24-7 Prayer at Whitman

A few years ago a group of young people in England decided to pray non-stop for a month. Their community was so changed by the presence of God that the idea spread and is now reaching campuses all over the world. This movement has taken the name “24-7 prayer.” The basic idea is that a community picks a set period of time and space so that at least one person will be praying during the entire time. The dream behind 24-7 prayer is to turn youth culture back to Jesus. The IV Whitman fellowship joined young people all over the world hosting a 24-7 prayer room last month. The most exciting thing about the prayer room was how much younger students took ownership. Kaitlin Kirk led a handful of freshmen and sophomore students that transformed a freshman dorm room into a space that helped students seek the face of God. After the space was set up, students volunteered to pray in the room for shifts, even throughout the night. Included on this page are some of the prayers of Whitman students.

Jesus the Revolution

At Jesus the Revolution, Trent Sheppard, challenged students to join the international prayer movement that’s changing the lives of millions of young people. Trent heads up a ministry called Campus America helping start missional prayer movements on campuses around the USA. He gave a powerful mix of stories, scripture, and vision for campus revival on Friday and Saturday night. Students left the conference with a passion for campus renewal. 

During the conference, students attended seminars on intimacy with God, serving the poor, evangelism, and planning for life after college. Feedback from the conference showed that students want more training and ideas in how to talk about Jesus with their non-Christian friends. It seems that spiritual conversations and interest in Jesus are organically popping up everywhere. In March, Whitman IV staff and students will do training on how to introduce seeking students to Jesus through studying the gospels.

Whitman Students

Beth, one of the new Christians in the Whitman community, had a particularly powerful weekend at a recent regional conference – Jesus the Revolution. Beth comes from a variety of confusing religious experiences and came into college disillusioned and frustrated with God. In September she met one of the Whitman InterVarsity small group leaders who encouraged her to check out Jesus at a small group meeting. She started attending and was amazed by the person of Jesus and the love of God. This winter she responded to God’s work in her and has decided to follow Jesus.

At the regional conference, Trent Sheppard–the plenary speaker–talked about how the disciples followed Jesus and still didn’t fully know all that it meant. Beth began to weep as she shared about how freeing it was for her to know that she could follow Jesus and still have questions—it was the first time in her life a spiritual leader had ever told her this. Beth was also one of the students most excited about the 24-7 prayer movement and she encouraged other students to get involved.

Whitman Staff

Angela Rajnus and Kaitlin Kirk (intern) are InterVarsity Christian Fellowship staff leading the chapter at Whitman.

“With a healthy pride Paul referred to those he discipled as his joy and crown. Crowns symbolized honor and authority. As I look back on the last six years of InterVarsity staff this is a very appropriate image for us. We get to be part of the joyful and messy process of seeing students be formed into the image of Christ. We love our students a great deal and are proud of the people they are becoming.”     -Written by Angela Rajnus

Alumni Stories

Angela Rajnus first met Mike and Eric when she was their freshman Bible Study leader. They were both bright and interesting young men but difficult to tell apart (they are twins). This year God has drawn out their individual passions. Because of his love for the people and culture of Latin America, Eric delightedly served as a tutor at Walla Walla High School and secretary for Whitman’s Club Latino last year. Since coming to Whitman he’s become a young man who loves people and is a great conversationalist. Last fall, Eric received a Fullbright scholarship to teach in Spain for a year.  He’ll be beginning his Masters in teaching at the University of Washington this summer.  As a Spanish major, Eric would like to teach high school after he graduates from UW.

While at Whitman Mike has grown to see the value of being part of a Christian Community. He has a great mind and humility which God’s given him.  Last year Mike has served as a small group leader. He desires to see how God will use him to equip the body of Christ through education. Mike plans to become a professor and is attending Princeton Theological Seminary this year.

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