About Us
Our Story
InterVarsity in the Twin Cities has been around since 1939, with the first chapter starting at the University of Minnesota.
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In our 80 year legacy in the Twin Cities, InterVarsity has continued to develop student leaders for their campus years and beyond, with our alumni going on to become marketplace leaders, church planters, influential academics, and important community members.
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In different decades, our reach in the cities has varied, but in the past two years alone, we've delighted in seeing three new campuses planted or replanted with InterVarsity ministry. And, we have even more campuses in the works, ready to start InterVarsity ministry. We're excited to continue to follow what the Lord is doing here in the cities, and we'd love to have you join us.
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Our Values & Mission
InterVarsity is a vibrant campus ministry that establishes and advances witnessing communities of students and faculty. What are our values?
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SCRIPTURE
In every one of our campus ministries, at community colleges, elite private schools, at the University of Minnesota, you will find thoughtful and transformative Scripture study. We love seeing students grow in their faith and come to faith through God's Word.
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COMMUNITY
We value wholehearted, authentic community. In the midst of a college environment that can be lonely or isolating, we want students to experience a Christian community that will form and shape their college years.
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
We're convinced that college students are some of the most wonderful people in the world, and we know that they are the future generations of leaders in our world, too. We want to develop students as faith filled leaders during their college years in a way that will impact the rest of their lives.
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MULTIETHNICITY
Just as the Kingdom of God represents every tribe, tongue, and nation, we long for our ministries to do so, as well. We are intentional to develop the ethnic identity of our students, to cross cultures well, and to work together in our diversity for the glory of God.
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What Is InterVarsity?
InterVarsity is a vibrant campus ministry that establishes and advances witnessing communities of students and faculty at colleges and universities across the U.S. with chapters on more than 700 campuses nationwide. For over 75 years, InterVarsity has had a vital presence on hundreds of college campuses, courageously proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior, engaging in discipleship around Scripture, and loving people of every ethnicity and culture. We feel called to reach every corner of every campus with the real hope of Christ, inviting students and faculty to follow Jesus with their whole lives.
Meet Our Team
Amy Fredman Staley
METRO MINNESOTA SENIOR AREA DIRECTOR
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Amy graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with degrees in Religious Studies and English Literature, and she also holds a Master of Divinity from Bethel Seminary. She grew in up northern Minnesota, but she served on staff with InterVarsity in Wisconsin for six years before moving to the Twin Cities. Her favorite part of working in campus ministry is seeing the development of innovative, faithful leaders as they grow more like Jesus. She is married to Neal and they have two daughters. She loves the Twin Cities, especially anywhere you can see the Minneapolis skyline or try a new restaurant.
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Lucas Wencl
ASSOCIATE AREA MINISTRY DIRECTOR, ​
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA & HAMLINE
Lucas graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a degree in Digital Marketing & Analytics and an Integrated Strategic Communications certificate. He served on staff in Wisconsin for a year before moving to the Twin Cities, and he has loved learning how to serve campuses here. His favorite part of working in campus ministry is getting to walk alongside and disciple young adults as they learn what life looks like in this stage. Lucas and his wife Maddy grew up in the Twin Cities, and he loves getting to enjoy time with his family and attend any and all Minnesota sporting events.
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Amy Wells
TEAM LEADER: ST. OLAF COLLEGE​
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Amy graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with degrees in Mathematics and Sociology and is currently pursuing an MDiv at Bethel Seminary. She served on staff with InterVarsity at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater for five years before moving to the Twin Cities, and her favorite part of working in campus ministry is seeing students grow in living counterculturally for Jesus and in their multiethnic journeys. She loves finding fun places to hike in the Twin Cities, like Lebanon Hills Regional Park.
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Taylor Himmerich
CAMPUS STAFF MINISTER: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA & CENTURY COLLEGE​
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Lucas graduated from University of Minnesota Duluth in second mathematics. She served with InterVarsity for four years in Duluth before moving to the Twin Cities, and she loves seeing students encounter the beauty and depth of God's word. She was singificantly impacted by Scripture study as a student, and it's a joy for her to see the next generation of students experience that, as well. She and her husband Michael enjoy finding new restaurants in the cities and she also loves trying out art classes in the Twin Cities.
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Elisa Berry Fonseca
CAMPUS STAFF MINISTER:
MACALESTER COLLEGE
Elisa graduated from Macalester College and then continued in her education to gain a Master of Religion from Yale Divinity School and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota. Before coming on staff with InterVarsity, she worked as an artist, tutor, adjunct art history professor, stay-at-home mom, and church planter. She loves seeing students discover their unique gifts and step into the exciting adventure of serving God, and she loves experiencing Gods presence when we open God's word and worship together. Her favorite place in the Twin Cities is with students or at home with her husband Ricardo and their two children.
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Elie Kayobe
CAMPUS STAFF MINISTER:
ST. OLAF COLLEGE & CARLETON COLLEGE
Elie was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo and came to the US to study physics and philosophy at St. Olaf College. He is now pursuing a Master of Divinity with a concentration in church planting at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He loves campus ministry because it gives him the opportunity to talk about Jesus with students from all backgrounds - those who are hearing the Gospel for the first time and those who grew up in church. When he gets the chance, he enjoys exploring the diverse food scene in the Twin Cities and visiting the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
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Hannah Rasmussen
GRADUATE & FACULTY MINISTRY: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA​
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Hannah grew up in Tanzania and Kenya, studied English and Sociology at Macalester College, and has a Master of Divinity from Africa International University in Kenya.She also works part-time as an acquisitions editor for Oasis International, publisher of the Africa Study Bible. She is thrilled to walk alongside graduate students and faculty as they integrate faith into their vocations. She also loves an excuse to have tea, brunch, or enjoy Minnesota's lakes and rivers.
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What We Believe
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WE BELIEVE IN...
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The only true God, the almighty Creator of all things,
existing eternally in three persons
Father; Son; and Holy Spirit; full of love and glory.
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The unique divine inspiration,
entire trustworthiness,
and authority of the Bible.
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The value and dignity of all people:
created in God’s image to live in love and holiness,
but alienated from God and each other because of our sin and guilt,
and justly subject to God’s wrath.
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Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine,
who lived as a perfect example,
who assumed the judgment due sinners by dying in our place,
and who was bodily raised from the dead and ascended as Savior and Lord.
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Justification by God’s grace to all who repent
and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
The indwelling presence and transforming power of the Holy Spirit,
who gives to all believers a new life and a new calling to obedient service.
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The unity of all believers in Jesus Christ,
manifest in worshiping and witnessing churches
making disciples throughout the world.
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The victorious reign and future personal return of Jesus Christ,
who will judge all people with justice and mercy,
giving over the unrepentant to eternal condemnation
but receiving the redeemed into eternal life.
To God be glory forever.
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ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OCTOBER 20, 2000
