Student leaders equipped at spring training sessions

Each Spring, the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) runs nine regional weekend conferences, known as Regional Forums, to equip new student leaders. Christian Unions across Great Britain hand over their leadership to new committees of students at this time of year, and many have never served in this way before.

This training helps new student leaders to grow into their specific roles, and to work well together as they lead their CUs to the glory of God.

On the first weekend in March, UCCF’s Central region hosted their Regional Forum, and Relay Worker Beth, who supports Oxford Inter-collegiate CU, shared her experience:

Students arrived at East London Tabernacle church on the Friday evening, many of them in force. CUs from the University of Essex and University of East Anglia (UEA) were among the well-represented, as were CUs from Oxford and Cambridge. Contrastingly, Greg (name changed) arrived and was the sole student there from Writtle College CU. He arrived feeling out-of-place and alone but quickly felt part of the group, enjoying the opportunity to meet students from other universities. Josie (name changed) from Peterborough CU (on a campus of Anglia Ruskin University) felt similarly – the sole member of her CU – and one that was only founded only this year.

Drawn together as one body of brother and sisters in Christ, Greg, Josie and the rest filtered through into the main hall for the first evening meeting. Director of Creative Evangelism at UCCF, Peter Dray, introduced a series on Jonah, looking at a call to leadership and a test of obedience. Students were deep in discussion afterwards. The reminder that God reached into the depths to save us, set the call of leadership in context.

The next morning, students rose early for a 7:30 prayer meeting. Central Team Leader, JP Sivertsen-Wright then spoke on why university is such an important time for evangelism – and how to work best together as a CU by realising current strengths and growing through weaknesses. Greg was encouraged and motivated, and came away excited to get more students involved in CU life at Writtle.

Seminars on specific topics ran throughout the weekend. Greg and Josie enjoyed the small CUs seminar where students had a chance to compare creative ideas. Amy (name changed) from East Anglia CU loved the digital seminar and returned to her CU full of ideas on how to grow their CU’s social media in a way that advances their mission to share Jesus with their campus. Other seminars included international student ministry, resolving conflict and talking to apathetic students.

By Saturday evening, connections had been forged between CU members and a group of students decided to go out into Mile End to engage in gospel conversations with passersby outside the underground station.

On Sunday afternoon, as students said their goodbyes, there was a glow in each one of them. The unity that the Holy Spirit brings was tangible and students went away knowing they are not alone but part of a big story – of God using the CUs for His purposes. Students at UEA and Anglia Ruskin Cambridge CUs left excited to reach more students, especially internationals.

Josie was hugely impacted by the weekend. She had been running most of her CU’s Bible studies online, but left encouraged to host them in person so the CU could pray together and meet socially too. The CU are now using UCCF’s Impact Group material in their groups to encourage students to ask questions. Praise God for Josie’s increased zeal: she returned to university and gave out 30 copies of the gospel that week! The CU now enjoys meeting in person and has seen the number of weekly attendees increase.