In graduate student ministry, finding students who feel called to invest as leaders on campus is essential. Such students are already invested in your community and have shown evidence that they care about its presence on campus.
Graduate & Professional Students
As a graduate student, both your faith and studies are important to your daily life. Our chapters of witnessing communities on over 100 campuses share four ministry commitments and are designed to help you mature as a disciple of Christ while encouraging and equipping you to faithfully navigate your academic and career path. Through GFM, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Gather regularly in community
- Study the Bible
- Make life-long friendships
- Develop leadership skills
- Participate in life-changing events and retreats
- Serve your campus, surrounding community, and the world
Through on-campus fellowships and online resources, GFM longs to support graduate and professional students and see them transformed by the Gospel, taking their part in renewing campuses, and developing as world changers.
Learn more about Graduate and Professional Students Ministries
Student Leadership
As InterVarsity GFM staff, we have the privilege of planting and growing witnessing communities on the campuses we serve. This document provides guidelines and suggestions for us as campus ministers as we work with student leaders in GFM.
Invite students and faculty into leadership by clearly articulating a vision that addresses campus issues and needs, affirming their gifts and spiritual commitment, and making a detailed, compelling invitation.
This is a sample of a leadership application for your fellowship. Please contextualize this resource to your fellowship.
Revitalize your small group leadership skills. Reignite your vision and spiritual passion for guiding others. Enhance your abilities and bring new energy to your group.
NSO/Evangelism
As a graduate student or faculty member, identifying yourself as a follower of Jesus and sharing his message with others can feel daunting. Your reputation and even your career could be at risk. Witness In The Academy prepares graduate students, faculty, and campus ministry staff to engage in healthy and productive spiritual conversations on campus.
Learn about the art and science of New Student Outreach (NSO), along with a list of ideas specifically for Graduate and Faculty Ministries (GFM.)
Square Inch Seminars came out of the Stanford InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Graduate Christian Fellowship. They came up with the idea of short “TED” like talks that would help both the church and the campus understand what it looks like to love God/one another, your campus, your academic discipline and our world (known as the Faculty Four Loves).
A Network map is a great way to identify the people God has placed in your life for witness and potential ministry partnership. Some folks are visible and obvious, such as family and close friends. Others require more exploration and thought, such as work colleagues, fellow students, professors, online contacts, and casual acquaintances.
As God draws our friends toward himself, they tend to go through five “thresholds” (5T) of coming to faith. The main idea is that conversion usually takes place gradually. The following summary chart of the 5Ts is explained below.
Our best insights, recommendations, and advice on how to connect well with graduate students during new Student Outreach.
Leading Small Groups
The series of conversations helps new graduate students think about the new season of life they’ve begun through the lens of faith and consider what God’s invitation(s) may be as they settle in, face challenges, etc.
Prayer meetings don't have to be boring or awkward. They can be transformative! Learn how to lead times of prayer where your community experiences the intimate presence of God and be sent to join Jesus in the work he is already doing.
Training Courses
Saying yes to leading a small group is a risk. But it’s also an adventure, and this course will help you take the first step! As you lead, you’ll discover a life-giving community and growing love for Scripture.
You can create a Bible study that will help your friends meet God. Learn how to craft an inductive Bible study that will change lives.