Freshmen Connect 2012

Get connected!

That was the rallying cry of Freshmen Connect 2012, where UT freshmen from all over Texas came together to find community in Christ before the challenges of campus life come upon them.

The event started with an introduction from Dr. Ken Diller, the faculty advisor for Christian Students on Campus. Next, the freshmen broke up into their teams and braved the scorching Texas heat while completing a scavenger hunt around the UT campus. Following the scavenger hunt and a picnic dinner at the LBJ Lawn, we switched venues from campus to Middle Creek Ranch, an ideal setting to get away from the hustle and bustle of Austin and find Jesus together.

A restful night of sleep at the ranch gave way to a day packed with team activities, including small group Bible studies, a wide variety of outdoor games, and culminated in a T-shirt design competition. While the focus of the day was building connections within the teams, there was also opportunity for large group worship and a message from the book of First Corinthians about God’s purpose.

Enjoyment, growth, function, and building

These four words serve as a road map for our journey in God’s purpose viewed from 1 Corinthians.

Before we can do anything for the Lord, He wants us to enjoy Him. Enjoying God’s life in us causes us to grow. As we grow, our functions as members of the Body of Christ develop. Ultimately, our functioning is for the building up of the believers as the Body of Christ. The Lord desires all of His believers to be built up together.

Freshmen Connect was a great start to the year. It was awesome to meet so many new students eager to pursue Christ with us. Here’s what they had to say about Freshmen Connect:

It is so important to find companions with whom to pursue the Lord. Going to Freshmen Connect really got me connected to others! – Mimi L. from Houston, Texas

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I found a family of crazy lovers of Jesus and it’s awesome!!!! – Tim H. from Dallas, Texas

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I’ve never felt the Spirit so alive in a group of such diverse, amazing people! – Jacqui R. from Trophy Club, Texas

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I truly loved the Freshmen Connect experience and I feel better equipped to follow and dwell in the Lord as school starts. – Connor R. from Green Bay, Wisconsin