House of faith stands strong

A house once filled with fraternity guys and endless parties now stands as an establishment of faith for some students on campus. This is the first operating year for the Christian Student Fellowship on the North Jordan extension, which used to house the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. \nEighty-plus students, ranging from freshmen to graduate students, call the CSF house home. CSF house Director Ritchie Hoffman said a larger place was in great demand from students on campus.\n"This was completely demand-driven by the students," Hoffman said. "It was driven by their desire. Now it's moving, and it's happening."\nHoffman said the State Board also agreed with the idea. The Board said the CSF had something valuable to contribute to the community. So CSF sold the four houses they were living in at the time and worked out a deal with the fraternity to buy the house. Eighty five to 90 statewide churches contribute money to the house in addition to numerous individuals.\nCampus Minister Bill Kershner said every day life in the CSF house is not too much unlike the every day life of anyone else on campus. \n"It's the typical college life," Kershner said. "The students go to class, meals, sports, work, just like everyone else."\nThere are also many programs available for students at the CSF house on a daily and weekly basis. There are daily Bible studies, which include topics such as, "What to do until love finds you," "Fruits of the spirit," "Jesus: The Basics" or "Making Life Work."\nFreshman Laura Brassard moved into the CSF house three weeks ago and loves the opportunities that are available so readily at the house. She said there are mission trips and Bible studies among other activities that are easy for students to get involved in. Mission trips take place over breaks and past destinations have included Arizona, Mexico, St. Louis, Washington D.C. and Indianapolis.\nBrassard had to apply and undergo an interview process to be able to get into the house.\n"The ministers were very kind and helpful," Brassard said. "They gave me a tour and made me feel really at ease during my interview." \nBrassard explains that this process is so the staff can know if living in the CSF house is really what the student wants. She was asked about where she was in her walk with God and what she expected to get from living there.\n"I've only been there three weeks, but it is a great place to be around people who encourage you in your faith and relationship with God," Brassard said.\nHoffman said he feels the same way and the environment is an uplifting one.\n"In this place, students can stimulate and spur one another on with common values and a common focal point," Hoffman said.\nSome students might think a house designated specifically for Christians to live in might make them appear elitist or cut them off from the rest of campus. But Kershner disagrees.\n"This house isn't to make us look any different or better than anyone else," Kershner said. "In fact, our main objective is to get out there on campus and share with others our relationship with Christ. We want to build on that and befriend others in this community and the community at large."\nAlthough Christians live in the house, anyone on campus is welcome to activities and events planned in the house. \n"We don't want this to just be a shelter and a house," Hoffman said. "We ultimately want to offer something of value to the community."\nInformation can be found on their Web site at www.iub.edu/~csf/home.php4 or you can e-mail them at csf@indiana.edu or call the house at 332-8972.