Hill Country Bible Church

Operation UT

Posted: Aug 29, 2010 by Collin Huber

To welcome incoming freshmen to their first year at the University of Texas, a group of people from Hill Country UT gave up their Saturday plans to hang around campus to help with moving into the dorms. About 35 people turned out to volunteer offering to carry anything these college students had. The time spent with them allowed for many moments of engaging those students and their families in conversations. As relationships were formed, word was spread about the church and the other activities that were planned for the weekend: one being a showing of the film Zoolander on the South Mall.

Nearly, 140 people turned out for the movie, about half being newcomers, which quickly became a joyful event full of popcorn and laughs. Sunday rolled around and 40 brand new visitors attended the church and then stayed to join us for the party barge later that afternoon. After a full day of diving, swimming, and eating delicious hot dogs, Operation UT weekend had come to an end. And all in all, it was a success.

Rarely as a church do we ever have opportunities on campus like we do during Operation UT. Not only are we engaging students through service, but we are also meeting them on their home turf. Our hope is to get these freshmen connected to healthy community that will love and care for them as quickly as possible. Ultimately, that is the aim of Operation UT. If you missed out, that’s too bad. But don’t worry because we have plenty more planned for you.

Beginning in September, we will kick off Austin Hotspots – a ministry aimed at acquainting freshmen with the city of Austin. Each Friday of the month, Hill Country UT folks will offer their evenings to driving new students to staple places such as Mozart’s and the Oasis. It will give them the chance to experience Austin culture while also building essential relationships within a loving community.

Alongside Austin Hotspots, our Connections Pastor, Eric McArthur, will be working to coordinate a Campus Blitz over the next school year. This will consist of a church-sponsored event on campus every week. We will be setting up a rock climbing wall, a giant game of Twister, and even a mechanical bull! It’s going to be a lot of fun, but it is also going to be a chance to engage students with the Gospel of Jesus through bold love and grace.

We are here on mission to pursue the UT campus with the message of Christ. God opened many doors to us during Operation UT weekend and we believe that He will continue to do so throughout the next school year. But we need you to be a part of it because the church is a body and each individual has a function in our walk towards unity. Upcoming events will be announced as they draw closer. So please play your part and join with us as we strive to follow the call God has placed upon our church in the coming weeks.