This term has marked the beginning of the annual mission week season for the Christian Unions: weeks of high-profile events designed to reach the wider university with the gospel. In the absence of marquees and lecture halls, they used a range of tools to speak of Jesus: social media, Zoom, podcasts, post and even radio. But this year, it was their most unassuming and understated tool that proved to be the most powerful: friendship. Milla Ling reports:
After a CU member arrives at university, they have a three- or four-year window to witness to the students they meet. During these years of friendship they can demonstrate the reality of what is spoken about at evangelistic events. And, in the context of loving relationship, can gently challenge where a visiting speaker may not be able to.
It’s often a less glamorous part of CU mission, but a fruitful one.
This has been seen especially clearly this year. While it has been harder for CUs to meet new students due to the pandemic, existing friendships have had the chance to deepen as they’ve journeyed together through hardship. As a result, several have seen long-term friends finally come into new life!
‘I don’t want to put it off any longer’
Katherine (name changed) had previously explored Christianity with her friend in Cambridge Inter-Collegiate CU, but stopped after becoming distracted by her studies. After receiving an invite to come to their Story mission week this year however, she confessed she had ‘seen how Christians lived and didn’t want to put off her investigations any longer’ – she gave her life to Christ while on the phone to her friend a few days later!
‘I think it’s all true’
Georgie became friends with Heriot-Watt CU member Megan (names changed) after moving into the room next door as a fresher. For years, Georgie went to CU events with Megan, came to her church and chatted to her about Jesus – however it was only this year that things started to make sense. As her curiosity deepened, she watched a documentary on the historical evidence for Jesus and called Megan in February saying: ‘I think it’s all true, I’m a Christian now!’
Three years later
In 2018, Becs came to a York CU lunchtime event entirely on her own where she made friends with CU member Rachel, who then took her to every mission week for the next three years! Wonderfully this year, on the final event of their online mission week Life, Becs decided all she had heard was true and entrusted her life to Christ.
We praise God for using these friendships for His glory.
