Parties in God’s name

by Dale Mackey

Fire Crotch, Sober Spoons and Free the Pete: three student groups at Grinnell with distinctive names. Add to that list National Jesus Incorporated. With a name like that, the club seems shrouded in mystique and controversy. Many students on campus are either completely oblivious to its existence, or know little about it. “Yeah, I’ve heard the name,” said Sarah Lu ’07, “but I don’t really know what it’s about.”

“Are you sure there’s mystique?” asked Sam Eckstut ’05, one of the group’s founding members. “ I don’t feel any mystique.” And yet clearly not much is known about the club. Members say they don’t want to commit the club to any single purpose, but rather “keep their options open” and allow for “many paths for the organization to take.” Membership within the group seems just as ambiguous as its function. “Well, membership is a little fuzzy,” said Eckstut. “I would say there are more than five members, but less than 15.”

The club is sure about one thing, however: it is committed to bettering the Grinnell community through “rockin’ parties.” They believe that through partying, Grinnell can become a closer-knit community, and they are doing everything they can do facilitate this bonding. “Parties make people love each other and just have fun…just like Jesus did.” Eckstut gives credit to another founding member, Ricky, for the club’s name. Future plans for National Jesus Incorporated include more parties (at least one more this semester), plans for a presentation about white collar crime from local criminals and business cards, which “are definitely the next step,” said Eckstut.

The club is currently awaiting news from SGA regarding the funding of the business cards as well as the incorporation fee. They have applied and talked to members, but the prospects look fairly grim. Eskstut is less than optimistic that the groups financial needs will be met by SGA. “There’s nothing worse than dirty looks from SGA senators,” said Eckstut.

The club also hopes to serve as an example to other ambitious entrepreneurs. “All you need to do is send $20 with a form to the state of Iowa with an off-campus address,” said Eckstut, “and you, too, can have your own sham corporation.”