Religious groups spread the word in unique locations

Somewhere along the south Florida coast next week, amid the sun-bathing college students that crowd its beaches, Tim Freyer will stand -- and he'll be talking about God.

He just wants to talk. He doesn't want to push the issue. Maybe just jog some memories about the Higher Power. He's no novice at this "beach outreach," either. He took a turn at it last year in Panama City, Fla., and he'll be headed there again this spring break. And if it seems faith is the last thought on the minds of the typical spring breaker, well, that's not true, Freyer said.

"People there are just sort of chilling or hanging out," he said. "They're very interested in discussing religious topics."

However, Campus Crusade is not the only University religious group headed south for the break. A number of groups are sponsoring trips, hoping to help those in material and spiritual need. In fact, Campus Crusade will have some help right across town.

Members of New Life Student Fellowship are also headed to the spring break hot spot of Panama City. The group will spend its nights providing free transportation for students, said Johnny Pons, campus minister for the group. New Life, a Baptist campus ministry, did the same kind of work last spring break in Panama City, Pons said, so puzzled looks are nothing new.

"When folks get in the van, they ask 'what are you doing here?' " Pons said. "My response is, if Jesus was here, he'd be where the people are."

Students from Navigators are also headed south. The group will steer into New Orleans to aid the inner-city poor next week. Members of the Christian group will be staying on the Big Easy's most famous lane, said Ken Franks, an intern with the group.

"Obviously, Bourbon Street is going to be radically different from College Avenue," Franks said.

But that's the point. He said trips like these open everyone's eyes, a fact Matt Osborne can attest to.

Osborne (junior-business and science) is spending spring break in Haiti with members of the Penn State Catholic Community. He made the same trip last year, and he described his time digging ditches as "probably the best experience of my life."

Of course, something else went on. Friendships were formed, Osborne said, and knowing they helped others made the group feel great.

"I think everyone who went walked around on this natural high because it really lit your soul on fire," he said.