Since early 1800's pioneer camps in Canada, Britain, and Europe. The haystack movement in England brought the first founders when they came to North America, and named themselves the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. DCF at Bloomsburg actually started as Inter-Varstiy. Its change due to Steave Buttle, the newly named regional director. A liberal, Buttle did not believe the original documents of the Bible were without error. He believed they were infallible, but not in inherent. Due to his opposing view on this topic, In 1990, David Green, the area director for Inter-Varstiy at the time of Buttle's appointment, was fired. Tension from the staff workers had been rising against Buttle for some time, and when he pulled the plug on Green, all but one staff worker, Craig Hickey, left Inver-Varsity. Those staff workers include Tom Becker, Bob Cheddister, Mark Fodale, Patricia Hansell, Daryl Matte, Steave Bardor, and Denny Mitchell. Bill Dripps invented DCF as a way to funnel money as charitable contributions, giving recipets to supports, that money pays multiple salaries. Mitchell knew Dripps from Penn State, the only place at the time that had an established Inver-Varsity group. This group merged into DCF after the fallout of 1990. Bill Dripps was the president of DCF from the time it began until this very year, fall of 2015. Dripps retires his legacy with hopes and prayers that the Lord only make DCF into exactly what He wants.
From the moment you walk through the double glass doorway, the voices of DCF members fill the room. The building that houses the Thursday night large group has a wide brick walkway leading to the entrance. Once inside, gleaming white tile and red clay walls guide you to the double wooden doors, not fifty steps forward. The doors, always propped open, have warm smiling faces, greeting both new and returning members, flanking either side. Stepping through the opening, the first thing to notice are the brilliantly red sound panels, scattered in various rectangles all around. The low ceiling lecture hall's chairs stretch in semicircle rows facing the stage up front. With minimal applied pressure, these red cushy seats fold down in a normal fashion, but spring vertical when no one is sitting on them. Their black frames are bolted to the somewhat tattered tiled flooring between the rows, which meet a thin mixed gray carpet lining the isles.
Though large group starts at eight o'clock, there are always one or two things delaying the punctuality of the start time. Due to the lax policy, on any given night, students saunter in five to ten minutes past the established hour. The room, on a slight rake towards the small wooden stage, swarms with bodies. The newest members, feeling the most awkward, tend to sit down as soon as they arrive. Returning members with more developed relationships float from gathered cluster to gathered cluster, until the lights dim. On stage, the worship team frantically sets up the projector and sound checks the music equipment. The lights dimming signify the worship team is ready to kick off the night!
Though large group starts at eight o'clock, there are always one or two things delaying the punctuality of the start time. Due to the lax policy, on any given night, students saunter in five to ten minutes past the established hour. The room, on a slight rake towards the small wooden stage, swarms with bodies. The newest members, feeling the most awkward, tend to sit down as soon as they arrive. Returning members with more developed relationships float from gathered cluster to gathered cluster, until the lights dim. On stage, the worship team frantically sets up the projector and sound checks the music equipment. The lights dimming signify the worship team is ready to kick off the night!
"A few years ago, I sang a duet for the DCF talent show and was asked if I thought about playing for worship team. I was definitely interested and by the end of spring 2014, I was the team leader!" exclaims senior Danielle Sterner. In harmony with the DCF audience, the team plays four to five contemporary worship songs per meeting."We typically practice 7:30-9:00 on Sunday nights and then again on Thursday’s from 6:30 - 7:30. The Sunday practice is actual practice, whereas Thursday is more of a run through to make sure we are ready for DCF that night! It’s been a roller coaster but I’m very thankful for the experience!
Though the music makes for face paced start, the sermon from DCF leader Mike Chartowich is the focus point of the night. "To me, DCF is a group of college students that meet together to learn more about who Jesus is, what He has done for His people, and also to learn how we should respond to that as Christians. We also enjoy meeting together informally to hang out, get to know each other better, and spend time encouraging each other!" The most recent trip the gang has taken was to Loyalsock. A two mile hike to natural made rock slides, a rope swing, and a twenty foot cliff to jump from. Other fun activities include game night, visiting Knoebels, and late night runs to Denny's (figures below).
DCF's colorful logo and weekly activity announcements cover one side of the pamphlet (figure to the right), and on the other, a few topic points with space in-between to jot down notes. Provided at the very bottom is the bible passage Chartowich will be focusing on for that evening. After two to three songs and Mike's sermon for the night, one final prayer wraps up the evening. From there, the students, ranging from freshmen to fifth year residents, stick around to chat. By 9:20pm, everyone has said his or her goodbyes and have shuffled out. The room is left with an encouraged heart and anticipation for next week's large group.
DCF's colorful logo and weekly activity announcements cover one side of the pamphlet (figure to the right), and on the other, a few topic points with space in-between to jot down notes. Provided at the very bottom is the bible passage Chartowich will be focusing on for that evening. After two to three songs and Mike's sermon for the night, one final prayer wraps up the evening. From there, the students, ranging from freshmen to fifth year residents, stick around to chat. By 9:20pm, everyone has said his or her goodbyes and have shuffled out. The room is left with an encouraged heart and anticipation for next week's large group.
“DCF has brought me to know who Jesus is, what He did for me on the cross, and how I should live in response which is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” remarks junior Katie Hughes. “I have learned so much from this college family that I can’t imagine my life without them. They’ve brought so much joy into my life and showed me light in the midst of trial, how to suffer with the hope of eternity in view, and have helped through some of the hardest and darkest moments of my life,” reveals sophomore Angus Kemper. Senior Lexi Smith asserts “I don’t know what my college life would’ve looked like without them and honestly don’t want to. They’ve pointed me to The One who has changed my life for the better!”
Have any questions about DCF? Visit their homepage at DicipleMakers home page.
No comments:
Post a Comment