The Annual CSF Fundraising Banquet is a highlight every year - meeting parents, little reunions for CSF alumni, great food, local church and business partners, and most of all, the STORIES of what God is doing on campus!  Enjoy this year's video with a few of those stories...

We are incredibly thankful for these sponsors making the banquet possible, and in turn, making ministry on campus possible:  

Dear Friends,
 
First of all, thank you for your partnership in helping students find their way back to God.  I’m convinced that even in these uncertain times, God is still calling us to be about His mission of capturing the hearts of students.  Your support allows us to continue this work.  
 
Some of you may be wondering the status of the Fundraising Banquet.  Unfortunately, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel it.  In these uncertain times, we feel that this is the most responsible decision.  We’re heartbroken by this as we truly cherish this time each year with our partners.  
 
When it comes to students though, we honestly feel a deep sense of anticipation. Our staff team has been asking the question “how can we creatively be focused on Jesus’s mission?”  We believe that there is huge potential for innovation because of students’ digital literacy.  A few things CSF is doing right now: 

1. Engaging students through Monday Night Worship online using a format focused on interaction and engagement together (feel free to join us!)
2. Increasing our social media presence through daily prayer prompts, devotions and general encouragement to students.
3. Reaching out virtually to UIS and LLCC students through staff discipleship, student-led small groups and leadership development. We want students to still see themselves as disciples who make disciples!

 
Again, we firmly believe God has positioned CSF to continue the mission to students at UIS and LLCC.  But we need your help for this work to continue. 

1. Please pray.  Now more than ever, college students’ ongoing struggles with isolation and anxiety desperately require the light of Jesus.
2. Please join us online. In this season, you can get updates and be encouraged by what God is up to through Facebook (www.facebook.com/uiscsf) and on Instagram (uiscsf).
3. Please give.  Would you prayerfully consider giving a special gift toward the Banquet offering?  CSF’s 2019/2020 budget was planned not only around regular monthly giving, but also the special gifts given through the CSF Fundraising Banquet. Your gift enables CSF to continue to pay its staff and see the work continue in students.   One way you can give online at www.paypal.me/uiscsf

Again, thank you to all of you who have prayed, offered encouragement and assured us of your continued support.  This ministry couldn’t exist without you and we are thankful that God has given us each other to weather this interesting season.
 
In Christ, 
 
David Lasley, Director
Christian Student Fellowship - UIS & LLCC

Students spent a weekend at Little Galilee Christian Camp with students from Illinois State University and Western Illinois University for our annual Winter Retreat!  This year's speaker, Randy Gariss, challenged perspectives on wholeness and health in relationships, and started lots of important conversations for our students in thinking about their own relationships.

Fall is full of opportunities for students to worship together, serve the campus and the community, and show Jesus to the campus!

We have a TON of ways for you to connect with CSF over the next few weeks!  

It's hard to believe, but it's already here:  Classes at the University of Illinois begin 2 weeks from today!  About 400 new freshmen will step foot on campus for their first year of classes and in addition to questions like "How do I get to the classrooms in Brookens?" or "Will my icard work at Starbucks?" (the answer is yes!), there will be some other questions, maybe buried a little deeper, but still there.   Questions like,

"Is anyone going to think I'm valuable?"
"What is my life going to be about?"
"Do I have anything to offer the world?"

Christian Student Fellowship is a place where we hope students will find those answers.  (See, we've already helped with your coffee addiction!) .  We believe that all of us were created by a God who loves us and wants a relationship with us.  But humankind started looking elsewhere for meaning and love, and that just led to a place many in the world find filled with frustration and pain and emptiness.  CSF believes that God wants to bring his children back to that original plan for relationship.  CSF is all about helping students find their way back to God.  We hope you'll join us in that this Fall!