By MALLORY PARUSZEWSKI
Senior Reporter
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Forge is a group for college students to connect with mentors and other students within the Alva community. Forge provides a place for students to become followers of Christ and commit them into growing in the word of God. Forge is a place for Christian students to make a positive impact.
Jennifer Oswald, associate professor of education is the contact for Forge.
Northwestern Forge gained its name from Proverbs, 27:17 as iron sharpens iron. In other words, saying one person sharpens another. The group meets on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in the Education Center Room 100.
During meetings, they will provide dinner and have a brief talk over their theme. The theme for this semester is “Thriving Not Just Surviving.”
This year the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Forge group sponsored an event for the community and college students who wanted to attend.
The campus Forge group hosted an event by IF:Local, which is part of IF Gathering Livestream put on by Jennie Allen, founder of IF, and her team.
IF has its own theme, which is “Because Of Jesus,” and has a goal of spreading the word throughout the world. It has gone live all over the country and has reached 176 countries.
Feb. 23-24 marked the group’s 10-year anniversary. Its IF:Local group appeared in Fort Worth, Texas, for the celebration.
Northwestern Oklahoma State Univeristy Forge group, community members and college students had the opportunity to experience the celebration through livestream last week.
IF’s mission statement is “We exist to equip women with gospel-centered resources, events and community so they may learn more about who God is and disciple other women right where they are.”
“We are providing a place for hopefully women of multiple generations to gather together,” said Jen Oswald, who leads to the campus group.
Forge and IF are two groups that are available for anyone to join. Forge is in person on campus, and IF is a livestream.
They both have a goal of spreading the word of Jesus and teaching people about God. People can connect with other people and share their beliefs with one another. These groups are a non-judgmental environment and encourage everyone who is looking to connect with Christ to join them, Oswald said.
For more information about Northwestern Oklahoma State University Forge group contact Jen Oswald at jdoswald@nwosu.edu. or nwosu.edu/forge.
