Word Alive: can't stop sharing

A student's email to his CU captured the mood of this year's Word Alive: 'Since I've returned home I've not been able to stop sharing with fellow Christians what I have learned. Please do the same if you have not already - let's encourage each other.'

He continued: '...but let's not forget the lost. I have not yet had the opportunity to meet up with my non-Christian friends, and pray that my inability to keep quiet will be present when I do.' Like so many others, he left Skegness having been spiritually fed and armed for the year ahead.

This year over 8,000 people attended Word Alive. The attraction of cheap accommodation and the programme of Bible teaching, made it a highlight of the year for many. Alistair Begg's morning Bible Readings from Revelation set the tone for the week. 'Accurate, convicting, fresh and exciting' was one comment. In his American anecdotal style, he combined a faithful unfolding of the passage with preaching from the heart that was refreshing and challenging.

Packed

Each day the Student Celebrations were packed. Worship was led by Sam Chaplin of UCCF, and 1 John was taught by a diverse line-up of speakers. Rico Tice, John Risbridger, Don Carson and Michael Ramsden looked at different reasons why we can be 'Confident Christians' with Vaughan Roberts closing the week by considering four fruits of this confidence: i) complete victory, ii) eternal life, iii) answered prayer, and iv) spiritual protection. He closed with a key challenge to the students, encouraging them to demonstrate their confidence as Christians through faith, love and obedience. Throughout the event, members of the student team were inundated with individuals wanting to talk through issues arising from the challenges from God's Word.

Overseas guests

World Mission Night welcomed guests from around the world to share needs and encouragements from their home countries in an evening of prayer and praise.

Christopher Jonah, Training Secretary for Sierra Leone Fellowship of Evangelical Students (FES) was among those interviewed. He spoke of what it meant to stand for Christ during the recent civil war: 'Sometimes there is a clear choice between fear and faith'. Vitari, a medical student from Kazakhstan thanked those who have prayed for his country, and the missionaries who had shared the gospel with his family since the collapse of Communism. He asked for prayer for the 21 universities in Kazakhstan which have no Christian witness.

A collection from last year's event paid for over 120 international students to be at Word Alive 2002.

Majesty of God

Issues of doctrine, the Christian life, church, CUs, professional groups, personal and family principles and practice were covered in the adult and student seminar programmes. A highlight for many was Don Carson's series on 'Apocalyptic Literature'. At the end of this series a final year student from Stockton College said: 'I feel so convicted of how little I understand the majesty of our God, and how I so easily limit Him. I've seen my salvation in a new light. I've seen something of how amazing it is that a perfect God sees me, a wicked man, yet was willing to send His Son Jesus Christ for me... how this should humble me, how it should crush me so much more than it does - it is beyond my understanding.'

Unbelievers

Each year Spring Harvest events attract significant numbers of unbelievers - friends or children of Christians, or simply those with an interest in Christian things. This year a 'Big Top' event was aimed specifically at this audience, at which Rico Tice gave a clear presentation of the gospel from Luke 7.1-10. 'It was refreshing for Christians, and hard to walk away from as a non-Christian', said one church worker. For those who wanted to investigate the Christian faith further, Toni Coulton of UCCF led a 'Just Looking' course, at which a number professed to trust Christ. Two of those who professed trust in Christ were international students, one from a home situation where she may face persecution for her new faith.

'To me, teaching the Word of God and getting the gospel out are the priority needs in the UK today. Once again, it did my heart good to see so many students passionately soaking up God's Word session after session. My prayer now is that this will be turned into practical Christian living that makes an impact in the environment of each person who attended Word Alive', said Hugh Palmer, Word Alive Leadership Team.

Emma Carswell

© Evangelicals Now - May 2002
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