School Year Ministry
During the school year as in the summer, we meet together regularly to encourage one another, grow together, and deepen our roots in God’s Word. While the specifics of how that works are slightly different during the months of September through May, our focus remains the same: growing in Christ together and learning to live out the truths of Scripture in our everyday interactions with each other and the world.
LIFE Connections
One way we fellowship around God's Word together is through LIFE Connections. Each Sunday morning at 10:30 am, we meet in the Douglas Room at the Arlington Heights Campus alongside other groups of people from our church body. Using provided questions, we dig down deep into the Scripture, discussing together that day's sermon and its relevance to our lives and praying for each other. Intercessory prayer is one of the most practical ways we can minister to and serve our church. As Paul instructed Timothy that "requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone," we meet together as students to go before the Lord, bearing one another's burdens and lifting up requests before the Lord so that we may live "peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (I Timothy 2:1-2). Each Sunday we spend time supporting one another through this ministry of intercessory prayer.
Discipleship and Hospitality
At The Orchard, we want your time in school to be a time of personal growth and development – not just intellectually and professionally – but spiritually. When away at school, it is important to have a support system of believers who care for you, encourage your faith, and help you see the relevance of your studies for the life of the church. That's why many members at The Orchard have opened themselves and their homes to encourage and disciple our students. Your education will involve many new experiences, but lonliness does not have to be one of them.
Activities
In order to build our fellowship with one other, we plan activities such as game nights, trips, meals, and other events throughout the year. By sharing these experiences together, we strengthen relationships and enjoy the authentic community of knowing Christ, who is our life, together.
Koinonia
Named after the Greek word for fellowship, our Koinonia fellowships provide an opportunity for our students to gather together for fellowship and the breaking of bread, just as the early Church did (Acts 2:42). By sitting down to share a meal, we interact with one another and build relationships, enjoying the authentic community created by the Spirit of Christ.
Shuttle from TIU
Each Sunday morning at 8:10, The Orchard runs a shuttle from behind Trinity Hall to our Arlington Heights Campus for all college and graduate students. The shuttle stays for morning worship at 8:45, for LIFE Connections at 10:30 and, when scheduled, for all our Koinonia lunches. The shuttle typically returns to TIU's campus by 12:45 in the afternoon. To ride the shuttle, just look for our logo on the side of the van, or contact Pastor Tim Baylor.
For more information about the College Ministry, contact us.