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Monthly column on student work

CUs yield high returns on investments

Reports from CUs across the country show that the spiritual investment of church leaders, student workers, Christian writers, supporters, missioners and 'unknown' individuals are paying off.

Over 40 missions took place in Christian Unions during the last term. Hundreds of students heard the good news of Jesus for the first time. Christian students clarified their understanding of the gospel and have a new enthusiasm for sharing it with others. Individual students around the country have 'turned from idols to serve the true and living God'.

Peter arrived at a British university in September 2000. A Buddhist from Vietnam, he had no intention of going to church during his time in England.

But God had different plans. An elderly lady* handed him a leaflet inviting him to a Gospel Hall, and he decided to go along. Peter was captivated by the children's story, and so returned to the little Brethren meeting hall. For over 18 months, he heard the Bible faithfully taught, and his understanding of who Christ is steadily grew.

This February, at the university where Peter is a student, the Christian Union ran a mission week. As he heard again how Christ had died for him, he realised a decision had to be made. On the Tuesday evening, Peter prayed, asking Christ to be his Lord and Saviour.

Chao, a Chinese student, was given a Bible six years ago by his uncle. By the time he arrived at university in England, he had read through the whole Bible five times! He wanted to become a Christian, but thought it would take a year of application for membership, rather like joining the Communist Party. On arrival in England, he looked up the Christian Union and began going along regularly. He was befriended by Tom, a researcher at the university.

Tom had become a Christian some years earlier. He'd arrived at university, a British fresher with very little interest in God. However, some Chinese Christians on his course began witnessing to him. One evening, in his room in halls of residence, Tom took the Gideon New Testament from his desk, and read through Matthew, Mark and John. He was converted that night, and now runs an evangelistic Bible study group for International Students.

At the mission this year, Chao, weighed up the cost of becoming a Christian. He knew that if he were to be aligned with Christ, it would probably mean sacrificing the top job that he had hoped would follow his time at a British university. But it was a sacrifice he was willing to make. Chao also trusted Christ that week. God had different purposes than career enhancement in mind when he brought Chao to university in our country.

Missions represent something much bigger than a week in the life of a CU. These weeks of concentrated evangelism bring together the spiritual 'deposits' that Christians of different generations and backgrounds have made in the lives of individuals. We praise God for these investors who He is using to sustain the ongoing work of bringing students to know and trust in Christ.

Emma Carswell,
UCCF Communications Officer

* Interestingly, this lady is the daughter of W.E. Vine, author of the Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.