The Bridge - Koinonia student director leads 150 students, 28 small groups

Koinonia, in Greek, means “Christian fellowship” or “communion with God.” In 2007, students at Messiah began a ministry to facilitate small-group Bible studies across campus and aptly named it Koinonia. Now, nine years later, Monica Blair ’19, continues its work for current Messiah students as student director of the ministry.

“This fall, we had over 150 students involved with 28 small groups across campus. Ten of these were returning groups,” she said.

The structure of Koinonia is laid-back and nonrestrictive, which seems to gain the interest of a wide variety of students on campus. Students can sign up individually or with a group of friends. From here, they are gathered into groups of five to eight other students and a group leader. Then they structure their study however they want.

“Group leaders have free range of meeting times, meeting places and even what topics they want to study,” Blair said. She said sometimes her group would simply eat a meal together instead of meeting for Bible study in order to strengthen their friendship.

Blair joined the ministry when she first came to Messiah after her resident assistant encouraged her to get involved. After signing up with friends, she led a group and was hooked.

Although new to ministry leadership at the time, Blair says she has gained valuable experience while pursuing a degree in Christian ministry. In her sophomore year, she returned to Koinonia in a more administrative role, meeting with small group leaders weekly for status updates. “She has always been invited into leadership within Koinonia, which I think speaks volumes to how much respect people have for her character and skills,” said Seth Daisey ’18, the ministry’s assistant director.

Last fall, she took on the role of director of the ministry, representing Koinonia and facilitating relationships on the leadership boards. She invests more than five hours a week in the ministry.

“Monica is deeply committed to Jesus and seeks the Kingdom of God in everything she does,” said Evie Telfer, faculty advisor for Koinonia.

Despite her busy schedule, the junior says she has prioritized finding joy in the one-on-one meetings with other leaders instead of feeling constantly overwhelmed. “To be able to hear that groups are growing and that they are flourishing is a blessing. It is rewarding to know that our hard work is benefiting students and helping them in their friendships and their relationships with God,” Blair said.

She says she is confident that the leadership and administrative experience she has gained through Koinonia will prepare her for life after graduation.

“I know that these skills will greatly benefit me as I hope to work in youth ministry organizations after I graduate,” Blair said. “Pray that the Koinonia groups will persevere through spiritual dry spells and the busyness of the school year.”

— Erin Sytsema ’21