Gifts in Action

When InterVarsity’s Black Campus Ministries chapter was planted at North Carolina State, it had one goal: to create a Christ-centered community where Black students could grow in faith and leadership. Like many ministries, it faced challenges—especially during the pandemic. But today, the chapter is thriving, and its impact is undeniable.

One of its key student leaders, deeply transformed by his time in the ministry, felt called to serve full-time with InterVarsity. He had the passion and the vision, but there was a roadblock: his home church did not financially support parachurch ministries, making it difficult to raise the necessary ministry budget. Without funding, stepping into full-time ministry seemed impossible.

That’s where the InterVarsity Legacy Fund made all the difference. Because of the generosity of past donors, a sustainable income stream existed to support key staff and ministries at North Carolina State. This fund laid the financial foundation needed to bring this leader on staff—ensuring that the chapter continues to grow and impact students for years to come.

—John Hanna | Carolinas Region, UFM Regional Ministry Director

For students at Davidson College, InterVarsity has been more than just a campus ministry—it’s been a place of spiritual growth, deep community, and transformative encounters with Jesus. But in 2021, the chapter faced a significant challenge. When the InterVarsity Campus Minister transitioned to a new role, the ministry was left without dedicated staff leadership for nine months. The search for a new staff minister took time, and when the right leader was found, another hurdle emerged—she could only commit to part-time hours due to financial limitations.

Without strong leadership, the chapter’s momentum could have stalled. But thanks to the InterVarsity Legacy Fund that had been established for the chapter, this new campus minister was able to step into her role sooner than expected. Because of the steady stream of financial support from past donors, she was not only able to start right away, but over time, she increased her commitment to 30 hours per week—bringing renewed vision, discipleship, and growth to the chapter.

Today, the ministry at Davidson College is thriving. Students are encountering Jesus, growing in faith, and stepping into leadership. And it’s all because of the generosity of donors who invested in the future through legacy giving.

—John Hanna | Carolinas Region, UFM Regional Ministry Director

In 2024, campus ministry in South Dakota faced a daunting challenge. The staff team was struggling with a growing financial deficit, and two staff members had to step away. Without immediate financial support, the ministry’s long-term sustainability was at risk.

But thanks to the North Central Region Legacy Fund, new opportunities emerged. With a strategic investment of $15,000 in matching grants, three staff members raised an additional $30,000 in new annual funding—ensuring they could continue leading, discipling students, and expanding the ministry’s reach.

Beyond stabilizing current staff, $4,000 from the Legacy Fund was used to launch a new staff residency hub at the University of Sioux Falls (USF)—a groundbreaking initiative that will train and equip future ministry leaders. Already, two students have committed to the program for 2026, ensuring a new generation of campus ministers in South Dakota.

Without the North Central Region Legacy Fund, these breakthroughs wouldn’t have been possible. This fund didn’t just meet an urgent financial need—it secured the future of InterVarsity’s ministry in South Dakota.

—Andy Lickel, Associate Regional Ministry Director
https://www.intervarsitysoda.org/ 

Northern Minnesota has always been a challenging place for campus ministry. As a rural region with economic hardships, raising funding for campus staff has never been easy. Seasons of great spiritual fruitfulness have often been followed by staff transitions, leaving many campuses unstaffed and unplanted. Yet through it all, God has remained faithful—even sustaining one chapter since 1939 and continuing to stir the hearts of students to reach their peers.

When several staff recently transitioned to new roles, InterVarsity’s leaders in the Region knew that the future of ministry in Northern Minnesota depended on investing in the next generation of student leaders and future campus ministers. But their question was, “how do we equip these students today to step into that calling?”

That’s where InterVarsity’s Legacy Fund made all the difference. With support from this fund, several students received scholarships to attend Ambition, InterVarsity’s national planting conference—an event designed to inspire and equip students to launch new ministries. Without this support, only two or three students might have attended. Instead, 15 students from across Northern Minnesota were able to go, dream together, and seek God’s call for their campuses.

One student arrived at Ambition simply hoping for clarity about her next steps. By the end of the week, she reflected, “I see myself as a leader in many areas of my life—I hold roles and positions in different spaces. But I’m starting to sense that God is calling me to be a leader as a Christian.” Inspired and empowered, she recently launched a new small group in her dorm, creating a space for her peers to encounter Jesus. Meanwhile, several other students are now discerning a call to serve on staff after graduation—ensuring that the work of campus ministry continues for years to come.

—Jacob Fisher, North Area Ministry Director, Northern MN / Northwest WI