A Tale of Two Colleges

Dartmouth University

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure and privilege of participating in a couple of campus visits with my co-worker, Jeremy Story. We went to Dartmouth College in Hanover, and the following week, we visited Cornell University in Ithaca. I loved being able to see put into practice part of the vision of Campus Renewal - partnership in prayer. Though both Ivy Leagues, they each were very distinct, very different in the their own way.

Dartmouth University, and Hanover, was very beautiful. Jeremy described it to me as walking into a Norman Rockwell painting. When we got there, I found that he was not exaggerating. The campus was very peaceful, a sense of time outside itself, and seemingly idyllic. We met with campus ministers in their fusion group, and then with a few ministers and other leaders afterwards. The group was small, but in earnest. In talking with some of the leaders afterwards, we found a wonderful heart for unity but many obstacles. It was a good time for encouragement for them, and a glimpse for me to see how fusion groups work outside of the University of Texas and NYC.

Ithaca was gorges. I finally understood that phrase, seen on t-shirts and bumper stickers up here in the Northeast. Ithaca is filled with all these gorges, waterfalls, and the like that are simply breathtaking. Aside from the wonderful natural beauty of the place, their fusion group was simply amazing. It was a perfect, almost textbook example of what I envisioned a fusion group should be. It was very large, with many collegiate groups represented, and not only was their prayer united, but I saw evidence of cross-organization collaboration and an incredible amount of encouragement. It certainly blessed me in a huge way.

Sometimes, just getting out of my environment and seeing how God is moving is other places is just the thing needed to keep going with the plans and purposes in the place God has me now. What  great experience!