GRIP Opportunities

We have many opportunities available for students to worship, grow in their faith, serve and fellowship together outside of attending Sunday service! Here are just some of the things we offer:

Mid-week Meeting - Co-ed, weekly Bible study meets on Wednesdays at 7:15 pm, upstairs in the Grace Growth Center.

Adopt a Student Program - Interested students are matched with a person or family from Grace United Methodist Church with similar interests to get to know each other. You can choose to sit with your ‘family’ if you attend Grace, or invite them to the service on campus. Grace Church hosts Wednesday evening dinners which you could enjoy with your ‘family’ and sometimes they even provide opportunities to get off campus for a little while.

Missions - We have several throughout the year:

Move-In Mission – Students and Grace volunteers set up at stations on Move In Day to offer cold water and a warm welcome to IUP newcomers.

Midnight Mission - Students and Grace volunteers extend the love of Christ to college students out partying during IUP's Homecoming celebration by providing a listening ear and refreshments.

Spring Break Mission Trip - A mission trip is planned over Spring Break to help those who are in need. We have often traveled to Chattanooga, TN to volunteer our time at Bethel Bible Village, a small campus that houses and ministers to troubled youth. For the last 2 years we also worked with the Hurricane Relief effort by traveling to Mississippi.

Winter Break Mission Trip - We're heading to San Luis, MX from January 5 - 12th, 2008. Working with Caring Hearts Ministry, we will be sharing Christ's love with children in an orphanage and ministering to the residents of the area. Contact Karen ASAP if interested!

Community Service Projects - Occasionally we provide an opportunity to serve God by serving the community. These may include: Prison Ministry; sorting, serving or delivering food locally; visiting the elderly; tutoring; raking leaves; etc. Credit can also be earned for classes requiring community service hours.

Meet and Eat – One Sunday a month following the 11:00 service at Grace, students are invited to enjoy a free lunch and a time of interaction on the 2nd floor of the Grace Growth Center. Information is provided on upcoming events, as well as an opportunity to sign up. A great place to meet new people! Light refreshments are provided every Sunday at our on-campus service.

Road Trips - Events are planned to get students off-campus for a while. Trips include going to places like Pittsburgh, Kennywood, Quaker Steak and Lube, as well as places locally that perhaps students wouldn't necessarily know about. All suggestions are considered!

Activities - Whether it's a cookout, a boating day, movie night, bonfire - we try to offer activities that will provide students with a fun, alcohol-free option for weekends.