If I have had the pleasure of sharing about my ministry with you, then you likely know that I have long desired to reach fraternity and sorority students on campus. At University of Arizona, more than 10% of the student population is involved in Greek Life. When I was in college, I had plenty of friends in Greek chapters and read articles almost weekly about the crazy goings on of these students.

I always wondered to myself, what would it be like if I were in a sorority? How would I affect my sisters? How would Greek Life affect me?

But alas, I am not Greek. I never rushed, I never got a bid, and I never wore letters. I will never know what it’s like to be a part of the Greek organization. I know what it’s like to attend a party school. I remember reading an article my senior year about a couple fraternity men being arrested for coercing a girl into a situation where they took turns sexually abusing her. As I sat there crying, I asked God, “How can this happen? How can 18-22 year old boys decide to commit such terrible sin together? Why?”

After a while of wrestling with this, God asked me, “Who loves them?”

On our campus, you could tell that there were judgments cast on members of Greek Life. Non-Greek students were jealous if they didn’t get bids they wanted or didn’t get them at all. They acted like Greek students were morally worse when it came to things like drinking and sex while all along they crashed parties on Greek row. It was weird.

But I knew the answer when God asked me.

No one. No one loves the Greeks, and they struggle to love themselves and each other. In a world of performance, there’s not much room for genuine love. And yet, that’s what people join for: sisterhood and brotherhood. I’m not saying they don’t get that. They definitely do. Lasting bonds are made. They all love each other to the best of their ability. Beyond that though, I don’t know who on campus is really looking out for this specific community of students.

When I realized that, I couldn’t shake the desire to make sure they are loved. And lucky for me, InterVarsity has an entire ministry dedicated to it. Last semester, a student leader and I started 2 Bible studies for Fraternity and Sorority students at NAU. It was pretty fun. We went through a bunch of Scripture that helped us rethink who Jesus is and what it means to follow him. One week, 27 students showed up. It was crazy!

This past weekend, I attended IV’s Greek conference in Indianapolis. Over 650 students, staff, and volunteers gathered to grow closer to Jesus, and say yes to the many invitations that God has for us when being a part of ministry. It was a lot of fun. Even though I am still early on in this journey, and no, I’m not Greek, I am learning quite a bit from Greek culture. Here are just 3 things:

1. Greeks are welcoming. Greek students are recruiters and event planners and organizers. They know their stuff, and a lot of it has to do with hospitality and people skills. In getting to know NAU Fraternity and Sorority Life and Greek InterVarsity, I have felt so welcomed, cared for, and directed about how I can strategically reach Greek students. Even though I had fears that I would be received awkwardly, nothing has held me back yet!

2. Greeks are professional. What I mean by this is that time is a currency in Greek culture. These students have so many options and obligations during one week that inviting them into something else poses a big risk of rejection. However, the students who actually want to be involved with Greek IV have made sure to communicate with me when they can’t make it to something but are still interested. This doesn’t happen with my non-Greek students. Also, at the conference, Greek staff stuck to the schedule they planned on. We even finished early sometimes. THIS WAS AMAZING TO ME.

3. Greeks are ambitious. There’s something different about working with Greek students. When there’s a problem, they want to solve it. They are strategic. They want to meet needs. They are willing to take charge. This is why attempting to start something new with them gives me a lot of hope and makes me really excited.

So despite my fears and reservations, I have been so welcomed into the Greek community. And despite the stereotypes of Greek culture, the good outweighs the bad. And the bad stuff is the reason we’re bringing Jesus to the center of the picture, anyway.

Last night at Bible study, the Tri Delta girls shared with me their sorority’s motto, “Let us steadfastly love one another.” They long to live that out in a real way, and they plan on doing it with the strength of the Holy Spirit. How amazing is that?

Keep Greek InterVarsity in the Rocky Mountain region in your prayers. God is building momentum and there’s clearly a need and desire being filled.