming community where they can experience His love and by sponsoring events that help them understand the Gospel. Discipleship and leadership training take place through mentoring relationships, training conferences, and experience serving others. Students meet regularly with a staff member or older student for spiritual encouragement. Conferences are held with students from other schools to discuss issues facing Christian students. All students have opportunities to use their gifts to minister to the chapter. Concerted prayer is the basis for all areas of our ministry. As we pray together, we are unified in love for God and His purposes for our campus. In our chapter, students meet in prayer groups weekly. Also, prayer times are built into each of our small groups and large group meetings. Chapter Leadership Student leadership is at the center of InterVarsity’s philosophy of campus ministry. We believe that college students can communicate the Gospel message to other college students more effectively than anyone else. Also, we see value in preparing students for lifelong service in the Church. Experienced staff partner with students in ministry. Staff help plan chapter activities, mentor students, and lead training events and conferences. A team of students, called “the exec,” leads the chapter by developing a vision, overseeing activities, and striving to influence others by example to live with Christ as Lord. Everyone who is a member of our chapter, being gifted by the Holy Spirit for ministry, has a responsibility to lead in some way. There are many opportunities to serve God through InterVarsity. Talk to an exec person in you would like to be more involved! 2006 Exec: Laura Bauson, Ira Bosscher, Elliot Nelson, Matt Rogers (Staff), Krista Griffin (Staff) National Organization Incorporated in 1941, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA now has 35,000 students active on 560 campuses in the United States and supported by 1,000 staff. The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students is a federation of Christian student movements from 143 countries, and InterVarsity is the United States’ member. Member organizations support each other through prayer, financial giving, and missions projects. Quality training opportunities are a key part of InterVarsity’s support of local chapters. The Red Cedar chapter often visits Cedar Campus, InterVarsity’s training center in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, for retreats. InterVarsity’s triennial Urbana student missions convention is one of the world’s largest events devoted to helping students become a part of God’s call to share the Gospel with all people. InterVarsity Press provides students with books and other resources to study God more deeply. Often students keep their academic and spiritual lives separate. God created us as intellectual beings, and He is glorified when we use our minds to understand Him better. InterVarsity strongly encourages serious study of God. Doctrinal Statement We believe in: The only true God, the almighty Creator of all things, existing eternally in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—full of love and glory. The unique divine inspiration, entire trustworthiness, and authority of the Bible. The value and dignity of all people: created in God’s image to live in love and holiness, but alienated from God and each other because of our sin and guilt, and justly subject to God’s wrath. Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine, who lived as a perfect example, who assumed the judgment due sinners by dying in our place, and who was bodily raised from the dead and ascended as Savior and Lord. Justification by God’s grace to all who repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The indwelling presence and transforming power of the Holy Spirit, who gives to all believers a new life and a new calling to obedient service. The unity of all believers in Jesus Christ, manifest in worshipping and witnessing churches making disciples throughout the world. The victorious reign and future personal return of Jesus Christ, who will judge all people with justice and mercy, giving over the unrepentant to eternal condemnation, but receiving the redeemed into eternal life. To God be glory forever!