Crossing the great divide in evangelism

Let me tell you about Patrick. When I was a student, the chaplaincy centre (where the CU met) and the student union were separated by a narrow alleyway. Whilst you could almost simultaneously touch the two places if you stretched out your arms wide enough; culturally and spiritually they were miles apart.

In the chaplaincy we welcomed great Bible expositors, prayed, studied the Scriptures, and debated theology. On the other side of the great divide, they sorted out student accommodation, earnestly debated student politics, played pool and drank copious quantities of diluted cut-price lager.

Every year during our Events Week the CU would try and cross this great divide. We’d hire a room in the union, book a speaker and head out into “enemy territory”, feeling rather uncomfortable. We’d all known professing Christians who had made their home in the union, drunk heavily and negated any witness they had for Christ by merging with the world.