What would cause thousands of college students from across the nation to gather at a Christian conference during their Christmas vacation? One of the Passion conference’s main goals is to encourage students to focus their lives on an eternal perspective by letting go of today’s pleasures and obsession with materialism. Generally, that message is neither attractive nor well-received.
Not for these college students.

University students who jokingly survive their undergraduate years on Ramen noodles and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches collectively donated $1.1 million for global aid projects through Passion’s aptly titled Do Something Now campaign.

This project was designed to encourage students to exchange a life focused on themselves for one focused on God and the needy. The movement’s goal was to raise $500,000 — a goal more than doubled by typically “broke” college students.

I return to my previous question: Why? At Christmas, most of us generally are willing to toss a couple bucks in the red Salvation Army bucket or give in other ways. I certainly do not intend to discount the selfless acts of those who donate and serve in charitable capacities every day.

However, there is something very unique about a group of college students giving $1.1 million to provide 141 surgeries for Ugandan children born with hydrocephalus, to build 38 homes in Haiti or supply countless rescue operations for women trapped in sex slavery, to name a few of the causes now aided by Passion funds.

I was surprised at the lack of attention given to this movement, considering the large amount of money donated in the span of just a few days. These were college students with loans of their own to pay back, yet were able to provide over 340 small business loans to support individuals in Afghanistan. To give out of one’s own poverty instead of excess — yes, there is something markedly different about that kind of giving.

Why aren’t more people aware of the collective power of college students? Why is the media so disinterested? It is because the message of the Passion movement is not sugarcoated and is uncomfortable for some to swallow. It is not about giving just because it’s the “right” thing to do or because it makes one a “good” person. There is a divine reason for donating the money.

Giglio, the movement’s founder, summed it up in these words, “The fact that 22,000 university-aged young people would journey to Atlanta and gather for the name of Jesus is staggering in and of itself … but the fact that, as a result of His grace in their lives, they would pool their resources to the tune of $1.1 million to fund 10 local and global causes signifies a massive shift.

Yes, there is something different about this movement. Its message is clear. So, to answer my question — given by these university students — is Jesus and a desire to put faith into action.”

In today’s politically correct society, the mainstream media is quite uncomfortable with the mention of the name Jesus — it is far easier to ignore one of the largest national youth conferences and its global impact, than it is to acknowledge the student’s true motives for giving.

Regardless of one’s religious beliefs or lack thereof, there is something different about giving out of one’s own deficit rather than excess. It makes sense that a greater cause would stir someone to that kind of action. The human race is plagued with a variety of social illnesses and the Passion movement is one of many responses. I think it deserves some attention. Perhaps this faith in Jesus deserves a little less fear and more attention as well.

Indeed, that will be offensive to some. However, the faith of these college students put into action to help the needy certainly is worth consideration.

More than $1.1 million has to prove something.

Kristen Kitti is a State News guest columnist and an English senior. Reach her at kittikri@msu.edu.