2008 Woodie Awards
The Crossing fuels students weekly
Sarah Cash
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
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Six sides - past, present, future and relationships with God, others and yourself - seem practically impossible to hold together. Videos on YouTube may teach you how to complete the puzzle, but it takes a lot of dedicated practice to finish each colored side. Just when you think you've got it together, life messes it up again.
This was the discussion Tuesday night at The Crossing's Fuel meeting, which draws more than 100 college students every week. The ministry began this semester and offers musical worship and speaking at 8:30 p.m., pretty much a Sunday service condensed and geared toward college students.
Like solving a Rubik's Cube, the ministry operates on the understanding that most people want their lives to make sense, have purpose and meaning, and through Bible study, students can learn how.
Hentzel, 25, fits perfectly into the college crowd with a faux Mohawk, T-shirt and jeans and relaxed sense of humor. He said the Fuel group is not just for students who consider themselves religious but for people who want to change the world they live in. Of course, Hentzel has distinct ideas about what kind of change the world needs.
"(Fuel) is a gathering of the spiritually eclectic: People who are seasoned in what it means to be a Christian, and people who have a hangover. All are welcome," Hentzel said. "The goal is to introduce people to Jesus, because if you meet Jesus, your life will be changed. We're convinced of that. There's something about Jesus that changes your life and always changes it for the better."
Regular attendee Matt Brinks, senior biology major, clarified that Fuel is not a church service that preaches hell and damnation, however. The focus is on everyday living.
"I wouldn't call it like a Bible study; it's more like, here are everyday issues that you're dealing with, and here is the biblical way to look at them - the way Jesus would have dealt with them," Brinks said.
After attending Fuel, Brinks described feeling empowered and part of a community. He said most of the staff members are in their 20s and "strive to be like your friends."
Senior women's studies major Brittney Simpson said she feels the same.
"While attending Western I wasn't able to find a church that was really for me until I started going to The Crossing. I instantly felt comfortable - we all felt at home," she said. " Clayton and his staff really take the time to get to know people. Not only do I enjoy the worship, but I also enjoy Clayton's sermons. There is always something I feel I can relate to. I also love the fact that I can get to know people and fellowship with more people my own age."
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