ANNUAL EVENTS
Raiders for Christ is all about family, so we have a lot of opportunities for our members and visitors to hang out and get to know each other while reaching out to the students on campus as well! Specific dates and times for the events are announced at our weekly Monday Night Devotionals and in the Raiders for Christ GroupMe messaging app.
FALL SEMESTER
AUGUST
Welcome Week (the first two weeks of school) are packed with events to introduce college students to RFC. The events are designed to be fun and engaging, to help students make new friends and learn about the community of RFC. Past activities have included tailgating, game nights, scavenger hunts, movie watching, local donut tasting, soccer, bonfires, and capture the flag!Â
Prayer Walk
Before Welcome Week officially begins, our students meet to place RFC yard signs around MTSU campus and pray over all of the university students who will walk past them for the next several months.
Picnic and Praise
For our first event of Welcome Week, we have a huge spread of food placed outside with lots of picnic tables and chairs. After we eat, everyone is invited inside for a night of beautiful worship music.
Tailgating
Students love tailgating together at the MTSU games throughout the semester, especially at games against big rivals like WKU!
Intramural Sports
As long as enough students sign up, RFC likes to enter a team into the MTSU intramural games including baseball, football, soccer, bubble ball, and more! Our students have brought home quite a few trophies, but more importantly, it gives our ministry a chance to interact with and reach out to other MTSU students.
Coffee House
For our final event of Welcome Week, RFC brings out fancy coffee-house style drinks, lots of snacks, and comfy couches for everyone to relax and enjoy time together while listening to live music performed by talented students. Games (and some karaoke) are usually played afterwards. We usually host a Coffee House night in the spring, as well.
OCTOBER
Fall Retreat
This is one of the best ways to get involved with RFC and make friends! Every year, students retreat for the weekend to spend time together studying the word of God and making memories. Students enjoy recreational activities such as canoeing, nature walks, and napping in hammocks! Other favorite pastimes are football, board games, and the RFC talent show on the last night! But the most memorable event of the weekend is probably Family Time, where the floor is open for students to share what is on their hearts with their brothers and sisters in Christ, whether it is a confession or sharing their testimony on how Christ has transformed their lives. Please contact Jamie Litton about signup and payment.
Homecoming
RFC usually participates in MTSU Homecoming events, such as banner painting and having a float (a.k.a. one of the guy’s trucks) in the parade.
Barn Dance
What’s more American than a barn dance? We rent a barn each year and invite international students to join us in learning these traditional dances! Students love dressing up and participating in the event, and seeing the connections grow between American and International students is great!
NOVEMBER
International Thanksgiving
RFC invites all the international students to come have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with us. Local churches make casseroles and desserts to make the event truly authentic. A brief skit is performed to teach the history and cultural significance of the holiday.
DECEMBER
Christmas Party
On our last Monday night devotional of the Fall Semester, students are invited to kick off winter break with a Dirty Santa party and reading of the Nativity Story. Fun is had by all, and tacky Christmas sweaters are highly encouraged!
SPRING SEMESTER
JANUARY
Gulf Coast Getaway
In early January, students travel to the Gulf Coast for a weekend retreat to Panama City Beach, Florida. The event has lots of sessions to encourage students in their faith, amazing acapella worship, and of course, there is time to soak up God’s creation at the beautiful (but often chilly) beach! Please contact Jamie Litton about signup and payment.
MARCH
Spring Break Mission Trips
Each Spring Break students lead trips around the country and the globe! The locations vary each year, but past trips have included Atlanta, Georgia; North Hampton, England; Jellico, Tennessee; Washington D.C.; and Woodridge, New York.
Annual Fundraising Dinner
RFC is a nonprofit organization that runs on the donations of individuals and churches. Each spring, usually in March or April, RFC hosts a fundraising dinner, inviting students and their parents to enjoy a delicious meal while we review the events of the past year. Alum and their families are encouraged to return as a reunion type event. Over 300 individuals attend each year and raise much of the funds needed for the ministry.
MAY
Senior Night
As the final devotional of the year, Seniors are honored and sent off into the “real world” in style! We invite our graduating seniors to sit on stage and share their favorite experiences while participating in the ministry, discuss any plans they have for the future, and pass on any wisdom they’ve gained to their underclassmen. In the end, we surround them with prayer and love.
SUMMER BREAK
MAY-AUGUST
Summer Break Mission Trips
Students lead more mission trips, generally longer, during the summer months. They often return to serve at the locations of our Spring Break mission trips.
Summer Devos
RFC Devotionals happen every Monday night, even in the summer! With many of our away for the summer going on mission trips, internships, working, and visiting family, we use the summer as an opportunity to meet in members’ homes and other fun locations that allow for more the intimate community of a small group. Locations and times are sent out in the Raiders for Christ GroupMe messaging app.
See What's Coming Up at RFC!
Check our facebook group event’s page for dates and details of upcoming events.