Jessica Pafumi
www.intervarsitygreaterspringfield.org
This past semester, we have focused on transitioning our ministry from primarily planting to building sustainable ministries on each campus. We pray these ministries will nurture college students and young adults in their faith during these critical years for years to come. Currently, we are in contact with approximately 770 students across 8 campuses in the Greater Springfield. Each month, we host an Encounter gathering, attended by 100-150 students, where our prayer is for them to experience God in real and tangible ways. This past semester, we have witnessed 48 students make decisions to follow or recommit their lives to Jesus!
Each week, we disciple 40 student leaders, equipping them to live as a missional community. From the very beginning, our vision has been to plant an Acts 2:42-46 community—a community devoted to Scripture, prayer, fellowship, service, and evangelism. The Greater Springfield area is served by a dedicated team that includes one full-time Area Director (Jess Pafumi), one full-time staff member (Austin Rambarose), and two part-time campus ministers (Sam Chaez and Alexza Pares). We are also blessed with 20 incredible volunteers who invest deeply in mentoring students and growing their ministry skills.
Each of the eight campuses we serve has a fellowship of 10 to around 50 students, led by student leaders who facilitate weekly Bible studies and monthly outreach events. These campuses include American International College (AIC), Western New England University (WNEU), Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), Holyoke Community College (HCC), Westfield State University (WSU), Springfield College, Bay Path University, and Elms College. While some of these groups are officially recognized as InterVarsity fellowships, others operate under the name "Christian fellowship" due to ongoing campus access challenges that we would greatly appreciate your prays in navigating.
We continue to pray into the vision of Ezekiel 37:1-14, believing that this Pioneer Valley—a valley of dry bones—will be awakened and revived by the Spirit of God. As we pursue this vision, we ask for your prayers and support. Our current goal is to raise $60,000 in new sustaining support by July 1, 2025 to provide for the many workers God has called to this mission field and the cost of ongoing ministry. If you have any questions, feel led to give, or would like to share words of encouragement, please contact Jessica Pafumi at jessica.pafumi@intervarsity.org
We would also love for you to join us at our Annual InterVarsity Ministry Partner Brunch on March 22nd. You can find more details about the event and our ministry at http://www.intervarsitygreaterspringfield.org
Thank you for your faithfulness and partnership in this ministry. Your prayers, encouragement, and generosity make an eternal impact on the lives of students in Greater Springfield.
