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 PrintableVersion Monthly column on student workGrowing a Christian UnionIf you want a long history of Christian work at university, and a wide variety of local churches to choose from, then Queen's campus in Stockton is not the place to go. However, in the last five years the Christian Union has grown from non-existence to one of the fastest growing groups in the country. Their aim is simple: to proclaim the gospel to as many students as possible. God has honoured their work and people are sitting up and taking notice; not just their fellow students, but other CUs in the North East too. Dave Birks, evangelism rep for Durham University CU, says: 'With so little support and financial backing what Stockton CU has achieved in the last couple of years is amazing. I wish all CUs had the passion for evangelism that they have.' New campusAround 1,800 students are enrolled in the two colleges that make up the University of Durham Queen's Campus, most of whom are on vocational or health-related courses. Opened by the Queen ten years ago, five years went by before five or six students got together to begin a Christian Union. Today the group sees between 25 and 30 at the weekly meetings, many of whom have come to Christ through the witness of the CU. Their first houseparty was a turning point for the fledgling group. Steve Hadley, former president explains: 'The CU was initially taken up with getting established; we'd never had anything like a houseparty.' The weekend provided an environment where they could encourage each other to be evangelistic, both individually and as a group. They had teaching from Colossians and thought through the UCCF aims of 'mission and maturity'. Steve continues: 'We left with a great understanding that Freshers week was no longer just an opportunity to make contact with Christians, but was key time for evangelism.' Since that first house party three or four students have professed faith each year, and others have resolved to take their faith more seriously. First missionEarlier this year, the CU took the plunge and ran a mission week, with main speaker James de Costabadie from The Bible Talks, Mayfair. As a result, six or seven students went regularly to an 'Explore' follow-on course: a significant number for such a small CU. This term, the CU put on a 'Question of Sport'-style event. Alex Harris, from Christians in Sport, rounded off with a gospel talk. Steve reports: 'Around 50 to 60 students showed up, the vast majority of whom weren't Christians. We weren't expecting anything near that number and had to go and find more tables!' Closer links with Durham have been a blessing to both CUs. This year, Stockton joined their houseparty; they pray regularly for each other; and Durham is hoping to give 800 copies of an evangelistic CD they are producing - for Stockton to use during Freshers week. Claire Simmonds from Durham CU says: 'It is easy for us to be comfortable with the 300 or so we have each week. Stockton have modelled to us what it is to be evangelistic in everything. They are small, but they've been focused and seen their numbers increase because people have been converted.' The CU Staff Worker for the area, Dave Gobbett, reflects on the contrasts in his patch: 'The others CUs nearby have a head start: Newcastle has a good church scene, and Durham CU has a strong history. Stockton has neither of these, but they do have a real hunger. They are eager to be taught the Bible and to share the gospel, and working there has been such an encouragement to me.' www.uccf.org.uk/regions/northeast
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