Denisha Fuller

Ethnography Report Stage 1

UWRT 1101: Writing & Inquiry in Academics Contexts I
Dr. Arnold
While participating and observing the Campus Outreach members and meetings Ive
learned a lot about how college students who worship God interact in everyday life. For one
thing, before and after every meeting there is a group prayer, which the staff member, Gavin,
leads. The prayer before and after the meetings is also something that happens in my bible study
group, that I am apart of with four other members of Campus Outreach. It doesnt matter if we
are in a Campus Outreach meeting, or going to an event off campus that doesnt directly
reference to anything to do with church, God is always on the minds of these students. Just a
simple task like driving somewhere has a Godly influence in it, with whats being played on the
radio. Sometimes Ive noticed that, its either on a Christian music station, or on some type of
teaching of the Bible. And if its on neither of those, its been music that people who dont
necessarily follow Christ listen to, however its music that doesnt involve a lot of
cussing/profanity, or sex or drugs. Another point I have viewed is that a lot of the times these
members are very easy to get along with. They arent like stereotypical Christians who only want
their way or the highway but theyre very easy to talk to and to relate to and for me thats very
important, because I feel very comfortable around them and not like Im being judged, like I
would be if I were to be involved with any other group. Last week, I remember in bible study we
were discussing the Hideous Doctrine, which describes hell and what happens if you go there,
and how horrible it is. For me, it was an eye opener because I never thought of hell the way the
doctrine was describing it, which was a bottomless pit, in darkness, where you cant touch or
talk to anyone, but you can hear their wails and weeping, and cries to Jesus. After reading it, we
had a conversation about it and how we felt after reading it, and one of the upperclassmen who
leads the bible study was saying how she would be in class and would listen to the way people
would be talking, and it made her upset to think that because of their actions in this life, they are
going towards an eternity in hell. Basically, one of the big attitudes that surrounds this group is
that they wish they could get more people to see God and to understand His word and to actually
believe it for what it is. Overall, I havent found any overt or hidden conflicts that pull this
community apart. Maybe its because I am still a new member, or maybe its because there might
not be any. But as of right now, it seems like everyone has the same agenda, and thats to make
sure that everyone gets the chance to learn the word of God and gets to experience His glory.
Pretty much the entire motive of Campus Outreach members/students is to get other college
students involved with God, and to help them see Him for who He is, and why we should put all
our faith and trust in Him.