Christian students find faith, friends

Thursday evenings are big nights on campus. \nAt about 8 p.m. every Thursday, students pack into Woodburn 100 for a huge party. Bands and loud music blare through the doors as friends catch up on the week's events since last Thursday. All the while, regulars greet first-timers and welcome them to the main event. \nTo loosen up the atmosphere a joke and some skits kick things off -- and the night continues with life stories and worship.\nAt a public University, the response from students concerning opportunities to express their faith is very strong. It's not hard to find a Bible study to join and become active in on campus.\nCampus Crusade for Christ, one of the many campus Bible study organizations, serves as a getaway for Christian students during the week. Guests are brought in each week to give a "life lesson," and students share their stories with the entire group.\n"It is a safe place to be very personal," said sophomore Kat Woerner. \nSongs and reflection follow the testimonies, and many students continue the fellowship after the meeting. \n"It's really nice to have a group of people that I see at Crusade and feel comfortable sharing my faith with them," Woerner said, "It makes the University a little bit smaller." \nSmaller Crusade Bible studies, known as Alpha groups, are held weekly in residence halls. Mainly for freshmen, they also include specific meetings for men and women.\nIn addition to attending Crusade, Woerner also goes to Greek Intervarsity (IV), held on Thursday nights. A Bible study for greeks, Greek IV is held in Geology 126 at 7 p.m. every Thursday. Led by students, the setup is similar to Campus Crusade, with speakers followed by worship. \n"The greek system gets a bad rap sometimes, but what people don't realize is that it is OK to be greek and outwardly religious," Woerner said.\nSam Schein, Greek IV's House Ministry Coordinator, said being involved with Greek IV and her chapter Bible study keeps her focused on what is really important. \n"My personal relationship with Christ has grown so much, and being with other girls who place importance on the same things I do is so rewarding," Schein said. \nSchein is in charge of the sorority Bible studies and makes sure each group has the materials needed. Many sorority and fraternity Bible studies use books to structure their meetings. Chapters often combine Bible studies to create even more of a community within the greek system.\nGreek Bible studies regularly change leaders when students graduate, as Ben Wehner has recently taken over the leadership role for his chapter's study. Wehner said he has not had difficulty conducting the studies and many men are supportive of the study. The Bible studies he attends serve as breaks from all of his everyday distractions. \n"It's important for these guys to understand that there is a different life out there that is much more fulfilling to live than what they are doing now," Wehner said.\n-- Contact staff writer Kate Romer at kromer@indiana.edu.