Monthly column on student work

1968. Pauline arrives at Southampton University to read History and Archaeology.
Her Christian contact so far has been limited to token church attendance at Easter and a local Crusader group during her teens. While not against spiritual things, she is looking forward to the independence of university, to new experiences, to living student life to the full. While unpacking, a member of the Christian Union invites her to a coffee evening in her halls of residence.
1993. Claire has exhausted all the 'Freshers' options at Birmingham University. Like most of her contemporaries, Christianity hasn't figured in her thoughts in her first few weeks as a student. Until she meets Ben. He's a member of the Christian Union. He introduces Claire to some of the girls in the CU who live in her halls.

2002. A letter arrives at UCCF from Pauline. Over 30 years later, she retells her experience as a Fresher: 'Through that first meeting I made friends with people from the CU and naturally started going to things with them. Although I first thought they were a bit fanatical, I was amazed at the way these people spoke to God as if he was their friend!' At a students' welcoming service at Above Bar church, only a month into her first term at university, Pauline trusted Christ. Her letter continued: 'What I am so grateful to God for (as well as saving me!) is the experience as a new Christian of sharing fellowship and service with Christians from a whole range of backgrounds - but one in Christ and seeking to witness to him together.'

As for Claire, she is now a CU staff worker with UCCF. Back in her first year at university she became good friends with Bev, one of the girls she'd been introduced to from the CU. Over the coming terms, they spent many evenings chatting late into the small hours about the Christian faith. Claire occasionally went to the CU, began going to church, and worked through the Discovering Christianity course. By the end of her first year of university, Claire had become a Christian.

After graduation, Bev joined the UCCF Relay Training programme and was able to continue discipling and encouraging Claire. A year later, Claire followed suit and a few years on they are both CU staff workers. Claire recently reflected: 'Through meeting that one Christian student in my first term, my life has been completely transformed. Every life choice I have made since can be traced back to that initial contact with the CU and the impact it had on me.'

Do you know of any students heading to university or college for the first time? Pauline only found out much later that her Crusader leader (who thought she was already a Christian!) had referred her name to the CU before she arrived in Southampton. New students can now be linked up with the CU on campus by filling in an on-line form at www.thecumovement.org/newstudents. Making contact with the CU could transform their time as a student. It may even be a step towards radically changing their eternal destiny.

UCCF's paper Student Link-up forms have been replaced by an on-line facility.
For a free poster/flyer (suitable for photocopying) advertising the student link-up service - ideal for using on church notice boards or magazines - please contact UCCF on 0116 255 1700.

First contact

Emma Carswell