Waynesburg students to travel to Pittsburgh for annual retreat
Waynesburg University has had a tradition of faith since 1849, and every day students find new ways to grow their faith in God.
The university is offering students another Christian-based opportunity to attend Jubilee, a conference held in Pittsburgh for college students looking to restore or refresh their faith.
According to their website, “Jubilee is a life changing experience that teaches you God really does care about everything you do, and you get to witness a small portion of a rising generation of passionate believers gather together in faith as they grow and prepare to take on the world.”
This is the 40th anniversary of Jubilee, and Waynesburg University has been participating since the very beginning. This year the event is taking place over the weekend of Feb. 19 to 21 at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh.
The event itself draws over 3,000 students from over 120 different colleges with 40 of those students representing Waynesburg this year.
Jubilee is organized by the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), an organization that Waynesburg University has a lasting relationship with.
Russ Schneider came to Waynesburg University as a member of the CCO and continues to work for them through the Resident Director position in Thayer Hall. His job with the CCO is to recruit people to come to know Jesus and attend Jubilee.
According to the CCO’s website, “The CCO calls college students to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives.”
Schneider does just that while at Waynesburg.
“Jubilee is one component that I am responsible for on the University’s campus that no other staff on campus takes part in,” said Schneider.
More than 50 speakers will be in attendance over the course of the weekend. Students have the option to go to them all or not.
The fee for the event has gone up as it rapidly approaches. Early costs for the event were $219, but if one were to purchase tickets on the day of the event, the price would be $289. However, money shouldn’t be an issue when it comes to Jubilee according to Schneider. Scholarships are available, but there is more than that.
“There are people out there who want you to go, and we can make it work,” said Schneider. “The event itself can have a large impact on college students.”
Schneider, who is originally from New Jersey, attended Jubilee through the CCO at Arcadia University where he attended college. He attended the event during his junior and senior year and regrets not going prior to that.
“Jubilee was definitely a way that God transformed my life, and I wouldn’t be here without the use of that conference,” said Schneider. “Its worth going to at least once.”
Austin Anderson, a Thayer Hall resident assistant and junior sports broadcasting major, was hesitant about going last year, according to Schneider.
“Someone like Anderson was even weary about going, not knowing what to expect,” said Schneider.
Anderson will be going back this year for his second time and is eager about attending.
“Many conferences out there are basic, which is good, but Jubilee is one that can bring you up to the next step, how to make an impact in society while being a Christian,” said Anderson.
Jubilee is a time for students to become connected with Jesus.
“It’s a conference meant for college age students, whether they are Christian or not, to come to know what it means to serve Jesus Christ with their entire lives,” said Schneider. “It’s academics, it’s social life, it’s family – every area of your life.”
While at the event, Schneider and the other staff will be around to talk with anyone who needs it.
Though the numbers might be low in attendance for this year from Waynesburg, which usually brings out 50-100 students, Schneider said that isn’t going to be a problem.
“We have a lot of quality students – leaders on campus that are going,” said Schneider. “We have [resident assistants], we have [campus ministry assistants], we have people on senate, people that are involved in many avenues on campus.”
By having student leaders attend the event, they are more likely to come back to campus and recruit for future events.
“Its overwhelming in a good way for [Christians] to see that there is a future for us,” said Schneider.
It isn’t too late to sign up, and those who are interested in attending should reach out to Schneider by email at rschneid@waynesburg.edu.