“Give it away!” That’s our Epic Movement theme at Oregon State University this Spring.
We have been asking ourselves, “What does it look like to give my life away for the sake of the one who gave his life up for me?”
Student leaders at Epic decided to raise money for two organizations, India Partners, a Christian non-profit building wells in India, providing clean water to those who need it and sharing the hope of Jesus. The other is House of Engedi, a local Christian safe house for former sex trafficked girls.
Besides giving their own money, groups of Epic students have sold bubble tea in the middle of the quad on campus. 100% of the profits are also being donated to the two organizations. Everyday people stop by shocked that we would raise money and not keep any of it for ourselves. What a great opportunity to share why the love of Christ compels us to “give it away.” One person even said, “I’m not a Christian, but this is the best Christian thing I have ever seen.” True love is shocking.
Selling bubble tea also served as a means of free advertising about Epic. We invited everyone who bought bubble tea to come to Epic and hear more about what we were doing to meet the needs of the world and our community. At these meetings, we invited representatives from India Partners and House of Engedi to share with us about how they are meeting the needs of the world.
As we support ministries around the world it has opened doors to reach students on our campus.
Epic at Oregon State has always been about giving it away. Last Fall students and alumni came together to lease a house on campus. Across the street from the chemistry building and tucked between Chipotle and Dutch Brothers Coffee sits the Epic House on the main street of campus. There could not be a more strategic location for Epic students to have a second home.
Stop by and you will find study groups, Bible studies, worship nights, games being played, a potluck or a student taking a quick nap on the couch. The house opens everyday at 10am and closes at midnight. There is always a student leader at the house to make sure everything runs smoothly.
The house is fully funded every month by people who have chosen to give it away – all but one under the age of 25.
Whether it is bubble tea in the quad or coffee on a couch at the Epic House, our goal always to share Jesus with students who need to hear the Gospel. We give it away, so that we can proclaim Jesus.
Bryan Bernard, Pastor at Corvallis Korean Church