Our Story
God has been at work at colleges and universities in the 805 Area through InterVarsity for more than 70 years.
The first InterVarsity chapters in the 805 Area started in 1947, launched by pioneering InterVarsity staff worker Mel Friesen. Our first ministries were planted at Cal Poly SLO and UCSB. Each year, Mel and his family would travel up and down the California coast, visiting campuses and encouraging student leaders.
Our early ministry years are marked by stories of evangelistic risk. One year, UCSB InterVarsity students hosted a watermelon feed at Goleta Beach. The students were so determined with their invitations on campus that a third of all the students at UCSB heard the Gospel that day. For many student generations, the ministry at Cal Poly has focused on outreach in the residence halls. A small group strategy has been central to this effort. One year in the mid-80s, 427 Cal Poly students were involved in 41 different InterVarsity dorm Bible studies.
Over time, under the leadership of long-serving InterVarsity staff Rob Knight, InterVarsity chapters were planted at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara City College. Our witnessing communities on these community college campuses have provided a vibrant spiritual home for students during their time on campus.
In 2012, after many years of praying and looking for opportunities, we planted an InterVarsity chapter at Ventura College. Under the leadership of Matt and Bekah Meyer, we continued to expand our work in Ventura County, eventually starting InterVarsity chapters at CSU Channel Islands and Moorpark College.
For more than 70 years, InterVarsity has built witnessing communities on campuses up and down the 805 area. We long to see every student and faculty transformed, each campus renewed, and world changers developed. Join us in our mission on the coast!
The first InterVarsity chapters in the 805 Area started in 1947, launched by pioneering InterVarsity staff worker Mel Friesen. Our first ministries were planted at Cal Poly SLO and UCSB. Each year, Mel and his family would travel up and down the California coast, visiting campuses and encouraging student leaders.
Our early ministry years are marked by stories of evangelistic risk. One year, UCSB InterVarsity students hosted a watermelon feed at Goleta Beach. The students were so determined with their invitations on campus that a third of all the students at UCSB heard the Gospel that day. For many student generations, the ministry at Cal Poly has focused on outreach in the residence halls. A small group strategy has been central to this effort. One year in the mid-80s, 427 Cal Poly students were involved in 41 different InterVarsity dorm Bible studies.
Over time, under the leadership of long-serving InterVarsity staff Rob Knight, InterVarsity chapters were planted at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara City College. Our witnessing communities on these community college campuses have provided a vibrant spiritual home for students during their time on campus.
In 2012, after many years of praying and looking for opportunities, we planted an InterVarsity chapter at Ventura College. Under the leadership of Matt and Bekah Meyer, we continued to expand our work in Ventura County, eventually starting InterVarsity chapters at CSU Channel Islands and Moorpark College.
For more than 70 years, InterVarsity has built witnessing communities on campuses up and down the 805 area. We long to see every student and faculty transformed, each campus renewed, and world changers developed. Join us in our mission on the coast!
