This year, Walla Walla University is seeing a student-led resurgence in its small-group program.
Andrea Keele, WWU associate chaplain for missions, said, "[Small groups are] a place where students can get to know each other more casually. [Spiritual growth] happens in relationship, and that happens through regular time coming together.”
Small groups on campus are centered around student leadership. Any student enrolled at the university can start one of these groups by filling out a short questionnaire on the university’s website. Groups that meet certain requirements can earn worship credits.
There are six categories a student can choose from when creating a small group: music, support group, recreational — such as hiking or board games — Bible study, prayer group and other, meaning the possibilities are nearly limitless.
The resurgence of small groups began with the help of Ellie Harris and Makena VonBergen, small group coordinators. Keele said the combination of VonBergen’s small group experience from Southern Adventist University and Harris’ understanding of WWU culture makes them a powerful team.
Keele added, "It’s been going really well. Harris and VonBergen have been getting the word out … and it seems like people were ready for it.”
In addition to helping students form friendships, small groups also help students feel more connected on a busy campus. With a large student body and full schedules, it can be easy for students to feel overlooked without intentional community.
“When you’re on a campus with a lot of students, it can be really easy to get lost,” Keele said. She added that small groups provide a purposeful way for students to create healthy community outside of larger campus events.
While large gatherings like vespers remain an important part of campus worship life, Keele noted that small groups offer a different environment. Through smaller settings and regular interaction, students are able to feel seen, known and supported.
One student Keele spoke with found that small groups were also a valuable way to connect with students of different majors and class standings. The student shared, “In our classes, we’re grouped together by certain ages, but [small groups] is something that really can bring different majors together.”
