Fifty-four people gathered for a Lord's Day meal to open the school year.The community’s presence in the Triangle is rapidly increasing. The Triangle is a neighborhood adjacent to the joint campus of Indiana and Purdue University in Indianapolis (IUPUI). A seed planted there by three missionaries in the winter of 2007 is now a growing group of 18, including five freshmen majoring in biology, nursing and philosophy.
“Our goal is to provide a good place for students to go to college, a place where they can study hard, grow in the Lord and live in the community,” says Walt Seale, who leads the effort.
Freshman Chris Walker, a biology major on a premed track, says the urban setting, proximity to major hospitals and the chance to live in a household made IUPUI and life in the Triangle an attractive option for college. “Premed programs are very strong at IUPUI, but the biggest draw for me was common life in household, the Indianapolis branch, and the chance to go to school with a purpose: learning skills to build the kingdom of God.
Back, from left: Walt Seale, Jared Gonzalez, David Gruber, Chris Walker, George Kane, Isaac Bolduc, Meghan Couch. Middle: Emily Feeks, Irene Robinson, Andrea Delee, Laura Kane, Amy Rice, Pam Seale. Front: Jacquelyn Magill, Anne Putzier, Cathy Schwab, Patricia Brewer.The five freshmen and Walt and Pam Seale are among 10 community members who have relocated to the Triangle in the past year, and more hope to be on the way soon. Matt and Mary Beth Harris (northern Virginia) have announced their plans to move to the Triangle with their daughter Claire, provided that Matt, a construction manager, can find a job in the area.
The growth has created a housing crunch. One household of ten women is shoehorned into a four-bedroom house with two bathrooms and two refrigerators.
Patricia Brewer, who leads the women’s household, remembers starting out in 2008. “There was always room for guests, always a place to pray, and the bathroom was pretty much always open.” This year the women share bunks and desks, and it’s rare to find an empty room.
On August 21, parents and other friends joined the students to open the Lord’s Day and kick off the year. The group of 54 people included four men from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, who frequently make the hourlong trek to the Triangle for Lord’s Day meals and other gatherings.
A household of 10 women is shoehorned into this four bedroom house.Community members living in the Indianapolis Triangle are members of the campus division of the South Bend branch. The community also has a campus division in Servant Branch for students at the University of Minnesota.
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Living in the Triangle: Isaac Bolduc, Patricia Brewer, Meghan Couch, Andrea Delee, Emily Feeks, Jared Gonzalez, David Gruber, George Kane, Laura Kane, J-T Kelly, Jacquelyn Magill, Anne Putzier, Amy Rice, Irene Robinson, Walt and Pam Seale, Chris Walker.
Living at Purdue University: Brian Couch, Jr., Sean Couch, Gjon Kadeli, Abe Olson.
Responses
Dan Brewer says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:57 AM
Way to go! You are a great blessing to the neighborhood and the campus. IUPUI never had it so good.
chris urbanski says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 10:21 AM
So happy to see a vision become a reality!God is good.
Chris Urbanski
Sam Mertz says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Praise God for how he's growing the People of Praise at IUPUI!
carolyn hornbuckle says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Praise be to God for all the Campus body members and the growth you are experiencing.
Yvonne Gruber says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:35 PM
We were blessed to share the Lords Day with the triangle at the opening ceremony. Davids Aunt Pam also joined us and I believe was touched deeply by the spirit. She was telling everybody at church about the people there and how they are living out what we find in the Book of Acts. I'm looking forward to more reports from her and hearing about the moving of the Lord in the triangle.
Whit Au says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:25 PM
Praise God for what he is doing with our young missionaries and how He has open this great opportunity to spread His word and love. I think its exciting to see our young members motivated and mobilized.
Walt S says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:28 PM
We've got room for guests and students. We're planning to be ready for everyone the Lord sends our way. Drop me a line if you'd like to visit.
Steve Walker says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:18 PM
We are so proud of all you, living at IUPUI and Purdue. Brothers and sisters from at least 4 different branches! Have a great time together, but Chris - don't forget to study!
Mike Zusi says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Glory! May these numbers only increase!
Carol Govek says:
September 3rd, 2010 at 7:13 PM
Hallelujah, our Father, for making us whole, for binding us together, for the gift of your son! Hallelujah, our Father for giving us life in his death! Hallelujah, our Father for gracing IUPUI with this growth.
Marcia Bowar says:
September 5th, 2010 at 12:45 PM
It's always inspiring to see how powerfully God is working with the young adults in People of Praise. Your commitment to our life together encourages all of us to live our lives more fully for Christ and His beloved people. God is good!
Gloria Murphy says:
September 8th, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Thanks for sending those wonderful photos and article. You all look so very happy. I think providing a place to quietly study and live a wholesome focused life is so very important for young folks especially. Remember the song "Fill my house unto the fullest"? I was reminded of it when I saw your house, but hey,things work out where you have a will for it and a way to do it. Your article reminded me of the early days of the Sisterhood when sometimes up to 12 lived very peacefully at our first house on St. Peter Street. You justhave to go more slowly when you turn a corner so you can merge into ongoing traffic.
God bless!!!
Gloria
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