‘What’s stopping you taking the step to become a Christian?’ For Chris, a student at Nottingham Trent University, this Spring was the point at which he was able to answer ‘nothing’ – and give his life to Jesus Christ, writes Kitty Hardyman of Christian student organisation UCCF.
Chris made his commitment of faith attending the Word Alive conference alongside faithful friends from Nottingham Trent Christian Union who had walked with him during the past four years at university. The journey had been long, but surrounded by 800 other undergraduates and the wider church family, it was at Word Alive that the decision was set plainly before him, and he was able to say: ‘I’m in’.
Giving testimony at his baptism this Spring, Chris said: ‘I already felt so encouraged and equipped from Word Alive. Everything I had learnt over the years came together in God’s wonderful way. … I truly believe God was guiding me to keep investigating and seeking Him over the years.’
The years Chris refers to were turbulent: at just eight months old he was diagnosed with x-linked severe combined immunodeficiency and given just three months to live. From that point onwards he’s been constantly asking: ‘What am I here for?’
In March 2021 this question became even more pertinent as he underwent a stem cell transplant at University Hospital London. The transplant procedure brought with it the most significant physical and mental health challenges of Chris’ life. Yet, as he looks back at that period with eyes of faith, he can say with certainty that God was watching over him. ‘The transplant has given me a whole new life, medically speaking,’ Chris explains, ‘But I know that living my life knowing and trusting Jesus, I am truly living a new life now.’
Chris gave thanks in his testimony to his university CU for being ‘an ever-present help and encouragement these past four years’, displaying gratitude for the community they provided. The CU’s commitment to a whole life witness provided Chris with the opportunity to hear and explore the gospel, and to receive the invitation to place his whole trust in Jesus.
This term, churches across Great Britain have received students much like Chris, who have come to faith or continue to explore Christianity thanks to the witness of friends in their university’s CU. We are deeply encouraged when we hear testimonies like Chris’ of God’s faithfulness in winning students to Himself. We continue to pray for those students yet to make a decision who will return to campuses in the Autumn – that they will come to faith through the ongoing witness of CU.
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