Pain, fullness, and hope.  

When three Arabic letters are “rearranged”, they can make these three different words. It was this emotive blend that infused content for around 200 students at a recent regional conference in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. 

Amid war, violence, political instability, economic insecurity, and persecution, the students from nine different countries had much to lament. But they were also encouraged that the fullness of Christ brings hope and healing. 

These candid comments give a sense of their experiences:   

“I was a very committed member of another faith. So, when a pastor I met gave me a Bible, I only read it to prove it all wrong. But Jesus opened my eyes. Now I’ve become his follower, and my goal is to bring to Jesus the many people around me who are also searching and dissatisfied. Even though it’s very dangerous, I’m constantly seeing people put their trust in Jesus.”  (Hassan from B city) 

“In one of the talks, we were encouraged as a Christian minority not to leave our country so that the Christian presence doesn’t further decrease. I agree with that. But it seems impossible – as an English teacher working two jobs, I don’t even earn enough to make ends meet.” (Malika from Cairo) 

“I love Jesus more than anything and want to be a witness for him in my community. But the suffering I experienced as a child in my family, a terrible explosion in my city, and recent months of bombing – all this has left its mark on me. I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Can Jesus heal me?” (Rabiaa from Lebanon) 

“I was allowed to come here with some other female students. All men under 40 were denied visas. For most of us, this is our first trip outside the country. It’s the first time we’ve seen the sea or touched sand, even though it’s not that far from our hometown. Our lives are really complicated, and our presence as Christians in the West Bank is made very difficult. How long can we endure? Which of our brothers and sisters outside our region are interested in us?” (Selima from Palestine – pictured above) 

“With two fellow believers, I made the dangerous journey from our country. We drove through the desert for 33 hours so that we could leave without attracting attention. And what a special experience it has been to praise God together with so many Christians, to listen to his Word, to share with one another. Please pray for us, for our safety as Christians, and for our witness to Jesus to bear fruit.” (Karim from a country on the Arabian Peninsula) 

(Names changed to protect identities) 

A team of 10 staff and students from North America were off to Georgia – but not the one in the United States. They were heading for the Caucasus. They’d been invited to join with IFES movements from across Eurasia for Formacion, a 10-day gathering for student leaders. 

“Missions” just got real! 

“It was an exciting way to walk and pray alongside our students and staff who were interested in cross-cultural exposure and seeking God’s heart for every nation. It was a beautiful exploration opportunity – to learn firsthand from IFES movements in Eurasia, to serve them, to develop relationships with them.”   

So says co-leader of the team, Liz Dolan, who previously spent two years serving in the region through InterVarsity/USA’s Link program. She mentions that the North American team was struck by how the Eurasian movements were finding creative ways to overcome various barriers to evangelism. 

One team member commented: 

“The way that staff workers in sensitive countries had faith and still went about doing what they were doing really impacted me. It made me wonder about our situation in the US and think: ‘Why should I be afraid when I have brothers and sisters in Eurasia who are not afraid of what they’re doing?”   

Another added: 

“That place in the Bible that talks about living by the law unless it gets in the way of what God says to do – now I’ve met people who actually have to do that – do stuff that’s illegal!” 

Sergei, Regional Secretary for Eurasia, says it was a blessing to watch the North American team take part in all the activities, making friends and sharing lives. 

“At this Formacion, we rediscovered the beauty of short-term trips. For hosts, it’s a great opportunity to receive visitors and share about our countries. For visitors, it’s a listening journey, watching for how God might be developing a longer-term vision for international ministry.” 

In addition to eye-opening conversations, Liz notes how God also spoke to their team through Scripture:  

“God very personally met our team, with many finding clarity and direction in their lives. Some were affirmed in their current ministry, while others were spurred on to explore how to engage more deeply with the nations.”  

Team members, including a staff worker and student from IVCF Canada, took many memories home: students from warring nations reconciled through Christ; the joyous diversity of “culture night”; and, for one, the delight of worshipping in Russian with other Russian-speakers for the first time. 

Being part of a global fellowship became thrillingly real – a reality they’re now eager to share: 

“We can get absorbed in what’s happening on our side of the world – except for when we have a slide at a conference saying ‘pray for these people’. So I want to bring a greater awareness of what God’s doing.” 

“My university group prays for one of these sensitive countries using the same picture and prayer requests every time. But here we got to shoot 16 minutes of video – real, specific prayer requests, actual faces and names. I’m really excited to bring that to our entire region.” 

Around one quarter of the world’s population live in it. And most of its countries have a thriving IFES ministry. Yet, due to security concerns, it’s often difficult to convey God’s work in and through students there. This is the South Asia region.  

So, in this Prayerline, we bring you words from four national movements, given in response to an IFES worldwide ministry survey. 

Here are some snapshots of challenges and joys within the region. 

The movement in a Muslim-majority country says: 

“Legally, there is freedom to share the gospel. However, in practice, doing so is extremely sensitive due to deeply rooted cultural and social norms. When someone calls on Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they often face significant persecution. This can come in the form of rejection, verbal or physical abuse, social isolation, or even expulsion from their own family or community. The emotional and relational cost is high, making it a major challenge for new believers to stand firm in their faith.” 

“Yet, many of our students actively share their faith with their friends and invite them to events. As a result of their bold witness and personal relationships, several new students have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.” 

In different movements, students are witnessing to Christ through their actions: 

“Through our regular blood donation program, student groups have received appreciation from local government.” 

“Youth migration has become a critical issue in our country, with thousands leaving in search of employment abroad. This trend also affects Christian youths, many of whom are influenced by the same aspirations. However, some of our students made a different choice. Inspired by the vision and encouragement of our movement, they decided to remain and pursue a career in government service – a field with very few Christian representatives. Last year they successfully became government employees, setting a remarkable example of faith and service.” 

“Students from two communities that were once divided by decades of civil war are learning to understand and appreciate each other’s backgrounds, forming meaningful friendships rooted in Christ.” 

And movements testify to the formative impact of the ministry: 

“S started as a student with very little confidence, but she has grown as a leader with good spiritual disciplines. She takes initiative and contributes significantly to the growth of the fellowship. She led the 40 days of national prayer initiative.” 

One student leader says: 

“I was so busy in my daily life, striving for my studies and my career. I’d thought that I couldn’t completely serve God. But at the leadership camp he taught me how I can serve him by my life in my community. Through the teaching sessions at camp, God helped me to rebuild a strong relationship with him again.” 

Interested to learn more about what IFES movements shared in the worldwide ministry survey? Watch out for September’s Conexión blog! 

It’s a growing ministry. 

FOCUS, the IFES movement in Uganda, now serves 132 Christian Union groups (CUs) across 100+ campuses. But, with just 11 full-time staff and limited resources to hire more, the task of supporting student leaders with personal presence felt insurmountable – until they revived the Short-Term Experience in Ministry (STEM) program. 

This year, STEM has given seven graduates the opportunity to receive hands-on training while ministering among students. “It was an inevitable responsibility that we needed to pursue,” says Patrick Barasa, FOCUS General Secretary. 

Now, both students and staff are growing. 

The impact of the program is already evident. On campuses where STEM staff have been deployed, student ministry is thriving. At the Allied Institute of Health Sciences, Samuel, the CU Chair, sees the difference: 

“Thanks to the expertise and mentorship of STEM staff, we’ve been much more effective in planning and implementing our activities. As they’ve walked alongside us, we’ve developed as leaders – in knowledge and practical skills. And their active participation in outreach events has boosted our capacity to reach out to peers.”  

Such positive relationships are typical. The immediate staff presence on campus means that CU leaders can easily access FOCUS support and receive guidance on championing witness and discipleship in ways that are relevant for their situation. 

And it’s not just the students that are benefiting – STEM staff are also experiencing personal and spiritual growth. Maureen Nabwire, serving in the Busoga region, notes:  

“Over the past few months, I’ve been able to learn how to associate and communicate with people from different societies, how to relate to and engage with students. I’ve realized that I can truly rely on God as my provider even through the challenges of mobilizing resources.” 

At the start of the year-long program, the carefully selected graduates are prepared for service with training on personal care and development as well as ministry skills, like how to faithfully handle Scripture and effectively engage in mission. This is supplemented by regular mentoring and care from senior staff and volunteers. 

STEM staff have grown in other ways, too. Robert Wabulimbo, who’s been serving Samuel’s CU, adds: “I’ve learned to raise ministry funds and to be accountable for writing reports on finances and activities.” 

General Secretary Patrick concludes: 

“With the growing number of CUs, this strategy not only gives us the best shot at effectively discipling students. It’s also a way of nurturing graduates who will impact our churches and society.” 

If you’d like to partner with the students and associates in Uganda who’ll be giving to FOCUS, you can donate here. 

“I never realized that sex could be positively taught about from up front. I was always told that it was wrong, something to be ashamed of.” 

This young woman was not alone. The other 150 students attending TSCF Papua New Guinea’s Bible Summit in June also welcomed the opportunity to talk about intimate relationships and receive guidance from Scripture.  

Juliette, a TSCF staff worker, notes: 

“In Port Moresby (the capital), young people are strongly influenced by western cultural trends. This has forced some churches to address relationship issues. However, most of our students come from rural areas, where the only teaching they’ve had is from ‘personal development class’.”   

So, the team decided that this year’s Summit should help students gain a biblical perspective and see Christ as Lord over sexuality and marriage.  

One third-year law student described the experience as “deeply eye-opening”. He felt challenged about walking into a relationship and just “winging it”. He wants to be more intentional. 

“The summit made it clear that love is not about satisfying your desire, but about commitment, sacrifice, and helping the other person grow closer to God. If I truly care about someone, I must help guard their heart, mind, and body from the damage of ungodly intimacy. That means setting clear boundaries and walking in accountability.” 

He also left with a solid understanding of worth and integrity:  

“I’ve come to recognise that my worth, security, and identity come from Christ alone, not from relationships, approval, sexual experience, or cultural expectations of ‘being the man’. I now see this not as a restriction but as freedom – a joyful, powerful way of living that honours God and protects what he values most: his image in me and others.” 

The summit’s teaching not only addressed how students approach relationships now. It also prepared them for marriage by helping them reassess cultural norms and expectations. Juliette explains: 

“In this culture, so much is assumed rather than discussed. This means high levels of domestic violence continue, along with a poor understanding of family roles and responsibilities, including many ‘absent fathers’. And polygamy is widespread, generally accepted as a sign of male strength.” 

David Walter, IFES Regional Secretary for the South Pacific, points out how strategic this Summit has been: 

“It’s superb to see the national movement tackling something that’s rarely talked about in the churches. Intimate partner violence, marriage breakdown, and sexual assault are widespread problems. So, exploring the biblical perspective like they did is also a great way of serving society.”  

The midsummer boat trip wasn’t a typical outreach event (but it’s now a tradition!). And the upcoming European Student Festival won’t be your typical IFES conference either. So, what’s going on in Latvia?  

The IFES national movement, LKSB, is creating space – and waiting to see what God will do in it. 

The midsummer boat trip – three days’ camping down a river – started a few years ago. COVID restrictions and lack of enthusiasm for large organized events led the team to choose a simple approach. LKSB students invited their non-Christian friends to join them on a boat trip – with no “agenda”. No pre-planned devotional, no Bible studies, no talks.  

Ulvis Kravalis, LKSB General Secretary, explains: 

“It’s about experiencing adventure on a river with Christians. It’s an organic way of connecting with each other and God. Through friendship, round the campfire, deep and meaningful conversations open up. We’ve even had six people come to Christ through it!” 

One summer under the stars, two Christian students naturally shared their testimonies. Ulvis recalls: “the atmosphere became so thick that we felt like we could touch God’s love”. When a LKSB staff worker asked if anyone wanted prayer, a female student responded. As they were praying, someone had a picture: she was chasing around, seeking value in men’s opinions of her rather than in the beauty that Christ sees in her. That night, she surrendered her life to Jesus. 

It’s this desire for organic, personal interactions that has also been incorporated into a regionwide student conference in August. Latvia will host the European Student Festival (ESF) in Jelgava, bringing together around 500 students from 40 movements across the continent. 

With the theme “Kingdom Come”, it will have the usual elements of an IFES event – quality Bible teaching, hands-on workshops, and cross-cultural sharing in small groups. But it’s more than a typical conference. Students will also be able to enjoy sports, art, music, dance, good food – and the beach!  

Christian Pichler, Associate IFES Regional Secretary for Europe and Director of ESF, says:  

“We believe in the power of people meeting people. We learn so much simply by meeting other individuals and hearing their stories. We want to create space for these encounters. So, this is the idea – it’s more of a festival with people choosing activities, hanging out together, and having time for conversations.” 

Ulvis agrees: 
 

“There’ll be talks of a very high quality – even life–changing – so, I’m really looking forward to that. But what excites me most is the potential for those unplanned, ‘accidental’ conversations – standing in a line for food, passing by at a stall in the exhibition hall, or chatting after playing ball together.” 

Hear more about Christian’s and Ulvis’s hopes for the European Student Festival in this Voices of IFES podcast episode:

Evangelism is religious propaganda.  

This is the view of many students in Moldova. On campus, talk of Jesus isn’t often taken seriously. Veaceslav Tușinschi, Director for CSC, the IFES national movement, explains: 

“Student life is marked by materialism and individualism. Some students may agree to a brief discussion on Christian topics, but that’s usually out of politeness, mild curiosity, or a desire to contradict you.” 

So, CSC students in Chișinău were deeply encouraged when invitations to their “Serios?” mission week led to serious interest from peers. 

Christina first met Gabriel at the beginning of the events week. She was on an internship at the hospital with several other medical students. While offering invites to friends, she felt prompted to offer one to Gabriel too. He was shy – and busy – and didn’t come all week. But he turned up for the final evening, when 70 students gathered at an Uzbek restaurant for games, live music, a kebab, and a talk. 

To follow up the week, various groups were planned  – socials, discussion groups, and a seeker’s Bible study. Gabriel chose the Bible study! 

Veaceslav reports, “He’s come each week open and interested in learning more about God, grace, salvation, and forgiveness of sins. His questions are sincere and his heart is open to receive.”    

Eugenia, a first-year philosophy student, was also committed to inviting friends to Serios? events. Three coursemates were willing to attend. They too joined the final evening, with one leaving his details to find out more.  

But he couldn’t wait. When the program ended, he hung around chatting with Veaceslav and two others. 

“After we’d left the café, we had a long conversation with him. He was amazed that such evenings were being organised. It was getting late, so we started to head for our homes. But he insisted on walking each of us to our trolleybus stops – it seemed like he was so intrigued that he wasn’t yet ready to part ways.” 

Eugenia also followed up with her coursemates. For Easter weekend, she hosted a picnic in the park so that they could read about Jesus on the cross and she invited them to the Sunday celebration at her church. 

When Kayley first encountered her local IFES movement – The Jesus Students, Suriname (JS) – she was quite young: 

“I first experienced the joy of student ministry in high school. When I started university, I knew I couldn’t leave that behind!” 

But it wasn’t that simple: she had no campus group to connect with. Despite JS groups thriving in almost 30 schools, the group at the University of Suriname had ceased some years ago. 

This was a challenge that troubled Lorain, a JS staff worker. When she’d been a student at the university two decades earlier, she’d been involved in leading JS’s “Groups investigating God”. So, when she returned as staff in 2017, she was deeply disappointed to hear of the group’s demise. 

In 2020, she hoped to start a group with high school students who graduated that year. But some started work, others went abroad for study, and others weren’t interested. “The journey wasn’t easy!”, Lorain recalls.  

But she wasn’t ready to give up. In 2023-2024, under the leadership of a young new JS General Secretary, Lorain met a handful of promising high school students – including Kayley.   

And Kayley was ready to give it a try: 

“I started as a small group leader at the campus not knowing what would come of it but trusting that God wanted his light to shine here, too. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve seen him work, drawing together students across faculties and deepening our faith.” 

Kayley heads up the group in the Law Faculty, while two of her peers started groups in the Social Sciences and Technical Faculties. 

Since then, those two groups have merged due to one leader stepping down – an indication of how challenging the role is. Lorain comments: “I have to say, the work on campus is not for the weak! But Kayley is indeed brave. She is really holding on.” 

In addition to the general pressures of student life – like stress, the negative impact of social media, poor self-esteem, and poverty – the student leaders are also pressed for time. It’s been hard for them to find opportunities to physically meet together, so next year many meetings will take place online.   

Nevertheless, the coming together of heart and vision is enabling ministry to flourish – students are now leading groups weekly, offering prayer for students before exams, handing out Bible verses with candy, and even participating in a new podcast. 

To learn more about high school ministry across IFES movements, keep an eye out for the next Conexión blog, due 3 July.

“We’re seeing beautiful things – the Holy Spirit is clearly at work in the lives of young people.” 

On one campus in Canada, Tommy, a staff worker with GBUC (the French-speaking IFES movement in Canada) is working with Christina from Power to Change. They’re experiencing an exciting season of curiosity and conversions as they partner with each other, with students – and with God. 

In the last couple of years, Tommy and Christina have noticed a spiritual shift. The campus group used to mainly comprise international students who were churched and familiar with GBU/IFES in their own countries. But, today, the majority are new Christians and those seeking faith.  

Tommy says it’s like “a huge discovery group”. Students just turn up and say, “I’m new to faith, I’m curious”. A few times, students have come and asked for Bibles. Last year, they met a student who turned to Christ through TikTok: 

“When she started her spiritual search, she was open to everything except Christ. But for some reason, the Lord kept making sure the algorithm showed her Christian stuff. She started going to church in her neighborhood, and eventually, she and her mother became Christians!” 

As Tommy and Christina follow God’s lead, they’re also listening to the students. Recently, Christina had designed different options for a poster to advertise the group’s activities. When the students voted for their favourite, the winner was the one that Tommy and Christina liked the least. 

But God was at work again: “I think we had about forty students contact us because of that poster. And three students even took a photo of it to show their mothers!”. Christina adds, “I love these students. I’ve never been so challenged. It’s their different stories, their deep searching.” 

The university administration here has been cautious about the activities of religious groups on campus, leading to the formation of an umbrella NGO-like group for Christians. This gave Tommy and Christina the impetus for their ministry partnership: 

“We have the same vision, we understand each other: we want to serve all students, whatever their denomination.” 

Together – with the students – the group now offers a suite of activities on a different theme each week, through prayer times, Bible studies, an outreach stand, and a dessert and discussion evening. 

One week, the outreach stand topic – “Tell us about a woman who inspires you” – caused such a positive response from students that the story-sharing was noticed by university staff on an adjacent careers day stand.  One of them said, “I’m feeling so emotional. This is such a beautiful moment”.