Follow the links below to read news from the Olejarzs who reach out to college students through Chi Alpha in Boston:
www.mounthope.org/files/MA_Olejarz_2010-10.pdf
www.mounthope.org/files/MA_Olejarz_2009-10.pdf
www.mounthope.org/files/MA_Olejarz_2009-06.pdf
www.mounthope.org/files/MA_Olejarz_2009-03.pdf
www.mounthope.org/files/MA_Olejarz_2008-12.pdf
Mike & Barbara Olejarz (Chi Alpha – A/G):
Our purpose is to reach college students from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, especially the unchurched, root them in Christ, equip them to be life-long disciples of Christ, and send them out for effective Christian service. I (Mike) served as the director of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries in Southern New England and of the Boston metro team. I also served as the campus director of Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at MIT.
The foundation of our ministry approach starts with vision to impact students with the gospel of Christ. It also involves prayer, leadership to carry out the vision, and the necessary financial resources. The activities we engage in starts with the fall blitz, the various activities we engage in at the start of the year to meet new students (especially incoming Christians and pre-Christians), and offer them a place to meet friends, get accustomed to campus life, and grow in their faith. The other three structures we use include a large group meeting of worship/teaching, small groups, and consistent outreach.
One example of an outreach we offer regularly is called Pizza Theology (PT). PT is a monthly event where we provide free pizza, cookies that Barbara makes, and a chance for students to bring their toughest questions about faith and God. Chi Alpha is a safe place for college students to bring their questions as we examine the teachings of Jesus and explore the possibilities he offers us. Jesus told us that our faith is to be active, so we actively encourage and serve each other, and together, serve the people on campus around us.
Recent blessings and joys have been watching our student leaders work together to reach out and care for others; passing out 115 copies of The Screwtape Letters while dressed as the devil on the first day of school; and receiving the funds we needed for all of our startup activities. Our prayer requests: For our followup efforts of all the students we have met through various outreach efforts since the start of school; for new Christians to join the mission effort; for our connections and ongoing ministry to the many pre-Christians we have met; for my leadership as the chair of the MIT Board of Chaplains, a position I was asked to serve in for this school year.
Cliffe Knecthle, author of "Give Me An Answer That Satisfies My Heart and My Mind," came to MIT recently. As Cliffe spoke and responded to questions from students outside the Student Center, two who identified themselves as atheists let loose a barrage of questions...with an attitude! The crowd surged and then there was some great ministry going on. Other students chimed in as the gospel went forth outside the M.I.T. student center as Cliffe handled their toughest questions about Christianity from 12 noon - 2:30 pm with tough answers in a respectful manner. At a pizza party later, there were great questions from students, great answers from Cliffe, and about a dozen students filled out contact cards asking to learn more about Christianity, or get on our mailing list. A Muslim student attended and left after an hour, but remarked that she enjoyed the hearty exchanges about Jesus.
