Every September, more than two million young people start their university adventure. It’s a season of fresh freedom, big questions, and new identities being shaped.
Spiritual openness is greater than you might think: 30 per cent of students say they’ve never been personally told the story of Jesus, 45 per cent would like to hear it, and 34 per cent say “maybe later." [1]
It’s a mission field that requires all of us to pray and act to bring hope to this new generation who are figuring out who they are, and where they belong.
Universities are not just places of learning; they are places where lives can be transformed for eternity. And it’s not just the job of student workers or the young adults' pastor. Whether you’re 18 or 80, whether your church is in a bustling student town or a quiet rural parish, there is a role for all of us to play in this harvest field.
A personal anecdote
My own journey of faith started unexpectedly when I was five years old, after a near-death experience in a fountain in the South of France. One moment I was diving in, and the next I was trapped under the water until a family friend yanked me out.
The experience left two deep impressions: a fear of open water and a belief that life is both wonderfully precious and very fragile. That belief has been a significant part of my life and ministry as I strive to reach as many people around me as possible for the sake of the gospel. And, as I got older, it prompted a question I couldn’t escape: “Is there any hope for life after death, or is this it?”
Winning over hearts and minds
Like many teenagers, I went through a season of wanting to deliberately and consciously see what life was like without God. I found only purposelessness and emptiness and ran back to Christ with a new sense of urgency. I discovered that I needed to give a purpose to my present reality that was anchored and inspired by a certain future reality.
Fast-forward a few years, and I started at Oxford University to read theology: a Christian, but one who still felt the battle over who would have authority in my life.
I found myself surrounded by some brilliant brains: fiercely bright, with a curiosity to understand and grapple with the complexities of the world.
Oxford was a "war of the words" - of who could win the most intellectual arguments. In the mud of the wrestling and debate in my theology class, I was constantly intrigued by the individuals who chose to read theology, not because they believed that its words have relevance to our lives today, but because they found the Bible to be a fascinating piece of historical literature. On a head level, they were curious and seeking; on a heart level, they were disconnected from its depth and meaning.
There were, of course, many others who were spiritually open. Being part of the university football team gave me regular opportunities to simply be present, listen, and answer honest questions about faith. The most meaningful conversations I had during my student years didn’t happen in lecture halls - they happened over a pint at the pub, or on the football pitch.
Some of those conversations were with an international student from China who had never heard about Jesus before. Over coffee, we had conversations about faith and Jesus, and he gave his life to the Lord. I felt very fearful in that moment, but I learnt that sharing my faith is not something to be afraid of or ashamed of. God gives us the courage and the right words to share, something I still need to sometimes remind myself of, over twenty years later.
The time is now
Of course, God has always worked through moments of conversation where His Word is shared.
The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 was reading the ancient words of Isaiah in his chariot, but didn’t understand them. And amazingly, God led Philip right to this man’s chariot.
What are the chances of someone reading Isaiah and someone able to explain it being on this desert road at the same time?!
What I love about this story is that we see God so clearly at work to bring one non-Christian and one Christian together, so that the good news of salvation can go out. And that’s exactly the opportunity that I see with our students.
The "quiet revival" [2] is becoming louder and bolder. Atheism, in its truest sense, is no longer a given. This is an incredible moment for us all in the church, as we ride on this wave of growing interest and intrigue.
At university, I learned some guiding principles of evangelism, which still resonate with me now. Through my work with The Word One to One, I’ve seen how simply opening the Bible with someone in the context of friendship can be life-changing. It’s not about our knowledge, elegance, or charisma - it’s simply an invitation to look at the Word of God for themselves.
And in a context where 25 per cent of university students are chronically lonely [3] and 33 per cent of non-Christian students surveyed said they were interested in reading the Bible with a friend [4], genuine friendship is the next best thing you can give a classmate or hallmate, second only to the gospel.
What I would say to my younger self
If I could go back to my younger self, fresh-faced and heading off for the adventure of university, I would encourage myself to see those around me as not just gifted minds to be won over by intellect, but searching hearts.
University is a unique place - where ideas, cultures, and worldviews collide in a way that will rarely be experienced again. And as a Christian, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share about the hope we have, for this life and beyond.
This challenges us all to see this as a real Kingdom opportunity; the mission field is right here and ripe for harvest. Whether we’re hosting lunch for new students, praying for teenagers before they move to pastures new, or striking up conversations in our local coffee shop, we can all be part of this story.
The "quiet" revival is stirring. Let’s make it louder. Let’s see a generation find God for themselves, and let’s be ready to walk alongside them when they do.
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