Summer moved quickly.
Between taking Maya to college, managing unexpected family circumstances, following up with new contacts, and preparing for the beginning of the academic year, this season has been full.
Many of you are experiencing the same thing. School is starting again. Calendars are filling. Families are adjusting to new routines, and the cost of nearly everything continues to rise.
I understand that people are making careful decisions about where and how they give. That is why I never take your prayers, encouragement, referrals, or financial support for granted.
At the same time, I need to tell you what God is doing at the University of South Florida because the opportunity in front of us is greater than I imagined.
The Prayers Are Working
For months, many of you have prayed with me, encouraged me, shared the Road to USF story, opened doors, and believed that God was preparing something at USF.
Now we are seeing what those prayers were preparing us for.
In just one week, more than 100 graduate students expressed interest in connecting with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries.
These are not simply names on a list. These are students asking real questions:
When will the Bible study begin?
Can we meet for lunch or coffee?
Can you help me find a church?
Is there a Christian community for graduate students?
Can someone mentor me?
How can I find people who will support me while I am here?
I have also connected with professors and faculty members who are seeking prayer, encouragement, spiritual community, and support. Some have shared how isolated they feel on campus. Others are already helping me connect with additional students and faculty members.
The need is present.
The door is open.
The ministry has begun.
This Moment Matters
The beginning of a new school year provides a special window of opportunity.
Students are establishing their schedules, building relationships, choosing their communities, and deciding where they belong. This is the time to follow up with them, meet them for coffee, organize Bible studies, develop student leaders, connect them with churches, and create spaces where they can experience genuine Christian community.
I want to give my full attention to the students and faculty members who are already reaching out.
However, I cannot build this ministry alone.
What Your Partnership Makes Possible
Financial partnership helps provide the foundation needed to serve USF students and faculty consistently.
Your support helps make possible:
- Personal follow-up with students and faculty
- Coffee and meals for student conversations and gatherings
- Bible study books, discipleship materials, and printed resources
- Outreach tables, signs, flyers, cards, and student giveaways
- Vision gatherings and community-building events
- Spiritual mentoring, leadership development, and discipleship
- The consistent campus presence needed to establish a lasting ministry
A single outreach table can cost between $300 and $500 before adding custom signs and giveaways. Student gatherings require food, materials, meeting space, and continued follow-up.
These ministry costs are increasing at the same time that the opportunity is expanding.
Will You Help Me Respond?
I am working to close my remaining financial gap so that I can focus more fully on serving the students and faculty God has already brought to us.
Would you prayerfully consider joining my monthly partnership team at $25, $50, $100, or another amount that is right for you?
Monthly gifts provide the consistent foundation this ministry needs. One-time gifts are also deeply appreciated and can immediately help cover student outreach, gatherings, Bible study materials, and other ministry expenses.
If you previously intended to give but have not yet completed your gift, this is a wonderful time to take that step.
JOIN THE ROAD TO USF PARTNERSHIP TEAM
You may also consider giving a one-time gift of $500 to help sponsor an upcoming student outreach activity.
This Is More Than a Donation
Your gift is not simply funding a program.
You are helping a graduate student find Christian community.
You are helping an isolated professor know they are not alone.
You are helping provide Bible studies for students who have already told us they want them.
You are helping create spaces where people can ask questions, receive prayer, grow as disciples, and discover how their faith connects with their academic calling.
You are helping establish a ministry that can develop student and faculty leaders for years to come.
I believe God has placed us at USF at the right time. The response has been exceedingly abundantly above anything I expected.
Now I am asking God to send the prayer partners, financial partners, volunteers, churches, and ministry friends needed to care for the people He has already brought.
Thank you for believing, praying, giving, and walking this road with me.
We are not simply preparing to begin anymore.
The ministry has begun.
With gratitude and expectation,
Jorgie Marshall
Campus Staff Minister
InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries
University of South Florida
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