We’re grateful to have hosted the Duke Asian InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (AIV) student leadership team at Blacknall as they prepared for the start of a new academic year. For decades, Blacknall has had the joy of welcoming students for fellowship, training, and time together — including offering space for them to sleep, eat, and grow as friends.
During the retreat from Aug. 18 - 22, AIV leaders prayed for incoming first-year students while walking Duke’s East Campus, connected with new students as they handed out ice cream and water, and spent meaningful time bonding in our hallways, classrooms, and Fellowship Hall. This past Sunday, former Seminary Intern Daniel Ho, who serves as a campus minister for InterVarsity, and Duke student Joseph Yoo shared a Focus on Mission message recapping AIV’s time at Blacknall.
“The time we spent at Blacknall eating, sleeping, bonding , and team bulding will never leave us,” Joseph said. “So many of the events we hold and the ministry we carry out require the friendship that we built here at Blacknall.”
Joseph said the time at Blacknall with other AIV leaders was “by far the most formative and my most favorite Duke experience here” and gave the group a chance to come together with a purpose and focus “set before us by the kingdom of God.” Watch remarks from Daniel and Joseph on YouTube or click the video below.
Our connection with Asian InterVarsity continues to be a gift to our staff and congregation. Please offer encouragement and prayer for Daniel as he guides his student leaders, and be sure to welcome new college students as they join us in the coming weeks.