Religion and school are often a combination that does not mix well in the same setting. However, at CSU-Pueblo, students are welcome to mix the two in a group called “The Life”, a group in association with the Christian group Young Life.
The Life originally started at CSU-Pueblo in 2007 but Young Life has been around since 1941. According to group leader, Jaimie Paradiso, Young Life was created with the idea that students should be able to learn who God is, in a fun and accepting manner.
The Life continues that goal by helping college students explore the adventure of life and the purposes for which God created them.
“It’s a great place to meet new people, find God, and find yourself,” Hunnell said.
The group meets at 7:27 p.m. Tuesday in the Greenhorn Hall lobby beginning with ice breaking activities to get to know other people in the group. Other activities include religious games and open forums to talk about God and religion said group member Lexy Hunnell.
“The experience is better experienced than described,” Paradiso said. “It’s laughter and fun with friends while exploring the amazing, full life that God intended.”
The group has about 30 members but is growing as the word spreads. Hunnell also said the group is open to students from Pueblo Community College, as well as members from the community.
On October 30, The Life will help host an event called The Great Pumpkin Chase. The Great Pumpkin Chase is a citywide, scavenger hunt that features between 800-900 middle and high school-aged students, along with their parents.
The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. for late check-in at Pueblo Christian Center’s activities center, located at 2039 Alma Ave.
“It’s a great way for CSU-Pueblo students to serve the community and have an amazing time doing,” Paradiso said.
The Life also has events planned for November, with their fourth annual Thanksgiving dinner. The dinner is designed to give students that aren’t able to go home for the holiday a chance to eat a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner.
The event has grown each year since its inception. Last year over 150 students attended the dinner said Paradiso.
The Life also has plenty of opportunities available to students who are interested. Paradiso encourages interested students to show up any Tuesday night with opportunities available ranging from mentoring at a local middle or high school, or in the summer, traveling to Mexico for various service projects.
For students who might not know what to expect when going to a group like The Life, Paradiso offers simple advice.
“The best advice I can give is come hang out with us. The Life is less focused on religion and more focused on making friends and experiencing a God that loves CSU-Pueblo students.”
More information about The Life can be obtained by contacting Paradiso through e-mail at [email protected].
