Do you remember when you began your freshman year of college? You were probably filled with mixed emotions—excited about this new chapter in your life, worried about making new friends, afraid of eating alone in the cafeteria, confused about what classes to take, anxious about exams, but eager to learn.
You and your friends or small group can make a big difference in the lives of the incoming freshmen on your campus. Be intentional about building relationships with them. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
The summer is the perfect time for neighborhood and community impact; school books have been put away and replaced by bikes, grills, and swimming pools. Families are in their front yards and on their front porches making the summer a great time to deepen existing neighborhood relationships and make new connections. 
Have you ever written your autobiography? What would you say if you were to write yours today? Perhaps you would write about when and where you were born, what your family was like then and now, if you were poor or rich, what your community was like, and where you went to church.
Square Foot Gardening is simple, fun, and provides an opportunity to involve people from multiple generations. It is a great way to connect with neighbors and with God. Sharing experiences through gardening builds relationships and grows community (and some yummy veggies).
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NASB).
Many people believe that instead of investing our personal time and money into short-term trips, we should send our money to career missionaries and let them invest it however they think best. However, relational missions is one of the most effective ways to tell others about Christ, whether locally or overseas.
The gospel of Christ is spread through biblical community. Living life with others is a catalyst for intentional discipleship—what I like to call friendships. When we decide we want to do Christianity on our own, we limit discovering more about God through other’s relationship with Him.
