On Oct. 17, Greenhouse Campus Ministry or GCM, a student organization on campus, will host the third annual outreach concert for students with games, live performances and food on the Flight Deck patio at 7:30 p.m..
This free event, entitled “The Real You is the New You” will focus on student experience and teach students about GCM and allow them to explore their faith. According to Greg Grzesiak, GCM’s college outreach director, this event will give students an outlet and start a conversation on how to connect with their spirituality and cultivate a relationship with God.
“I don’t want faith to be pushed on people but presented to students and maybe they can experience hope through [this event],” said Grzesiak.
In the past, this event was held in the Mailman Auditorium but with the success of the “Night of Worship” event on Aug. 20 at Flight Deck, the organization has decided that the Flight Deck patio would be a better location to house the event.
“Everyone is moving to and from this space. If we are going to do an outreach [event], what’s better than being on the prime location on campus?” said Leite.
GCM expects students of all faiths, religions and ethnicities to feel welcome to attend and break stereotypes of the Christian faith. A core value of this organization is for members to belong within their community before attempting to change or alter their personal belief system. According to Marcos Leite, president of GCM, “ [this event allows us] to be an open community that doesn’t compromise on our beliefs but welcoming enough [for students] to come learn and be a part of this event. We want students to walk away respecting our [organization’s] values, be positively uplifted and let people know that they are loved, welcomed and accepted.”
The event will feature a full band, special performances a and a special guest. The food will be catered by Chartwells and sponsored by NSU’s Division of Business Services. After the festivities, there will be an opportunity for students to connect with their peers on a spiritual level to question and engage in their spirituality. The event is meant to be a glimpse of the organization’s Thursday meetings but on a larger scale.
“[This event] is to expose students to the Christian message and [introduce] them to a community they can join on campus,” said Grzesiak. “I’d like students to have an experience like I did, to have an outlet that is going to build them up and encourage them. A community that is going to promote positivity and godliness.”
In the future, Leite hopes that events like this will set a standard of excellence for events on campus run by student organizations and how they can make a positive impact on the campus experience.
“[With GCM], we want to be a community that can positively help the students and give a sense of belonging,” said Leite.
