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Campus ROAR sponsors Christian Week
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Christian Week is an event with different activities, performances, guest speakers and films that are connected in some way to the Christian faith.
Displays of crosses and tables of pamphlets will be set up in the quad throughout the week. Volunteer John Ritter, Church of the Harvest pastor Lee Galway, and others hope to combat negative perceptions about Christianity as well as expose students to their beliefs.
“The truth is in the Word. Jesus came because of his love for us, and I think it’s important for people know,” Ritter said.
One aspect of Christian week is to educate people on current persecution around the globe. A persecution gallery that shows graphic, recent pictures of modern day Christian persecutions is being displayed in the Student Union Building this week.
“It’s kind of somber,” Chris Parrish, a member at Church of the Harvest, said. “We get insolated from the issue in the U.S. It’s a little shocking but it’s good to have your eyes opened.”
“Churches in India and Africa are being burned down and people are being lined up to be shot,” Campus ROAR President Tara Bastian said. “Christian Week is about awareness. This gallery is to raise awareness, but our purpose as a group is to share God’s love.”
The persecution gallery continues through Friday in the SUB Farnsworth Room.
“It’s always been my heart to bring parts of Christian culture that are not really shown,” Bastian said.
Campus ROAR will also start a ministry for young adults ages 19-30 every Saturday night at 6 p.m. in the SUB Lookout Room. Their kick-off meeting was last week; about 65 students attended.
“We just want to show the relevance of Christianity, and have a relaxed fun time,” Church of the Harvest pastor Lee Galway said. “I think people here are in a place where they want to start opening up and filling the voids in their life. It’s not about religion but about a personal relationship with God,” Galway said.
Some students expressed discomfort about the situation.
“It’s fine… kind of weird and a little much,” Amber Shultz said.
“I don’t know why it is a week long. It annoys me. They’re not bad… I wish it was just a day instead,” Naomi Johnson said.
“I don’t like it. It seems unfair. ‘Do you want a bible? Do you want a bible? Do you believe?’ I feel harassed. Instead of Christian Week it should be a religious week… They got me riled up,” Colton Olsen said.
However, all of the students interviewed on the Quad verbalized that the Christians had the right to be there, and to display their beliefs.
Campus Roar worked with eight different campus ministries to organize Christian Week. The finale takes place Friday in the Centennial Amphitheater, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
SONIA TREVIZO
Arbiter Journalist
