Students 'crusade' on campus

The air was charged with excitement as students streamed through the large double doors to join the couple hundred people already present in the dark room. The band jammed up front. People sang along, swaying and dancing to the music. Some talked and laughed with those around them. \nNo, this is not the Bluebird on Saturday night. It's not a frat party. The scene is from the Thursday night Campus Crusade for Christ meeting.\nWith their membership numbering around 400 at any given time, Campus Crusade for Christ is one of the largest student groups active at IU. Their membership has grown significantly over the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down.\nNicknamed "Crusade" by members, the organization coordinates several campus activities such as Bible studies, retreats, an alternative spring break trip to Panama City, Fla., and a summer program where students work at resorts all over the country while sharing their Christian faith. But what "Crusade" is possibly best known for is their weekly Thursday night meetings which combine prayer, worship, music, speakers and socializing. \nLess than two years ago, the weekly Campus Crusade for Christ meeting was held in various classrooms around campus. This year, the weekly meetings routinely fill Woodburn Room 100, which holds about 400 students and is one of the largest rooms on campus. \nThe organization is an interdenominational Christian ministry whose goal is, according to their Web site, to "help Christians grow in their faith and share the Gospel message with their fellow countrymen." One of the most well-known parts of their ministry is their activity on campuses nationwide. The Web site said there are currently 44,000 students involved in their ministry and services and 1,700 full time campus staff. \nAt IU, Campus Crusade employs six full time staff members, including Campus Director Jeff Chudy who has been in his position for 20 years. \n"This semester we have turned things over in a more official way to the students, and the quality of students in leadership positions has brought more people to the ministry," Chudy said.\nJunior Dave Fladung is one of those student leaders. He heads a weekly Bible study and the seven-member worship band, which plays at the weekly meeting. He, along with Chudy, said he believes the growth is directly related to prayer. \n"We've been praying a lot more, and God has responded to that," Chudy said. "When I look back at my 20 years here, where there has been significant growth, students have been praying."\nSophomore Paul Watkins said he has attended several of the Thursday night meetings. \n"I first heard about it by reading stuff about it on the sidewalk really. I just thought it was another one of those groups where people pressure you into doing this and doing that," he said. \nHe said he was convinced by his girlfriend to try it out and found it to be a positive experience. He said he believes there are a number of reasons for the growth. \n"More people might go now because of the current world situation, but for the most part I would say it is probably still the people that are looking for something more in their life," he said. \nFladung said he believes the organization might have appeal because the purpose isn't focused on them. \n"We really want to try and give something to the students that we strongly believe in with all our heart," Fladung said. \nJames Hart, professor emeritus in the religious studies department, said he isn't familiar with Campus Crusade specifically, but cites the current political environment in the United States as another possible reason for growth. \n"The right wing section of the Republican party has given conservative Christians a voice and power that they haven't had since Reagan," Hart said. \nHe said he thought the growth in numbers might reflect the success of the movement in the political arena.\nSeveral different factors have caused Crusade to grow into a powerful presence on campus, and they continue to look for ways to include even more students.\n"I want Crusade to be something people know about IU, for us to continue growing in number and be a positive influence," Fladung said.