It’s been nearly a full month since the start of classes at OU and Rio and the ROC community has been humming along. In just a few short weeks we’ve had church visits, a game night, a kayak trip, Crosswalk (our weekly worship gathering) at Rio and OU, and an outdoor worship night. Not to mention meetups for coffee, hang outs in the ROC House, and many shared meals together! This is what I love about fall semester. The chance to reconnect and also to build fresh connections with new students.
Speaking of new students, I’m excited for you to “meet” one of our new students this month. Kensia Bush, grew up right here in Athens Ohio and is a member of one of ROC’s supporting churches, Athens Church of Christ. We were so thrilled to meet her during the cookie outreach and have her involved in the group that we invited her to join us on the ROC Podcast “Belong, Become, Be Sent.” You’ll hear her talk more about all of this in her article.
If you haven’t had the chance to listen to the ROC Podcast yet, I’d strongly encourage you to take a listen. Each week students from our community come together to discuss issues relating to faith on a college campus. I’m always blown away by how insightful these conversations are. You can stream all current episodes anytime using Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen on our website https://reachoutoncampus.com.
Over the course of the past several years the podcast has been hosted at OU using our students’ access to the Podcast Studio in Schoonover Center. Recently however, Josh Beck ROC’s Rio Grande Campus Minister and several Rio Students recorded their first ever vodcast (if you don’t know what that is, don’t worry, I had to look it up). This is a podcast in Video format. We plan to release these on Youtube starting about the time this newsletter goes to print. Once again, I love getting to hear (and see) our students share their perspectives on faith and life. I’m certain you will as well. The best way to follow along with the Rio Vodcast is to subscribe to Reach Out on Campus’ Youtube channel.
Looking toward the future, October will be a busy month for the ROC crew. First, our Fall Retreat will be happening October 14-16th. We will be returning to Kentucky’s Red River Gorge for some hiking and time spent worshipping God outdoors. October 29th will be the return of ROC’s Hotdog Outreach at the OU Block Party. After Covid spoiled our plans for the past few years we are excited to return. It’s a small expression of Jesus’ love for people, and hopefully a practical way to make sure people get home safely.
If your church (or family) would be interested in helping ROC with this outreach might I suggest a couple ways to partner with us. First pray! We need this event to be surrounded by prayer. Don’t think of this as “this is all I can do” but rather “this is an important way I can help.” Second, we have a ton of supplies needed for the event. If you would be interested in contributing supplies of donations toward this outreach please contact me at 740-591-1692. Finally, if you are free and would like to assist with the preparations (cooking, assembling, etc.) or the actual outreach, contact me and I’ll share with you how you can help.
As always, thank you for your faithful commitment to the ROC staff and students and to the kingdom work we are doing on Rio and OU’s campuses.
Blessings,
-Dodger