Студенты Пайтсбургского университета собрались на вечернюю игру в «вайфлбол» и блины в рамках мероприятия Christian Challenge

The smell of waffles filled the air Tuesday evening as students gathered for outdoor games during “Waffles and Wiffleball,” an event hosted by Christian Challenge. The event, running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 18, had games like wiffleball, spikeball, volleyball and cornhole. Junior business management major Holden McDaniel shares the importance of Christian Challenge and getting students involved. “It’s really fun the opportunity that we have on campus as Christian Challenge to try and pull people away from the party life that Pitt State is so known for,” McDaniel said. “We’re truly changing that environment here. These events keep growing every single year and it helps pull people out of those rough patches you’re bound to experience in college, and they come here and find God.” There’s something for everybody at Waffles and Wiffleball. Freshman psychology major Lauren Crawford highlights all of the different activities taking place. “I mean you’ve got a variety of things, wiffleball obviously, and then spike ball, cornhole, volleyball, and soccer,” Crawford said. “And if you don’t want to participate in any of those there’s some amazing pancakes being made and plenty of people to talk to.” Going to events on campus and making new friends can be nerve-wracking for some students, especially when it comes to religious events. However, Christian Challenge makes an effort to not let anybody feel left out or alone when they attend events. “I’d say if you come here and you don’t meet a Challenge leader that shows you love, you probably didn’t come to a Challenge event,” McDaniel said. “I’ve had more people tell me they’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of support they get from people they don’t even know.” Freshman pre-med major Jared Tucker discusses one of his favorite parts of the event. “I love baseball, so the wiffleball is probably my favorite part,” Tucker said. “It’s all love. We’re competing, but it’s just about hanging out with the guys and having fun.” Christian Challenge also has a weekly event called “Challenge Night” every Thursday. Crawford hopes these events will have an impact on more students going to those nights of worship and fellowship as well. “I hope that events like this will help students make friends and find themselves in groups that will continue to participate in Christian Challenge events and even start going to Challenge Nights on Thursdays,” Crawford said. Tucker shares the importance of Christians on campus being around each other at events like Waffles and Wiffleball. “I think while we’re in college it’s important to try and find like-minded people,” Tucker said. “Being around the wrong people can start to steer you on the wrong path, not that it’s wrong to be friends with those people, but finding time to be around people that share a lot of the same ideas as you can help you get more friends and grow in the ones you already have.”