What are the prospects of this generation of 20s–30s following Christ into their later years?
Christian Unions across Great Britain are seeing large numbers of students express interest in Christianity, as they host events in the first weeks of university terms. It seems that many young Christians are living for Jesus in university and meeting friends who may be part of the church for years to come.
Going to university is a seismic moment for any young person – where greater independence is tasted and the ideas that one has grown up with are challenged in the cauldron of ideas that is a university. It is not a surprise then that many students arrive at university ready to ponder the deep questions of life and its meaning, and ready to seek answers.
Not what I expected
UCCF staff are reporting that unbelieving students are seeking to understand who Jesus is, with some already coming to a full profession of faith. Putting into practice the skills that they will use for a lifetime of ministry, Christian Unions host a variety of events aimed to give freshers a warm welcome to university life, where friends can be made for support and witness, and to see for themselves who Jesus is. Student-led events do much to challenge preconceived ideas about Christianity and Christians, opening channels to hearing the gospel. One unbelieving student to attend a CU event at York St John University responded: ‘I still haven’t changed my beliefs, but this was a really good event. Not what I expected from a Christian Union’.
Falmouth and Durham
Nancy Crewe, CU staff worker for Falmouth University, reports that the CU held two events per day across the fortnight of freshers’ welcome. Particularly popular with students, unsurprisingly, have been free meals offered by the CU, giving Christian students the chance to talk to freshers about their faith, and to invite their flatmates. A record 90 students have signed up to join the CU, and four non-Christian students have asked to join an Uncover study. Using the initiative of giving event attendees a sticker inviting them to come to another event, the CU members have been able to continue conversations outside of the events.
Freshers events are also helping students from Christian homes to commit to a faith that is their own. At the Durham pre-term getaway, a number of students ‘owned’ their commitment to Jesus for the first time, while having the opportunity to make new friends and to get connected with people from the local churches in Durham. UCCF North East team leader Peter Dray said: ‘It’s pretty unique. It’s difficult to imagine a better start for Christian students headed for Durham’.
Encouraging
With a full academic year still to come, it is very encouraging to hear of students seeking after Christ, and to celebrate those students who have already committed their lives to Christ for the first time. It is equally encouraging to see these young students, the church leaders and evangelists of tomorrow, living out their faith boldly and publicly for the sake of the gospel. Brian Weaver, Associate to the Director of UCCF said: ‘As a father to two undergraduates, one of whom is a fresher, I am greatly encouraged that CUs are giving such a warm welcome to all students, and have the confidence to speak for Jesus from the very start of term’.
There are many more stories from CUs all across Great Britain. If you would be interested to hear of news for a particular university, you can request it from the UCCF office by emailing prayer@uccf.org.uk.
