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Intervarsity of Eastern Iowa Alumni

Welcome!

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Sarah Shannon

1 comment

October 17, 2006

One of the primary tools Jesus uses in our lives is relationships. During college, the relationships we make within Christian community are significant beyond words. Often these are the folks who have seen us up close during profound phases of our Christian growth. Many of them have been used by God in ways that were both pleasant and painful to us. Yet, upon graduation God leads us in many different paths and we become scattered. The scattering is a work of God which causes his kingdom to spread and creates many new opportunities for us to grow, but also means loss of the community and change in the relationships that have been so foundational to our discipleship. We were created for Christian community and so must forge new relationships each time the Spirit leads us to make a location change. Often, the older we are, the longer it takes to develop new relationships where we are deeply known. The alumni of IVCF of Eastern Iowa can be a source of encouragement, comfort, perspective and accountability to one another throughout our lives. Certainly our community with each other will be different than when we were in college. But, because of our history with each other, we can understand the significance of the things we are encountering that our new communities may take longer to "get." We can be a type of "extended family" of faith that stays connected and cheers one another on in our life long journey of following Jesus. Lindsay Olesberg Sarah Shannon

1 comment to "Welcome!"

Anja Loftus

October 19, 2006

This is so profoundly true! I often find myself reconnecting with the place in my heart that holds my fellow IV alumni. I think of the friendships, the mentorships, discipling and being discipled, conferences when both faith and relationships grew stronger, mission trips, prayer support, dorm living and community, studying the Word by leading and participating in Bible Studies, convictions, reconciliations or "talks" as we so famously referred to them as, outreach opportunities, goodness found in suffering along the way, Mark Study, being a part of a vision, and most importantly dicovering just how real and awesome Jesus is! The memories are overflowing and I am so thankful to have met each of you. Life has taken us all in many different directions and the Lord has blessed us with new communities and church homes, but it is my hope that we can still continue this journey together from miles and even countries apart. Because no matter what, we consistently have one thing in common...who could ask for more? Blessings, Anja