Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do some schools have ethnic-specific chapters?
Part of InterVarsity's purpose statement is to grow in love for God's people of every ethnicity and culture." Ethnicity matters to InterVarsity students & staff. We want to reach every corner of campus, and having multiple chapters helps us to achieve this.
Are you affiliated with a denomination or church?
InterVarsity is an interdenominational parachurch organization that works independently from any particular church oversight. That being said, we gladly partner with local churches, believing that both the local church and the parachurch are necessary elements of a healthy faith ecosystem in a city or on a campus.
Is this a sports club?
We get this a lot – and we get where it comes from! Two responses:
We are not a sports club, but instead are a Christian fellowship that seeks to establish and advance witnessing communities at colleges and universities. The name InterVarsity has its roots in England at the University of Cambridge as the British Inter-Varsity, “inter” meaning between and “varsity” as a British term for college level students.
We love student athletes and have athlete-specific ministry (such as athlete small groups), as we believe that collegiate athletics are an integral part of the campus. Athletes are also more than welcome to be part of our general chapters!