The Students for the Truth - The Local Church on Campus

Total Involvement

Unlike most other clubs which would provide for one small aspect of a student's life, the Students for the Truth offers a number of ways for students to become deeply involved with the club.

The Church in Berkeley, located at 2430 Dana St., owns some of the property surrounding it, including an apartment complex.  Currently, nearly 45 members of the club live in this cooperative housing.

Male and female members live in separate quarters to "foster the proper environment," said Paul Hon, a minister for the Local Church in Pleasant Hill and an advisor to the Students for the Truth.

Also, the club has communal dinner nightly in its student center, which adjoins the church.  This dinner is open to all those involved or interested in the club, and there are usually 50 to 60 students served nightly.

The scene at dinner is lively, with active conversation and chatter punctuated by the occasional shouts of "Lord Jesus!"

Besides dinner and living quarters, the club offers a complete plan for students to follow.

"The goal of the club can be seen as a three-part plan: spiritual, academic and community service," Hon said.

For the spiritual component, the club provides personal fellowship, prayer partnership, group Bible study and Sunday worship.  These programs encourage an intense study and appreciation of the Bible and of the particular teachings of the church.

"Most of the students here have seen the Lord and felt something of his presence," said Jake Jacobson, an Elder of the church and close advisor to the Students for the Truth.

The academic component is also a crucial part of the club.

"We want to make sure the students don't flunk out," Hon said.

The club's study seminar and tutoring programs seem quite successful, with an average 3.56 grade point average among those living in the co-op.

To encourage a sense of community, the club participates in big brother and sister programs and leads Bible study groups for high school and junior high students during the summer.

To help foster a good Christian environment, a number of families affiliated with the church provide a "home away from home" for the students, Hon said.