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At the University of Arkansas, a large Division I institution with roughly 34,000 students, it can be easy for students to fall into party life and make the wrong decisions as young, vulnerable, newly independent adults.
That’s where Delight Ministries comes in. The nationwide Christian campus ministry includes a four-year-old chapter at the University of Arkansas.
“We encourage girls that the college life does not have to follow that stereotypical, movie-like plot that the world convinces us we need,” student Susan Richey, who leads the UA chapter, told The College Fix.
The chapters typically run weekly Bible studies, but it provides a place where young college women away from home can find “deeper” friendships, she said.
“We love hosting social events that provide girls with a safe, welcoming environment without any pressures of performing or expectations,” Richey said.
“Our members have described us as more than a Bible study group, but as a source of genuine friendships outside of our Tuesday night meetings,” she said.
Delight Ministries’ mission is to launch, grow, and sustain thriving Christ-centered communities on college campuses, its website states.
The struggle to find an authentic community in college drove the founders of Delight Ministries, MacKenzie Bridges and Mackenzie Baker, to start a women’s Bible study at Belmont University.
Their first meeting took place in August 2012, and the group eventually grew to formally become known as Delight Ministries. Today, Delight has over 230 campus chapters across the United States.
Brooklyn Eggleston, a spokeswoman for Delight’s national team, said the group serves as a support group for students. For example, during one of their community events at Abilene Christian University, a young woman shared how she had walled herself off from female friendships due to “past hurts.”
“Near the end of the conversation, she said ‘I have never had girl friendships like this before. I’ve never been encouraged and supported like this,’ which was such a sweet God moment and confirmation that He was working within our chapter and equipped us to minister to even one girl.”
At some campuses, the chapters come together to feed the homeless. Others give each other affirmation cards and friendship bracelets. Events include providing Godly dating advice “for the girl who is heartbroken, for the girl who is single, for the girl who is dating a non-believer.”
Delight Ministries seeks to serve as an anchor for students navigating the pressures and distractions of secular college environments.
“When you gather together with other women to pursue the Lord and study His Word, you are encouraged, sharpened, and transformed by the Holy Spirit,” its website states.
“Delight gives women an alternative to the secular college lifestyle, JESUS is the alternative to the secular college lifestyle, and we just provide the space for this to happen.”
Richey said the group has been valuable to her during her time at college.
“Having a strong group of Christian women has helped me personally stay accountable with my faith,” she told The Fix.
“It has pushed me to grow, and it has provided me with an incredible, supportive, and loving group of women. By belonging to a group of like-minded girls that share the same values as me, it has been a source of guidance while navigating the classic college experience and the difficulties it brings.”
She said that “whatever I am facing, these girls have my back, and they’re ready to lift me up with a listening ear, a heartfelt prayer, or just a hug.”
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