Last night was our final Grillin’ & Chillin’ event for the fall semester.
This week brought temperatures in the 90s, with no relief in sight, so a handful of us kept watching the weather apps, hoping it might cool down. Instead, it rained as we were setting up!
We stopped and regrouped. What was Plan B?
The food still needed to be prepared, so we decided to stage everything in the Gathering Space. Then, just as we were getting settled into our new plan, it rained some more.
Ugh.
So, we adapted! We served the food in the Gathering Space using the counter that was already there. We set up two corn hole games—yay for new players!—the yard Jenga (and yes, we had some questions about whether certain moves were actually allowed), and tables for dining.
Our first student arrived. Let’s call him John.
John knew his way around because he had joined us for all three Grillin’ & Chillin’ events last year. I had not seen him yet this year, but he received the email, remembered the good—and free!—food, and decided to join us.
He filled his plate and then went outside to sit at one of the freshly wiped-off tables. I followed and sat down next to him. (Not in a creepy way!)
“Hey, John! It’s good to see you!”
He looked a little shocked.
“You remember my name?”
“Yes,” I said. “I believe you are a transfer student from Illinois, which means you might be a senior?”
“Wow! That’s really good. How do you remember me?”
My answer was simple:
Names matter. People matter.
I remembered that John had joined us last year for Grillin’ & Chillin’ along with another student. I had seen him around campus a few times this year, but he was always too far away for me to get his attention.
We talked about how things were going. He shared that he is a senior majoring in finance and is excited about finding a job after graduation.
Then Jim Shirbrun joined us (thanks, Jim) and continued the conversation, beginning to build a relationship with John as well.
After dinner, John went back inside and joined a game of corn hole. I don’t believe he had ever played before, but someone explained the rules, and soon four people were playing while others gathered around to cheer them on.
It was a simple evening.
Food.
Games.
Conversation.
New relationships.
And connection.
I will confess that I initially collected students’ names by offering a chance to win $10 cash. John won a couple of times last year, and he was so excited! This year, he came for the food—and found fellowship with others.
Please join me in praying for John as he finishes his senior year at Iowa State University.
And when you see students in our building, please introduce yourself. Ask their name. Ask if they know where they are going or if they need help finding something. When students come for worship, encourage them to complete a connection card so that I can reach out and invite them to join us for other activities.
We have so much to offer them.
But it often begins with something very simple:
Get their name.
Names matter.
People matter.
Blessings as a new school year begins!
Jena
Ps.. shout out to all of the volunteers who make things like Grillin’ & Chillin’ happen!
