Think Greek

As the spring semester gears up at our colleges and universities in the Greater New Orleans area, men and women dedicated to bringing Christ to these campuses make last minute preparations for their respective campus ministries. Cory Olivier, regional BCM director for New Orleans, and a good friend, keeps these various campus ministries organized. From four year colleges and nationally recognized universities, to community and trade schools, Cory and his team are working hard to see lives transformed by the power of Christ. Colleges are micro communities with their own subset of people groups that need culturally relevant means of experiencing the Gospel. One of those people groups are Greeks. No, not those Greeks. I'm talking about frat boys and sorority girls. These social and service organizations are on nearly every college and university campus nation wide. Mention Greeks and it doesn't take long for images from the movie Animal House to creep into one's mind. Some would say that's just a stereotype. I say Greeks work hard at their reputation and I'll leave it at that. Regardless, Greeks are just as in need of a Savior as everyone else. The trick is reaching them. Although Greeks make up only 1% of college students nation wide, they dominate positions of leadership in business, industry, and politics. Here's some numbers:

• 85% of Fortune 500 executives are Greek
• Of the 50 largest North American corporations; 43 are headed by Greeks
• 76% of U.S. Congressmen and Senators belong to a fraternity
• 85% of U.S. Supreme Court Justices since 1910 have been Greek

All this (and more) out of only 1% of college students. The results of reaching the Greeks for Christ boggle my mind. Campus ministry doesn't happen in a bubble. There are lasting effects on society when we support the efforts of our Baptist Collegiate Ministries. Students, get involved. Churches, find out what you can do to help minister to your local college or university. And if you like a challenge; think Greek.

Special thanks to Chaz Churchwell for providing the information for this entry.

You can contact Cory Olivier at nometrodirector@bellsouth.net