Breakaway gives student a much needed respite during the week

With all the chaos and stress of going back to school, buying textbooks and being intimidated by long syllabi, there is a never-ending road of worry after worry for the modern college student. The dark hole of midterms and finals starts setting in and one begins to wonder if there is any way to break away from it all.

Every Tuesday, there is a group of Aggies who join at Reed Arena to do just this. Breakaway is a non-denominational weekly Bible study that offers an opportunity to come out and hear the word of God from a fairly objective point of view. Breakaway's website states that its mission is to "give students an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ and grow in a relationship with him. This is accomplished through praise and worship, hearing God's word and Christian fellowship."

Breakaway is not part of any one church, but encourages students to get involved with churches around College Station and Christian organizations and missions for a more in-depth analysis of the gospel.

"Breakaway is not trying to become a church and doesn't want anyone to believe they are a church," said office manager Janine Kirk. "It is simply a time for reflection and giving thanks."

Ben Stuart, the motivational speaker who dominates the hour long event, said Breakaway began about 20 years ago with a group of friends who decided to get together in their dorm room to discuss God's word. The Bible study has grown to accommodate more than 4,000 students in Reed Arena.

"Breakaway is a one-of-a-kind experience," production coordinator Jeremy McCasland said. "A&M is the only campus who offers this type of Bible study and brings in so many students."

He described its beliefs as based on common principles of one God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Breakaway sponsors two annual events. At the beginning of the fall semester, there is a Ministry Fair, which allows people to come to Breakaway early and visit various booths set up to represent numerous churches and Christian organizations. The goal of the fair is to distribute information that will allow students to gain a better connection with the spiritual community. In November, the GO! Missions Conference will offer students an opportunity to get involved in various missionary works from groups in the area looking for volunteers.

The weekly event is run by two full-time staff members and one part-time member. Breakaway can be credited to the 120 student volunteers who run everything from sound and lighting equipment to spreading the word around campus to bringing snacks for the band. Sophomore business major Jamie Stephens and junior education major Karli Reich are volunteers for Breakaway and explain that not only has Breakaway been "the best experience of [their] lives. It is also a place for students to connect on a different level, and is not trying to replace anyone's current church. [It] is simply trying to get people to read the Bible."

Executive Director Ben Stuart is the key speaker and leads every discussion with opening and closing performances from Andy Melvin and his gospel band. Stuart's message usually focuses on topics that specifically connect with students. It can range from grade anxieties to achieving success to emphasizing what matters in life. Students seem to enjoy his comical approach as every week Reed Arena fills up with participants.

Stuart has been the executive director since the summer of 2005 and is a former student. Along with Breakaway, he has been a speaker at youth camps and conferences, and attends the Dallas Theological Seminary.

More Breakaway Breakaway is 9 p.m. every Tuesday in Reed Arena and lasts about an hour. The Ministry Fair will be at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday and the GO! Missions Conference will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 11. For more information, visit the Breakaway website at www.breakawayministries.org.