‘Jesus is Lord, and I see my own sin’

Thomas McBride | UK & Ireland

Date posted: 1 Apr 2025

Josiah Stanley, Warwick CU’s president. Source: Warwickcu.org

It has been a season of vibrant, missional events weeks for Christian Unions. With around 100 CUs taking part, the gospel message has been heard by thousands of students, and hundreds are exploring further.

Students in the University of Warwick Christian Union were some of the first to hold their events week this year, which was centred on the theme of “Hope”. Halfway through the week, Ben (name changed), a CU member’s housemate, decided to attend an event. His curiosity had been piqued after he heard the events week was taking place and he arrived with questions. Interested, but by no means certain of the truth of what he had heard, he said to CU members afterwards: “I don’t know why God loves us”.

CU members were then met with the most radical change they had seen in the heart of a student. As Ben looked through some passages at the person of Jesus, alongside the CU, the Holy Spirit opened his eyes. He said: “Jesus is Lord, and I see my own sinfulness”. Ben accepted Christ into his life there and then!

Ben’s friend said: “It was a huge privilege to be there on the day my flatmate gave his life to Christ! I was sat at the table trying not to cry with thankfulness – the genuine joy he had in his eyes was unforgettable. To discover what God had been doing in his life even before we had met blows my mind. I’m reminded never to underestimate the Lord, and also to pray specific prayers – He always hears, and answers in His timing!”

Ben’s testimony is a snapshot of a wider picture of what God has done and is doing through the Christian Unions. Joyful stories of students placing their trust in Jesus have met the ears of UCCF staff across the country this term, and some have witnessed them unfold before their eyes, seeing the goodness of God in action.

“I’ve been really encouraged recently by 1 Corinthians 3:6-9”, said Ben’s friend, “as sometimes we plant seeds, and sometimes we water seeds already planted, but more often than not we never see them ‘bloom’. What a blessing it is when we can!”