When the command was given by Jesus to go to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, he said to go to our public universities and community colleges. A public campus contains an incredible diversity of ethnicity, religion, race, language, and thought. What an opportunity! Why then, is the visible presence of the Adventist church so scarce on public campuses?
In the Upper Columbia Conference, we are trying to follow this gospel command. The campuses of the University of Idaho (UI) and Washington State University (WSU) have come under siege, through Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) spreading the Gospel.
ACF at the UI and WSU campuses has one goal: to show to our collegiate peers that being a committed, Bible-believing Christian can be practical, fun, productive, and rewarding. Some of the activities and functions ACF sponsored during the Fall semester included:
• Weekly Friday night Bible studies, called Thank God It’s Friday, where students can enjoy a nutritious meal and fellowship.
• Weekly cell groups where students and their friends join church members in Bible study groups.
• Sports fellowship of weekly basketball and monthly volleyball games.
• Sabbath afternoon outreach—singing at local nursing homes, and retirement centers, and showing God’s love in real ways through service evangelism.
• UI health fair booth where more than 1,100 non-alcoholic drinks were shared with students, faculty, staff, and community members. Through this event we were able to share our health message.
• Promoting ACF at the WSU and UI student involvement fairs.
• Students leading out in the worship services at the Pullman and Troy Adventist churches.
• Outdoor activities like backpacking, hiking, and river rafting.
• Cutting two cords of wood for a family in need.
• Strong arms and backs provided moving assistance for a new family moving to Moscow.
• Fundraising, in the form of 12 cords of wood—cut, split, and hauled by students.
• Endless Praise concert, an Adventist music group from Australia, co-sponsored by the Moscow Church.
• Assistance with playground equipment assembly for Palouse Hills Adventist School.
The list could go on. We are attempting to be a visible presence in the community, on the campuses, and in our churches, as public university students who want to make a difference, individuals who care about their environments, and Christians who love God. •
