Guest Column:
Rooted aims to help students find faith
Published Nov. 13, 2009
When incoming students first step on the University of Missouri campus, they generally experience a range of emotions, from excitement and happiness to shock and awe. New students gain exposure to a brand new world filled with countless opportunities to get involved. What many students then feel is simply a natural emotional progression. We are talking about confusion, consternation and a general feeling of being completely overwhelmed.
Getting plugged into a religious community can be one of the most daunting challenges facing new students at Mizzou. Numerous opportunities are out there, but in their first few days at Mizzou, the intimidation factor can stop new students from exploring the Christian community.
Rooted, a second-year campus organization, aims to help new and incoming students remain "rooted" in their faith as they make the collegiate transition. During the first few weeks of the fall semester, Rooted hosts a ministry fair that gathers local churches, campus religious organizations and incoming students, creating a direct connection for students with the life of faith at Mizzou. The biggest effort Rooted undertakes is a weekend retreat for incoming students featuring live music, inspirational speakers and an instant relationship between like-minded students.
Our 11-member executive board is already preparing for the church and ministry fair and the retreat, but we're looking for retreat counselors and prayer team members, too. During the spring semester, the counselors get together every week to grow as Christian leaders, and the prayer team will meet weekly, too, to pray for the retreat, the incoming class of 2014, our students, faculty and staff and our amazing school.
Applications are due at 5 p.m. on Nov. 20 and are available by e-mailing Rooted.PR@gmail.com.
Rooted has no affiliation with any denomination or campus ministry. It is simply an organization run by a handful of students to help introduce freshmen to the Christian community at Mizzou. The personal impact Rooted makes goes a long way in helping new students feel a part of the Mizzou family -- and we hope you'll apply to get Rooted, too!