How Native Intervarsity is helping college students follow Christ and honor tradition.
Megan Murdock Krischke helped launch and grow Native Intervarsity for more than ten years, but, as a bi-cultural woman, it took her time to embrace her own identity as a Native American. Although she is a member of the Wyandotte Nation, with Cherokee, Irish, and Scottish heritage, she considers herself a cultural learner to Native American life. She sees her mixed background as beneficial to her work in Native ministry. “Being bi-cultural allows me to be a bridge in some ways. I have a really good understanding of how InterVarsity works and how majority church culture works,” Krischke said. “But then I’ve also invested time in cultural learning, and have the authority that comes with being a tribal member that allows me to enter those communities.”
Krischke, 40, began her work in Native Intervarsity with her husband, Will, when they planted a Native-specific chapter at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. She recently took over as InterVarsity’s National Native Ministries Coordinator and, alongside a team of four coaches, ministers to eight campuses in seven states and one in Canada. The work has paid off. “This year, Native InterVarsity reached more Native American and Alaskan Native students than ever before in our history,” says Krischke. “We've seen a 49 percent growth in the number of these students participating in our fellowships over the last year. I'm so excited that our Creator is making the goodness of his son Jesus known among the First People of our land.”
CT spoke with Krischke from her home in Durango.
Is there a conflict between Christianity and Native American traditions?
Every culture has things that are beautiful and reflect the image ...
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