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Students out to change the world
By Tanner Froese
J-Lab Staff Writer
Enjoy playing soccer? Enthralled with mixed martial arts? Love watching movies? Christians who enjoy these types of activities with the focus of sharing the gospel with others may want to look at the Change the World Campaign.
Change the World Campaign is a new ministry that was started last semester by students, Jesse Hayes and Colin Box and the pastor of credo, Doug Murphy.
The goal of the campaign is to provide an environment where living a life of love is encouraged, where people who do not yet know Christ become disciples, and where the casual Christians can become passionate followers of their Savior, all the while doing this in the context of friendship and fun.
“It is important as Christians that we have purpose in our daily walk. The campaign is an attempt to desegregate our spiritual lives with our everyday lives. We are seeking to include Christ in everything we do,” Hayes said. “This is not about a program. It’s about a lifestyle of worship.”
An integral part of this lifestyle includes witnessing to non-believers.
The campaign’s focus is to be a relational ministry where Christians can form real friendships with people who do not know Jesus through the sharing of common interests.
One of the main aspects of the campaign is “affinity groups.” Derived from the term “affinity,” which stands for “an attraction to or liking for something,” affinity groups are designed to bring Christians and non-believers together for a time of fun interaction.
“The unique thing about Change the World Campaign is it is about people using their current affinities to attract other people,” Murphy said. “It is really about just doing life together with others, while keeping Jesus Christ at the center of the activity.”
For example, some Christians discover they have a common interest in ultimate Frisbee. They would then form an ultimate Frisbee affinity group. Invitations would be sent to nonbelievers who also enjoy playing Frisbee. This group and the invited would meet on an agreed day and play ultimate Frisbee. After they are done playing, the affinity group would head out to a restaurant or somewhere to simply hang OUT.
It is during this time of friendship building and interaction through activities that the love of Christ can be shared.
“Affinity groups are intended to draw people together based upon their current passions,” Box said. “Hopefully, it will be where non-believers will feel the love of the church without having to step inside a sanctuary.”
Committed to witnessing and starting relationships with others, Change the World Campaign is seeking to reach out to a hurting world by finding common ground.
“The idea is not to intimidate or preach,” Hayes said, “but to befriend and love them so they will experience the firsthand love of Jesus through those who have already experienced His grace.”
Those interested in being in or leading an affinity group may contact Cassandra Dickson at cassandradickson@corban.edu or join the Facebook group: “Change the World Campaign.”
