Students invited to ‘uncover Jesus' with their friends

“See for yourself” – that’s been the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship’s (UCCF’s) invitation through its Uncover publication series. The first Uncover, released in 2011, explored Luke’s Gospel and was followed by Uncover John (2015) and Uncover Mark (2018). This year marks the next release in the family – a new version of Uncover Luke.

“How much do your friends know about the most famous Person in world history?” UCCF writes. Designed to help students and their friends discover more about Jesus and the life He offers, Uncover Luke (2025) was launched at this year’s national Forum conference where more than 1,000 students gathered to encourage one another, share Christian Union mission ideas, and pray together.

en was invited to the Uncover Luke launch at Forum, where UCCF CEO Matt Lillicrap said: “We know that as people open God’s Word, the Holy Spirit goes to work, and Jesus walks right off the pages and into their hearts. This has happened over and over again, as students have sought to take a Gospel and open it with those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus. This resource, which is [tailored to] students, is designed to enable people to meet the Lord Jesus.”

Ben Harding, UCCF’s Director of Ministry Operations, speaking from the heart of The Quinta Christian Centre in Shropshire, where the launch was taking place, said: “The question is, ‘Why would we relaunch?’ ‘Why would we redo a resource that was launched 14 years ago?’ And the simple answer is – because everything has changed.”

Harding referenced the Bible Society’s Quiet Revival report, which suggests that Generation Z (a generation that encompasses those who are currently of the typical university age of 18-21) displays an increased openness to Christianity – findings that reportedly mirror a YouGov report. “It’s not necessarily that those people are interested in the Lord Jesus, it’s not necessarily that those people are turning up at church, but rather that those people are spiritually open. When asked the question, ‘Do you believe there is a God?’ the answer is ‘yes,’” Harding went on to explain.

UCCF shared that the development of Uncover Luke has been influenced by the changes in the UK’s student context: a reported increase in spiritual openness among Generation Z; greater loneliness due to a reduction in community-focused spaces in student accommodation; and the impact of post-pandemic online learning.

The resource consists of studies that guide readers through key themes of Luke’s Gospel, encouraging personal reflection and group discussion.

Thomas McBride, UCCF Communications and Supporter Relations Officer, told en: “It was a joy to meet students throughout the week [at Forum] as they came to the UCCF mission hub stand, and to hear their stories of how they are already sharing the gospel with friends, as well as how they plan to use the new Uncover resource.

“Across my time on the hub stand, and my time interviewing students on camera talking about the coming year, I can honestly say this is the most enthusiastic cohort of student leaders we've had in a long time.”

William Vyner-Brooks is one of those student leaders; he is Co-President of The University of Manchester Christian Union (UoM CU). He told en: “It’s really good to be able to serve, to see the effect of God’s work on campus and to share His Word.”

“My heart is full, and hopeful, that the Lord will use the 1,000 students who came to Forum this year for His glory and gospel purposes this academic year - especially now they are armed with thousands of copies of Uncover Luke,” McBride concluded.