Story by LINCOLN MYERS Photos by MALEAH GRIFFIN
Tiger Media Network
Students at Fort Hays State University lined up last Monday night for free pancakes, games, and fellowship during Christian Challenge’s pancake social in McMindes Hall. The event ran from 8-10 p.m. in McMindes 2R and offered students a chance to connect with one another and learn more about the ministry’s weekly gatherings.
Christian Challenge hosted a Labor Day Cookout at Victor E. Village’s Courtyard. The organization supplied dinner, and yard games.
Clay Johnson, a member of the Christian Challenge leadership team, said the pancake feed provided a unique way to meet students right where they live.
“Christian Challenge is hosted off campus, so it’s not as accessible as the dorms, like right here where the pancake social is being hosted,” Johnson said. “Anyone and everyone gets to come and enjoy some pancakes, and we also have games like Uno and Jenga, which is super fun.”
Christian Challenge meets at CrossPoint Church each week. CrossPoint Pastor Micah Sanderson emphasized the value of events like this early in the semester.
“Students have a lot of options when they come to college. There are a lot of places they can make connections and friendships,” Sanderson said. “The more that Christian Challenge can do at the beginning, the more opportunities it gives students to make those connections in a place that also offers a greater connection to a spiritual walk.”
For students, the pancake social provided a pathway to deeper involvement. Seth Gundlach, who attends Christian Challenge, said the event was an easy way for newcomers to engage.
“It’s a great opportunity…kind of a nice break in the evening where you can just pop in and get connected,” Gundlach said. “There are people at every entrance to greet you, hand you a welcome card, and shake your hand.”
Gundlach added that the best next step for interested students is simply showing up on a Tuesday night.
“Great worship, great messages, great sense of community…it’s definitely worth it,” he said. “Just introduce yourself to someone and odds are that person’s already going to have a community that they’ll invite you into.”
Christian Challenge meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at CrossPoint Church, 1300 Harvest Rd. in Hays. More information about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved can be found at fhsuchallenge.info.