When I first transferred to Tennessee Tech University from Carson-Newman University, I went from a small, Baptist-based liberal arts school to a much larger state school. At CNU, you had to go to chapel all semester, you had more faith-based organizations than you could count, and just about everyone there was religious in their own way. To be simply put, you had so many outlets to find what helped you to grow spiritually. When I transferred, however, things were completely different. Of course, there are religious organizations, but they are not as prominently advertised. I went from walking down the hall and seeing people doing Bible study to finding so many people who will get physically abusive if you believe in anything other than nothing. It was much more challenging to say the very least.

At The Newman, I chose BCM as my primary worshiping option. I went mainly because my friends went. There was an overwhelming sense of community there. I got to grow, see my peers grow, and even go on my first mission trip. Being an 18-year-old who was living away from home, this was exactly what I needed.

When I transferred to TTU though, things were a little different. I am not saying that my friends don’t have faith--we have all talked about it. Here, though, the entire culture of the school was just different. We're busy all of the time with school. I eventually started going to the BCM here on campus, and it was definitely a good thing for me. Things were different there, though. Not because of anything they were doing wrong, but I think it was more of me just expecting it to be exactly like it was before. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. It just wasn’t giving me what I needed.

Fast forward to the start of this semester. I was working on a project with some buddies and one of them mentioned the organization he is involved in, Chi Alpha. I had heard of it but had never given it much thought. After talking to him, I found that they might be looking to add a guitar player to the worship band. Having not been able to play guitar in a very long time, this was music to my ears. Before I even met up with the music director, I went to my first weekly meeting and realized that a ton of my friends were there--both band members and just organizational members. Everyone was friendly and wanted to meet me. For the first time in a long time, I felt that thing that I was missing: community.

That next week I meet the band members. Everyone was just so open and willing to let me right in. We talk, pray, and play. A few times in life, you are able to find somewhere and it is made very clear that you are supposed to be there. This was one of those times. Later in the week, I went to my first small group meeting. Just 10 guys talking, growing, and praying for each other. I had one of those "aha" moments--when I am talking about my life and these men are all going through the exact same things. Whether it was casual stress, relationship issues, or just things we ought not to be doing, they were going through struggles just like me. Being the only boy in my immediately family and growing up in youth group, this was one of the first times that I had felt that kind of connection with other people. I was just an awesome feeling no matter which way you look at it. Then just the other day, we were all eating lunch. I am meeting some new people, and as we are leaving, we make plans to go hangout and play laser tag. Now, this might not sound very exciting to you, but coming from someone who mainly just hangs out with friends to play games or do homework, this was the bright point of my day. It is just those little things that you really appreciate once you realize that they have been missing from your life.

Now I know that not everyone is going to rush to Chi and find their home away from home. Everybody has to find the spot for them to grow. I just hope that you find the place that makes you feel like I do with this one. I have only been involved for a couple weeks, but I feel like it has been a part of me all of my life.

C.Long