Pain, fullness, and hope.
\nWhen three Arabic letters are \u201crearranged\u201d, 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.
\nAmid 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.
\nThese candid comments give a sense of their experiences:
\n\u201cI 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\u2019ve 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\u2019s very dangerous, I\u2019m constantly seeing people put their trust in Jesus.\u201d (Hassan from B city)
\n\u201cIn one of the talks, we were encouraged as a Christian minority not to leave our country so that the Christian presence doesn\u2019t further decrease. I agree with that. But it seems impossible \u2013 as an English teacher working two jobs, I don’t even earn enough to make ends meet.\u201d (Malika from Cairo)
\n\u201cI 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 \u2013 all this has left its mark on me. I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Can Jesus heal me?\u201d (Rabiaa from Lebanon)
\n\u201cI 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\u2019s the first time we\u2019ve seen the sea or touched sand, even though it\u2019s 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?\u201d (Selima from Palestine \u2013 pictured above)
\n\u201cWith 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.\u201d (Karim from a country on the Arabian Peninsula)
\n(Names changed to protect identities)
\nThe post Feeling Pain and Hope appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "Pain, fullness, and hope. \n\n\n\nWhen three Arabic letters are \u201crearranged\u201d, 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. \n\n\n\nAmid 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. \n\n\n\nVoicing Pain and Hope \n\n\n\nThese candid comments give a sense of their experiences: \n\n\n\n\u201cI 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\u2019ve 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\u2019s very dangerous, I\u2019m constantly seeing people put their trust in Jesus.\u201d (Hassan from B city) \n\n\n\n\u201cIn one of the talks, we were encouraged as a Christian minority not to leave our country so that the Christian presence doesn\u2019t further decrease. I agree with that. But it seems impossible \u2013 as an English teacher working two jobs, I don’t even earn enough to make ends meet.\u201d (Malika from Cairo) \n\n\n\n\u201cI 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 \u2013 all this has left its mark on me. I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Can Jesus heal me?\u201d (Rabiaa from Lebanon) \n\n\n\n\u201cI 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\u2019s the first time we\u2019ve seen the sea or touched sand, even though it\u2019s 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?\u201d (Selima from Palestine \u2013 pictured above) \n\n\n\n\u201cWith 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.\u201d (Karim from a country on the Arabian Peninsula) \n\n\n\n(Names changed to protect identities) \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nPraise God that students from across MENA enjoyed worship, fellowship, and learning together \u2013 \u201ca wonderful blessing united us under the blood of Jesus Christ\u201d. Pray for those processing deep pain and trauma \u2013 that they will find healing in the fullness of Christ and know the love of his people. \n\n\n\n\n\nPraise God that a significant number of participants had turned to Christ from a different faith background. Pray that they will be fruitful in sharing their faith among peers and that believers from a Christian background will be encouraged to reach across religious divides. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for an end to war and violence in the region. And ask the Lord to guide and provide for young graduates grappling with difficult decisions about work and witness. \n\nThe post Feeling Pain and Hope appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-09-30T08:34:39+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-30T15:59:05+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Participants-from-Palestine-e1759217600139.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=48027", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/pray-for-students-around-the-world/", "title": "Pray for students around the world", "content_html": "We\u2019ve put together these prayer cards to help you pray for the real needs of students around the globe. Find out what\u2019s going on in IFES student groups worldwide, and get praying for them on World Student Day on 16 October.
\nFirst prayer cards will be available for download on 9 October. All prayer cards will be ready for download on 15 October.
\nWorld Student Day is when we pray together as a global movement. You can take part wherever you are. Watch the video for some ideas to get started!
\nThe post Pray for students around the world appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "We\u2019ve put together these prayer cards to help you pray for the real needs of students around the globe. Find out what\u2019s going on in IFES student groups worldwide, and get praying for them on World Student Day on 16 October.\n\n\n\nFirst prayer cards will be available for download on 9 October. All prayer cards will be ready for download on 15 October.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n RESOURCE HUB \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n SIGN UP TO PRAY \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n WSD HOMEPAGE \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPrayer cards\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Europe \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Francophone Africa \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n English and Portuguese-Speaking Africa \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Latin America \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n South Asia \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Caribbean \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n South pacific \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n East Asia \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n North america \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Eurasia \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Middle East and North Africa \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEurope\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All Europe Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrancophone Africa\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All Francophone Africa Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEnglish and Portuguese-Speaking Africa\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All EPSA cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLatin America\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All Latin America Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSouth asia\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all South Asia cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWorld Student Day is when we pray together as a global movement. You can take part wherever you are. Watch the video for some ideas to get started!\n\n\n\n\n\nCaribbean\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all Caribbean Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSouth pacific\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All South Pacific Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEast Asia\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all East Asia cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNorth america\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all North America cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEurasia\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all Eurasia cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMENA\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all MENA cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe post Pray for students around the world appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-09-23T09:54:35+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-10-10T09:51:48+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GGD-Banner-30.png" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=conexion&p=47989", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/blog/hows-the-family/", "title": "HOW\u2019S THE FAMILY?\u00a0", "content_html": "”How\u2019s the family?”
\nIf you\u2019re talking about a spouse and two or three children, the answer to that question is likely to be fairly simple and focused. But what if you have twelve children? And thirty grandchildren?
\nWhere do you start?
\nIt may feel a little like that with IFES \u2013 a family of 163 affiliate member movements, with \u201cfounding\u201d great grandparents and \u201cpioneering\u201d newborns. How do you put your finger on the pulse of this global fellowship?
\nAcross 180 countries and territories, the IFES family lives for Jesus in very different situations. But one way we gauge the big picture of how the whole family is faring is through our \u201cnational movement survey\u201d.
\n![\"IFES,](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Photo-01-The-IFES-Family-WA23-1024x683.jpg\")
At the start of each year, a set of questions is sent to each movement. A designated person (usually the General Secretary or Board Chair) uses these to review the previous year. It\u2019s an opportunity for national movements to reflect on how they are \u201cbeginning, growing, or maturing\u201d in ministry areas associated with our Thriving Together priorities.
\nThe survey also provides space to tell how God has been at work in the national movement and share prayer requests.
\nThe IFES Ministry Strategy & Impact team then collates this data and summarises the findings in an \u201cinsights report\u201d.
\nSo, how\u2019s our family doing?
\nTwo thirds of our movements responded to the survey. And, regardless of national context \u2013 whether a pervasively nominal Christian culture, a secular, post-Christian society, a perilous, war-torn land, or an aggressively other-faith majority state \u2013 one thing was clear: the IFES family saw God at work.
\nA number spoke about doors being opened. In the Czech Republic, \u201cGod opened new doors\u201d with the Natural Science Faculty and, in Kosovo, God \u201copened doors that we had never thought of\u201d.
\nIn Europe, many movements witnessed a spiritual openness, perhaps echoing the recently reported \u201cquiet revival\u201d:
\n\u201cThere seem to be more non-Christians at the activities!\u201d (GBU France)
\n\u201cGrowing numbers of students are attending our Passion Weeks.\u201d (IFES Nederland)
\n\u201cThe group in Hasselt was one of our smallest groups, but they now meet at the university weekly and the group has grown to about 25 students.\u201d (Ichtus Belgium)
\n\u201cStudents are becoming believers.\u201d (UCCF Great Britain)
\n\u201cGod is working through the spiritual openness in Ireland. We have seen students turn from witchcraft after encounters with Christ.\u201d (CUI Ireland)
\n![\"Bible](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Photo-02-Gods-arm-Kosovo-1024x768.jpg\")
A similar openness was reported in the South Pacific (TSCF Papua New Guinea) and North America (InterVarsity/USA and IVCF Canada). Movements in the Caribbean saw \u201cstudents come to Christ\u201d (IS/IVCF Belize) and \u201cthousands of students give their hearts to Jesus\u201d (ISCCF St Vincent & Grenadines), and ABU Puerto Rico noted \u201cstudents converted to Christ\u201d.
\nTim Adams, IFES General Secretary, sums it up well:
\n\n\n\u201cThe survey confirms what we have seen on the ground: more students are coming to Christ. It\u2019s very encouraging to see new groups and movements, especially as some of these are spontaneous initiatives. They show that God is at work and creating opportunities.\u201d
\n
IFES movements also testified to God\u2019s work of protection and nurture amid acutely difficult circumstances, such as persecution, political unrest, poverty, and war.
\nIn the Middle East and North Africa region, movements said:
\n\u201cThe Lord has assisted us throughout the year with his protection and encouragement, even though we live in an environment hostile to the gospel.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cGod is good and always works miracles in our country.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cDespite the exhaustion and challenges caused by the ongoing conflict, we\u2019ve witnessed students and graduates stepping up to support one another and create spaces of peace and community on campuses.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0
\nAnd movements in sensitive countries in East Asia shared:
\n\u201cGod is sovereign. He protects us in all seasons\u201d\u2026 \u201cGod protects us through many unexpected events\u201d\u2026 \u201cHe sustains and guides us all the way. He gives us wisdom how to respond to the needs\u201d\u2026 \u201cGod continues clearing the hard ground to make way for a student movement.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0
\nIn short, IFES movements are grateful to God for his manifold works, which also include \u201craising up the next generation of leaders\u201d (FCS Mongolia) and \u201cstudents growing in their prayer life\u201d (FOCUS Zimbabwe).
\nBut what can we say about how God is using the family to achieve such purposes?
\nHow\u2019s it doing in its mission and ministry?
\n![\"prayer,](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Photo-03-Gods-hand-EA-student-1024x683.jpg\")
The majority of movements (61%) reported that students were in the \u201cgrowing\u201d or \u201cmaturing\u201d stages of \u201ctaking the initiative to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around them\u201d.
\nAlmost all movements (96%) said they focused on \u201cempowering students to witness to the good news of Jesus Christ\u201d \u2013 evangelism remains a priority. A variety of methods were mentioned: Bible studies, the Mark Drama, Mission/Events Weeks, creative outreach (like escape rooms), camps, and the sharing of testimonies.
\n![\"Moldova,](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Photo-04-Witness-Moldova-1024x768.jpg\")
A movement in North Africa said that \u201cthough the students are few, they are actively growing in their relationship with God and their confidence in sharing the Word with others\u201d, while ZVE\u0160 Slovenia shared that \u201cstudents are being more public about their faith\u201d.
\nBut \u201cthriving in witness\u201d is not merely about evangelism. It\u2019s about \u201cengaging the university\u201d as well.
\nYet, the survey revealed that only around half (57%) of the movements had \u201cempowering students to bring their Christian voice and service to the university\u201d as a focus area.
\nNonetheless, some movements did note progress:
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve witnessed a transformation in students\u2019 lives \u2013 from a nominal understanding of the gospel to actively taking leadership in sharing kingdom values within their communities.\u201d (FOCUS Sri Lanka)\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cChristian Reflection and Ethics Forums provided spaces for dialogue and allowed students and graduates to confront their faith with societal realities (justice, corruption, entrepreneurship, social responsibility).\u201d\u202f(GBUSS Senegal)
\nOne movement mentioned a \u201cgrowing awareness and desire to influence the thought life of the university through the application of Christian truth to academic study\u201d (UCCF Great Britain) and another that the \u201cstudents have been challenged to understand their studies in the light of their Christian faith and how to serve the university (not just be served by it)\u201d (GBU Portugal).
\nNevertheless, half of the IFES family reckoned that the statements \u201cChristian faith shapes the way students approach their studies\u201d and \u201cStudents can dialogue relevantly and biblically around the big issues in their context\u201d were either not evident at all or just beginning to be seen in their movements.
\nFor IFES Associate General Secretary Annette Arulrajah, this is an area that needs strengthening:
\n\n\n\u201cThe witness we want to see is not merely the proclamation of the gospel but the salting of the earth and the arresting of the decay around us. We need to seize the opportunities of the moment to challenge the norms and thought-processes in our universities.\u201d
\n
The vast majority of movements (85%) reported that students were in the \u201cgrowing\u201d or \u201cmaturing\u201d stages of \u201cmeeting regularly to study the Bible\u201d. And almost all movements said \u201cnurturing students towards resilient discipleship rooted in the Bible\u201d had been a ministry focus.
\n![\"Kenya,](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Photo-05-Word-FOCUS-Kenya-Bible-study-1024x683.jpg\")
Other responses under \u201cthriving in whole-life commitment\u201d show how vital such holistic discipleship is. For example, although 44 movements could say that they saw students in the \u201cmaturing\u201d stage of \u201cmeeting regularly for Bible study\u201d, only nine could say that they were \u201cmaturing\u201d in being \u201cfirmly rooted in the Bible\u201d.
\nSimilarly, the number of movements in the \u201cmaturing\u201d stage of \u201cshowing love and care for others\u201d and \u201cmeeting regularly to pray\u201d were lower than 44 (19 and 17 respectively) and strikingly lower for \u201creflecting godly values in every area of life\u201d (just four).
\n\n\n\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t take for granted that study of God’s Word will result in greater love for him through our living. We need to help students encounter and embrace the call of the Lord upon their lives. The IFES Scripture Engagement ministry exists to catalyse that call for holistic discipleship. We need to keep on in this way because a generation has arrived at our doorsteps that no longer wants concepts and theories. Rather, they want to see the living God at work in their lives.\u201d
\n\n(Annette Arulrajah, IFES Associate General Secretary)
\n
Thankfully, the majority of movements report that they are growing in whole-life commitment.
\nIn ABUB Brazil, regional gatherings explored the theme of joy in Philippians and were able to \u201cdeepen their spirituality in the gospel and face some big issues such as mental health and violence against women\u201d.
\nNBCBS Nepal shared:
\n\u201cYouth migration has become a critical issue, with many young people leaving the country every day in search of employment. However, through the influence of our movement, some have made a different choice \u2013 they decided to remain in Nepal and pursue a career in government service, a field with very few Christian representatives.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0
\nIn one East Asian movement, a student refused to take a shortcut in her exam even though it meant she needed to extend her studies by another semester. And FOCUS Kenya mention their Hesabika initiative that\u2019s \u201cchallenging graduates to transform society wherever they are\u201d.
\n\u201cStudents are realising that Jesus is concerned with their entire lives, helping them grow as disciples, and not just in a specific role\u201d (ISCCF Saint Vincent & Grenadines).\u00a0\u00a0
\nIt was heartening to see that around two-thirds of movements considered themselves in the \u201cgrowing\u201d or \u201cmaturing\u201d stages of being \u201cengaged with other like-minded organisations\u201d. And almost three-quarters said that \u201cstrengthening existing partnerships with churches and like-minded organisations\u201d was a focus area.
\nMUC El Salvador\u202fhas promoted collaboration with two other organisations that work with students and young people in the country: \u201cThere\u2019s been a greater focus on working with pre-university schools, and this has allowed us access to university campuses where we didn’t have a presence before.\u201d\u202fAnd SCF Mauritius say that the difficulties involved with pioneering new student groups on campuses has led them to partner with churches to offer Bible study training.
\n![\"\"](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Photo-06-Collaboration-WA23-1024x683.jpg\")
A desire for stronger collaboration across the IFES family was evident, not only for \u201cthriving on new ground\u201d, but also for \u201cthriving into the future\u201d:
\n\u201cIt would be helpful to have opportunities to learn from other movements facing similar challenges \u2013 building relationships with their staff and gaining insights into their methods, experiences, and approaches to ministry and organisational life.\u201d (FOCUS Sri Lanka)
\nZAFES Zambia noted that their movement could further flourish by \u201cundertaking various global resource programs to better understand their work and key tools, and by sending staff to learn from other movements in the region.\u201d\u202f
\nReflecting on needs expressed across the IFES family, Tim Adams (IFES General Secretary) affirms:
\n\n\n\u201cWe must ensure that the support offered by our global ministries strongly aligns with what national movements are seeking \u2013 particularly the desire for support in the areas of digital ministry, graduate ministry, and high schools work.”
\n
This year\u2019s pulse has been taken. And it shows promising signs of good health. The responses in the national movement survey portray a family that\u2019s thriving together \u2013 dependent on God, active in sharing the gospel, committed to Scripture, and connected in Christ.
\n![\"\"](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Photo-07-final-EA-1024x576.jpg\")
That\u2019s not to say that fitness can\u2019t be improved.
\nMore salt in our witness, more fruit in our whole-life discipleship, and deeper collaboration in our fellowship \u2013 all of these will be welcome. We\u2019re still learning and maturing.
\nIn many ways, our pulse echoes that of our early church family\u2019s. In places, it was shining with love, faith, and hope (Colossians 1), while in others it was dulled by social inaction (James). In some areas, it was struggling to apply the gospel to its religious heritage (Galatians); elsewhere, it needed to relate citizenship, work, and domestic life to its calling (1 Peter).
\nNevertheless, it was possible to say that the church was growing (Acts 21:17-19). Sure, there were issues that needed addressing, but Christ\u2019s presence was evident (Revelation 1-3). And with his divine power at work in them, they were urged to make every effort to grow in godliness (2 Peter 1:3-8).
\n![\"\"](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DAR-Instagram-1-819x1024.png\")
![\"\"](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025_Instagram-format_English-1-819x1024.png\")
The post HOW\u2019S THE FAMILY?\u00a0 appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "”How\u2019s the family?” \n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re talking about a spouse and two or three children, the answer to that question is likely to be fairly simple and focused. But what if you have twelve children? And thirty grandchildren? \n\n\n\nWhere do you start? \n\n\n\nIt may feel a little like that with IFES \u2013 a family of 163 affiliate member movements, with \u201cfounding\u201d great grandparents and \u201cpioneering\u201d newborns. How do you put your finger on the pulse of this global fellowship? \n\n\n\nTHE IFES FAMILY \u2013 THRIVING TOGETHER?\n\n\n\nAcross 180 countries and territories, the IFES family lives for Jesus in very different situations. But one way we gauge the big picture of how the whole family is faring is through our \u201cnational movement survey\u201d. \n\n\n\n\nAt the start of each year, a set of questions is sent to each movement. A designated person (usually the General Secretary or Board Chair) uses these to review the previous year. It\u2019s an opportunity for national movements to reflect on how they are \u201cbeginning, growing, or maturing\u201d in ministry areas associated with our Thriving Together priorities.\n\n\n\nThe survey also provides space to tell how God has been at work in the national movement and share prayer requests. \n\n\n\n\nThe IFES Ministry Strategy & Impact team then collates this data and summarises the findings in an \u201cinsights report\u201d. \n\n\n\nSo, how\u2019s our family doing? \n\n\n\nTwo thirds of our movements responded to the survey. And, regardless of national context \u2013 whether a pervasively nominal Christian culture, a secular, post-Christian society, a perilous, war-torn land, or an aggressively other-faith majority state \u2013 one thing was clear: the IFES family saw God at work. \n\n\n\nAWARE OF GOD\u2019S MIGHTY ARM \n\n\n\nA number spoke about doors being opened. In the Czech Republic, \u201cGod opened new doors\u201d with the Natural Science Faculty and, in Kosovo, God \u201copened doors that we had never thought of\u201d. \n\n\n\n\nIn Europe, many movements witnessed a spiritual openness, perhaps echoing the recently reported \u201cquiet revival\u201d: \n\n\n\n\u201cThere seem to be more non-Christians at the activities!\u201d (GBU France) \n\n\n\n\u201cGrowing numbers of students are attending our Passion Weeks.\u201d (IFES Nederland) \n\n\n\n\u201cThe group in Hasselt was one of our smallest groups, but they now meet at the university weekly and the group has grown to about 25 students.\u201d (Ichtus Belgium) \n\n\n\n\u201cStudents are becoming believers.\u201d (UCCF Great Britain) \n\n\n\n\u201cGod is working through the spiritual openness in Ireland. We have seen students turn from witchcraft after encounters with Christ.\u201d (CUI Ireland) \n\n\n\n\nA similar openness was reported in the South Pacific (TSCF Papua New Guinea) and North America (InterVarsity/USA and IVCF Canada). Movements in the Caribbean saw \u201cstudents come to Christ\u201d (IS/IVCF Belize) and \u201cthousands of students give their hearts to Jesus\u201d (ISCCF St Vincent & Grenadines), and ABU Puerto Rico noted \u201cstudents converted to Christ\u201d. \n\n\n\nTim Adams, IFES General Secretary, sums it up well: \n\n\n\n\n\u201cThe survey confirms what we have seen on the ground: more students are coming to Christ. It\u2019s very encouraging to see new groups and movements, especially as some of these are spontaneous initiatives. They show that God is at work and creating opportunities.\u201d \n\n\n\n\nAWARE OF GOD\u2019S GOOD HAND \n\n\n\nIFES movements also testified to God\u2019s work of protection and nurture amid acutely difficult circumstances, such as persecution, political unrest, poverty, and war. \n\n\n\nIn the Middle East and North Africa region, movements said: \n\n\n\n\u201cThe Lord has assisted us throughout the year with his protection and encouragement, even though we live in an environment hostile to the gospel.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\n\u201cGod is good and always works miracles in our country.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\n\u201cDespite the exhaustion and challenges caused by the ongoing conflict, we\u2019ve witnessed students and graduates stepping up to support one another and create spaces of peace and community on campuses.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nAnd movements in sensitive countries in East Asia shared: \n\n\n\n\u201cGod is sovereign. He protects us in all seasons\u201d\u2026 \u201cGod protects us through many unexpected events\u201d\u2026 \u201cHe sustains and guides us all the way. He gives us wisdom how to respond to the needs\u201d\u2026 \u201cGod continues clearing the hard ground to make way for a student movement.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nIn short, IFES movements are grateful to God for his manifold works, which also include \u201craising up the next generation of leaders\u201d (FCS Mongolia) and \u201cstudents growing in their prayer life\u201d (FOCUS Zimbabwe). \n\n\n\nBut what can we say about how God is using the family to achieve such purposes?\n\n\n\n How\u2019s it doing in its mission and ministry? \n\n\n\n\nACTIVE IN WITNESS \u2013 BUT COULD BE MORE SALTY? \n\n\n\nThe majority of movements (61%) reported that students were in the \u201cgrowing\u201d or \u201cmaturing\u201d stages of \u201ctaking the initiative to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around them\u201d. \n\n\n\nAlmost all movements (96%) said they focused on \u201cempowering students to witness to the good news of Jesus Christ\u201d \u2013 evangelism remains a priority. A variety of methods were mentioned: Bible studies, the Mark Drama, Mission/Events Weeks, creative outreach (like escape rooms), camps, and the sharing of testimonies. \n\n\n\n\nA movement in North Africa said that \u201cthough the students are few, they are actively growing in their relationship with God and their confidence in sharing the Word with others\u201d, while ZVE\u0160 Slovenia shared that \u201cstudents are being more public about their faith\u201d. \n\n\n\nBut \u201cthriving in witness\u201d is not merely about evangelism. It\u2019s about \u201cengaging the university\u201d as well. \n\n\n\nYet, the survey revealed that only around half (57%) of the movements had \u201cempowering students to bring their Christian voice and service to the university\u201d as a focus area. \n\n\n\n\nNonetheless, some movements did note progress: \n\n\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve witnessed a transformation in students\u2019 lives \u2013 from a nominal understanding of the gospel to actively taking leadership in sharing kingdom values within their communities.\u201d (FOCUS Sri Lanka)\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\n\u201cChristian Reflection and Ethics Forums provided spaces for dialogue and allowed students and graduates to confront their faith with societal realities (justice, corruption, entrepreneurship, social responsibility).\u201d\u202f(GBUSS Senegal) \n\n\n\nOne movement mentioned a \u201cgrowing awareness and desire to influence the thought life of the university through the application of Christian truth to academic study\u201d (UCCF Great Britain) and another that the \u201cstudents have been challenged to understand their studies in the light of their Christian faith and how to serve the university (not just be served by it)\u201d (GBU Portugal). \n\n\n\nNevertheless, half of the IFES family reckoned that the statements \u201cChristian faith shapes the way students approach their studies\u201d and \u201cStudents can dialogue relevantly and biblically around the big issues in their context\u201d were either not evident at all or just beginning to be seen in their movements. \n\n\n\nFor IFES Associate General Secretary Annette Arulrajah, this is an area that needs strengthening: \n\n\n\n\n\u201cThe witness we want to see is not merely the proclamation of the gospel but the salting of the earth and the arresting of the decay around us. We need to seize the opportunities of the moment to challenge the norms and thought-processes in our universities.\u201d \n\n\n\n\nCOMMITTED TO THE WORD \u2013 BUT COULD BE MORE FRUITY? \n\n\n\nThe vast majority of movements (85%) reported that students were in the \u201cgrowing\u201d or \u201cmaturing\u201d stages of \u201cmeeting regularly to study the Bible\u201d. And almost all movements said \u201cnurturing students towards resilient discipleship rooted in the Bible\u201d had been a ministry focus. \n\n\n\n\nOther responses under \u201cthriving in whole-life commitment\u201d show how vital such holistic discipleship is. For example, although 44 movements could say that they saw students in the \u201cmaturing\u201d stage of \u201cmeeting regularly for Bible study\u201d, only nine could say that they were \u201cmaturing\u201d in being \u201cfirmly rooted in the Bible\u201d. \n\n\n\nSimilarly, the number of movements in the \u201cmaturing\u201d stage of \u201cshowing love and care for others\u201d and \u201cmeeting regularly to pray\u201d were lower than 44 (19 and 17 respectively) and strikingly lower for \u201creflecting godly values in every area of life\u201d (just four). \n\n\n\n\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t take for granted that study of God’s Word will result in greater love for him through our living. We need to help students encounter and embrace the call of the Lord upon their lives. The IFES Scripture Engagement ministry exists to catalyse that call for holistic discipleship. We need to keep on in this way because a generation has arrived at our doorsteps that no longer wants concepts and theories. Rather, they want to see the living God at work in their lives.\u201d\n\n\n\n(Annette Arulrajah, IFES Associate General Secretary) \n\n\n\n\nThankfully, the majority of movements report that they are growing in whole-life commitment. \n\n\n\nIn ABUB Brazil, regional gatherings explored the theme of joy in Philippians and were able to \u201cdeepen their spirituality in the gospel and face some big issues such as mental health and violence against women\u201d. \n\n\n\nNBCBS Nepal shared: \n\n\n\n\u201cYouth migration has become a critical issue, with many young people leaving the country every day in search of employment. However, through the influence of our movement, some have made a different choice \u2013 they decided to remain in Nepal and pursue a career in government service, a field with very few Christian representatives.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nIn one East Asian movement, a student refused to take a shortcut in her exam even though it meant she needed to extend her studies by another semester. And FOCUS Kenya mention their Hesabika initiative that\u2019s \u201cchallenging graduates to transform society wherever they are\u201d. \n\n\n\n\u201cStudents are realising that Jesus is concerned with their entire lives, helping them grow as disciples, and not just in a specific role\u201d (ISCCF Saint Vincent & Grenadines).\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nWIDELY CONNECTED \u2013 BUT HUNGRY FOR COLLABORATION \n\n\n\nIt was heartening to see that around two-thirds of movements considered themselves in the \u201cgrowing\u201d or \u201cmaturing\u201d stages of being \u201cengaged with other like-minded organisations\u201d. And almost three-quarters said that \u201cstrengthening existing partnerships with churches and like-minded organisations\u201d was a focus area. \n\n\n\nMUC El Salvador\u202fhas promoted collaboration with two other organisations that work with students and young people in the country: \u201cThere\u2019s been a greater focus on working with pre-university schools, and this has allowed us access to university campuses where we didn’t have a presence before.\u201d\u202fAnd SCF Mauritius say that the difficulties involved with pioneering new student groups on campuses has led them to partner with churches to offer Bible study training. \n\n\n\n\nA desire for stronger collaboration across the IFES family was evident, not only for \u201cthriving on new ground\u201d, but also for \u201cthriving into the future\u201d: \n\n\n\n\u201cIt would be helpful to have opportunities to learn from other movements facing similar challenges \u2013 building relationships with their staff and gaining insights into their methods, experiences, and approaches to ministry and organisational life.\u201d (FOCUS Sri Lanka)\n\n\n\n\nZAFES Zambia noted that their movement could further flourish by \u201cundertaking various global resource programs to better understand their work and key tools, and by sending staff to learn from other movements in the region.\u201d\u202f \n\n\n\nReflecting on needs expressed across the IFES family, Tim Adams (IFES General Secretary) affirms: \n\n\n\n\n\u201cWe must ensure that the support offered by our global ministries strongly aligns with what national movements are seeking \u2013 particularly the desire for support in the areas of digital ministry, graduate ministry, and high schools work.” \n\n\n\n\nA PROMISING HEALTH CHECK \n\n\n\nThis year\u2019s pulse has been taken. And it shows promising signs of good health. The responses in the national movement survey portray a family that\u2019s thriving together \u2013 dependent on God, active in sharing the gospel, committed to Scripture, and connected in Christ. \n\n\n\n\nThat\u2019s not to say that fitness can\u2019t be improved. \n\n\n\nMore salt in our witness, more fruit in our whole-life discipleship, and deeper collaboration in our fellowship \u2013 all of these will be welcome. We\u2019re still learning and maturing. \n\n\n\n\nIn many ways, our pulse echoes that of our early church family\u2019s. In places, it was shining with love, faith, and hope (Colossians 1), while in others it was dulled by social inaction (James). In some areas, it was struggling to apply the gospel to its religious heritage (Galatians); elsewhere, it needed to relate citizenship, work, and domestic life to its calling (1 Peter). \n\n\n\nNevertheless, it was possible to say that the church was growing (Acts 21:17-19). Sure, there were issues that needed addressing, but Christ\u2019s presence was evident (Revelation 1-3). And with his divine power at work in them, they were urged to make every effort to grow in godliness (2 Peter 1:3-8). \n\n\n\nHow\u2019s the family? \n\n\n\nWith Christ as its head, this family has every hope of being and doing well. \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nAnother way you can see the big picture of what God is doing through IFES is by reading this year\u2019s Impact Report! \n\n\n\n\n \n \n SHOW ME MORE \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnd, on 16 October, pray for the local needs of our global family by using requests sent in from campuses across the fellowship \u2013 be part of Immeasurably More, World Student Day 2025! \n\n\n\n\n \n \n I WANT TO PRAY \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThe post HOW\u2019S THE FAMILY?\u00a0 appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-09-18T16:45:02+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-18T17:56:49+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Bryn Rickards", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/bryn-rickards/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/8672abde7ce0c7ed71f1b1cc3ec261a2.jpg?ver=1759668304" } ], "author": { "name": "Bryn Rickards", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/bryn-rickards/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/8672abde7ce0c7ed71f1b1cc3ec261a2.jpg?ver=1759668304" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Photo-00-banner-e1758117951571.png" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47956", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/it-just-got-real/", "title": "It just got real", "content_html": "A team of 10 staff and students from North America were off to Georgia \u2013 but not the one in the United States. They were heading for the Caucasus. They\u2019d been invited to join with IFES movements from across Eurasia for Formacion, a 10-day gathering for student leaders.
\n\u201cMissions\u201d just got real!
\n\u201cIt was an exciting way to walk and pray alongside our students and staff who were interested in cross-cultural exposure and seeking God\u2019s heart for every nation. It was a beautiful exploration opportunity \u2013 to learn firsthand from IFES movements in Eurasia, to serve them, to develop relationships with them.\u201d
\nSo says co-leader of the team, Liz Dolan, who previously spent two years serving in the region through InterVarsity/USA\u2019s 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.
\nOne team member commented:
\n\u201cThe 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: \u2018Why should I be afraid when I have brothers and sisters in Eurasia who are not afraid of what they\u2019re doing?\u201d
\nAnother added:
\n\u201cThat place in the Bible that talks about living by the law unless it gets in the way of what God says to do \u2013 now I\u2019ve met people who actually have to do that \u2013 do stuff that\u2019s illegal!\u201d
\nSergei, 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.
\n\u201cAt this Formacion, we rediscovered the beauty of short-term trips. For hosts, it\u2019s a great opportunity to receive visitors and share about our countries. For visitors, it\u2019s a listening journey, watching for how God might be developing a longer-term vision for international ministry.\u201d
\nIn addition to eye-opening conversations, Liz notes how God also spoke to their team through Scripture:
\n\u201cGod 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.\u201d
\nTeam 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 \u201cculture night\u201d; and, for one, the delight of worshipping in Russian with other Russian-speakers for the first time.
\nBeing part of a global fellowship became thrillingly real \u2013 a reality they\u2019re now eager to share:
\n\u201cWe can get absorbed in what\u2019s happening on our side of the world \u2013 except for when we have a slide at a conference saying \u2018pray for these people\u2019. So I want to bring a greater awareness of what God\u2019s doing.\u201d
\n\u201cMy 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 \u2013 real, specific prayer requests, actual faces and names. I’m really excited to bring that to our entire region.\u201d
\nIf you\u2019re in the USA and interested in serving locally or with another IFES movement, please visit InterVarsity Link and follow the prompts. Link is happy to help you discern God\u2019s invitation.
In Europe, you can explore cross-cultural student ministry with IFES InterAction.
The post It just got real appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "A team of 10 staff and students from North America were off to Georgia \u2013 but not the one in the United States. They were heading for the Caucasus. They\u2019d been invited to join with IFES movements from across Eurasia for Formacion, a 10-day gathering for student leaders. \n\n\n\n\u201cMissions\u201d just got real! \n\n\n\nA Beautiful Exploration \n\n\n\n\u201cIt was an exciting way to walk and pray alongside our students and staff who were interested in cross-cultural exposure and seeking God\u2019s heart for every nation. It was a beautiful exploration opportunity \u2013 to learn firsthand from IFES movements in Eurasia, to serve them, to develop relationships with them.\u201d \n\n\n\nSo says co-leader of the team, Liz Dolan, who previously spent two years serving in the region through InterVarsity/USA\u2019s 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. \n\n\n\nOne team member commented: \n\n\n\n\u201cThe 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: \u2018Why should I be afraid when I have brothers and sisters in Eurasia who are not afraid of what they\u2019re doing?\u201d \n\n\n\nAnother added: \n\n\n\n\u201cThat place in the Bible that talks about living by the law unless it gets in the way of what God says to do \u2013 now I\u2019ve met people who actually have to do that \u2013 do stuff that\u2019s illegal!\u201d \n\n\n\nSergei, 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. \n\n\n\n\u201cAt this Formacion, we rediscovered the beauty of short-term trips. For hosts, it\u2019s a great opportunity to receive visitors and share about our countries. For visitors, it\u2019s a listening journey, watching for how God might be developing a longer-term vision for international ministry.\u201d \n\n\n\nA Buoyant Return \n\n\n\nIn addition to eye-opening conversations, Liz notes how God also spoke to their team through Scripture: \n\n\n\n\u201cGod 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.\u201d \n\n\n\nTeam 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 \u201cculture night\u201d; and, for one, the delight of worshipping in Russian with other Russian-speakers for the first time. \n\n\n\nBeing part of a global fellowship became thrillingly real \u2013 a reality they\u2019re now eager to share: \n\n\n\n\u201cWe can get absorbed in what\u2019s happening on our side of the world \u2013 except for when we have a slide at a conference saying \u2018pray for these people\u2019. So I want to bring a greater awareness of what God\u2019s doing.\u201d \n\n\n\n\u201cMy 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 \u2013 real, specific prayer requests, actual faces and names. I’m really excited to bring that to our entire region.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for the cross-cultural fellowship at Formacion \u2013 both within and beyond Eurasia. Thank God for the North American team\u2019s eye-opening, faith-strengthening, relationship-building, and ministry-affirming experience. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for each team member as they pass on what they learned \u2013 may the Lord greatly use them to inspire others towards a deeper concern for God\u2019s work on campuses across the world. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for InterVarsity/USA\u2019s Urbana25 (28-31 December), when \u201cGen Z will be invited to see firsthand what God is doing globally and discover their role in his mission\u201d. Ask that final preparations will run smoothly so that a new generation \u201cfollow God, wherever he leads\u201d.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in the USA and interested in serving locally or with another IFES movement, please visit InterVarsity Link and follow the prompts. Link is happy to help you discern God\u2019s invitation. In Europe, you can explore cross-cultural student ministry with IFES InterAction. \nThe post It just got real appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-09-16T04:55:00+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-16T13:32:00+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/georgian_meal_team-scaled.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47898", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/standing-firm-stepping-forward/", "title": "Standing Firm, Stepping Forward", "content_html": "Around one quarter of the world\u2019s population live in it. And most of its countries have a thriving IFES ministry. Yet, due to security concerns, it\u2019s often difficult to convey God\u2019s work in and through students there. This is the South Asia region.\u00a0\u00a0
\nSo, in this Prayerline, we bring you words from four national movements, given in response to an IFES worldwide ministry survey.
\nHere are some snapshots of challenges and joys within the region.
\nThe movement in a Muslim-majority country says:
\n\u201cLegally, 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.\u201d
\n\u201cYet, 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.\u201d
\nIn different movements, students are witnessing to Christ through their actions:
\n\u201cThrough our regular blood donation program, student groups have received appreciation from local government.\u201d
\n\u201cYouth 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 \u2013 a field with very few Christian representatives. Last year they successfully became government employees, setting a remarkable example of faith and service.\u201d
\n\u201cStudents from two communities that were once divided by decades of civil war are learning to understand and appreciate each other\u2019s backgrounds, forming meaningful friendships rooted in Christ.\u201d
\nAnd movements testify to the formative impact of the ministry:
\n\u201cS 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.\u201d
\nOne student leader says:
\n\u201cI was so busy in my daily life, striving for my studies and my career. I\u2019d thought that I couldn\u2019t 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.\u201d
\nInterested to learn more about what IFES movements shared in the worldwide ministry survey? Watch out for September\u2019s Conexi\u00f3n blog!
\nThe post Standing Firm, Stepping Forward appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "Around one quarter of the world\u2019s population live in it. And most of its countries have a thriving IFES ministry. Yet, due to security concerns, it\u2019s often difficult to convey God\u2019s work in and through students there. This is the South Asia region.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo, in this Prayerline, we bring you words from four national movements, given in response to an IFES worldwide ministry survey. \n\n\n\nHere are some snapshots of challenges and joys within the region. \n\n\n\nStanding for Jesus \n\n\n\nThe movement in a Muslim-majority country says: \n\n\n\n\u201cLegally, 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.\u201d \n\n\n\n\u201cYet, 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.\u201d \n\n\n\nLiving the gospel \n\n\n\nIn different movements, students are witnessing to Christ through their actions: \n\n\n\n\u201cThrough our regular blood donation program, student groups have received appreciation from local government.\u201d \n\n\n\n\u201cYouth 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 \u2013 a field with very few Christian representatives. Last year they successfully became government employees, setting a remarkable example of faith and service.\u201d \n\n\n\n\u201cStudents from two communities that were once divided by decades of civil war are learning to understand and appreciate each other\u2019s backgrounds, forming meaningful friendships rooted in Christ.\u201d \n\n\n\nGrowing in leadership \n\n\n\nAnd movements testify to the formative impact of the ministry: \n\n\n\n\u201cS 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.\u201d \n\n\n\nOne student leader says: \n\n\n\n\u201cI was so busy in my daily life, striving for my studies and my career. I\u2019d thought that I couldn\u2019t 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.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for many students who are open to the good news and for those who have chosen to follow Christ, despite facing pressure or persecution for it. Ask that God will protect and strengthen them and that their testimonies and lives will draw others to the beauty of Jesus. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for the South Asian IFES movements as they equip students to engage with social issues like emigration and divisions over ethnicity, class, and caste. May their living out of the gospel bring blessing to their societies. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for student leaders who are struggling with confidence, busyness, or ambition \u2013 that they will know the boldness, peace, and direction of the Holy Spirit. \n\n\n\n\nInterested to learn more about what IFES movements shared in the worldwide ministry survey? Watch out for September\u2019s Conexi\u00f3n blog! \nThe post Standing Firm, Stepping Forward appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-09-02T07:00:00+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-02T13:35:59+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BSFB-group.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47747", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/everybody-grows/", "title": "Everybody Grows", "content_html": "It\u2019s a growing ministry.
\nFOCUS, 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 \u2013 until they revived the Short-Term Experience in Ministry (STEM) program.
\nThis year, STEM has given seven graduates the opportunity to receive hands-on training while ministering among students. \u201cIt was an inevitable responsibility that we needed to pursue,\u201d says Patrick Barasa, FOCUS General Secretary.
\nNow, both students and staff are growing.
\nThe 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:
\n\u201cThanks to the expertise and mentorship of STEM staff, we\u2019ve been much more effective in planning and implementing our activities. As they\u2019ve walked alongside us, we\u2019ve developed as leaders \u2013 in knowledge and practical skills. And their active participation in outreach events has boosted our capacity to reach out to peers.\u201d
\nSuch 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.
\nAnd it\u2019s not just the students that are benefiting \u2013 STEM staff are also experiencing personal and spiritual growth. Maureen Nabwire, serving in the Busoga region, notes:
\n\u201cOver the past few months, I\u2019ve been able to learn how to associate and communicate with people from different societies, how to relate to and engage with students. I\u2019ve realized that I can truly rely on God as my provider even through the challenges of mobilizing resources.\u201d
\nAt 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.
\nSTEM staff have grown in other ways, too. Robert Wabulimbo, who\u2019s been serving Samuel\u2019s CU, adds: \u201cI\u2019ve learned to raise ministry funds and to be accountable for writing reports on finances and activities.\u201d
\nGeneral Secretary Patrick concludes:
\n\u201cWith the growing number of CUs, this strategy not only gives us the best shot at effectively discipling students. It\u2019s also a way of nurturing graduates who will impact our churches and society.\u201d
\nIf you\u2019d like to partner with the students and associates in Uganda who\u2019ll be giving to FOCUS, you can donate here.
\nThe post Everybody Grows appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "It\u2019s a growing ministry. \n\n\n\nFOCUS, 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 \u2013 until they revived the Short-Term Experience in Ministry (STEM) program. \n\n\n\nThis year, STEM has given seven graduates the opportunity to receive hands-on training while ministering among students. \u201cIt was an inevitable responsibility that we needed to pursue,\u201d says Patrick Barasa, FOCUS General Secretary. \n\n\n\nNow, both students and staff are growing. \n\n\n\nStudents Mentored \n\n\n\nThe 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: \n\n\n\n\u201cThanks to the expertise and mentorship of STEM staff, we\u2019ve been much more effective in planning and implementing our activities. As they\u2019ve walked alongside us, we\u2019ve developed as leaders \u2013 in knowledge and practical skills. And their active participation in outreach events has boosted our capacity to reach out to peers.\u201d \n\n\n\nSuch 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. \n\n\n\nStaff Mobilised \n\n\n\nAnd it\u2019s not just the students that are benefiting \u2013 STEM staff are also experiencing personal and spiritual growth. Maureen Nabwire, serving in the Busoga region, notes: \n\n\n\n\u201cOver the past few months, I\u2019ve been able to learn how to associate and communicate with people from different societies, how to relate to and engage with students. I\u2019ve realized that I can truly rely on God as my provider even through the challenges of mobilizing resources.\u201d \n\n\n\nAt 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. \n\n\n\nSTEM staff have grown in other ways, too. Robert Wabulimbo, who\u2019s been serving Samuel\u2019s CU, adds: \u201cI\u2019ve learned to raise ministry funds and to be accountable for writing reports on finances and activities.\u201d \n\n\n\nGeneral Secretary Patrick concludes: \n\n\n\n\u201cWith the growing number of CUs, this strategy not only gives us the best shot at effectively discipling students. It\u2019s also a way of nurturing graduates who will impact our churches and society.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for this year\u2019s STEM program \u2013 \u201cthrough earnest prayer and strategic requests, God provided the resources necessary for the training and relaunch\u201d. Thank God for the growth that students, like Samuel, and staff, like Maureen and Robert, have experienced. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray that FOCUS will be able to realise its vision of having at least five STEM staff in each of its eight regions \u2013 and that this will foster further growth for students and graduates. \n\n\n\n\n\nAsk the Lord to stir hearts on 1 September, when FOCUS invites students and associates to give at least 10,000 Ugandan shillings (around 3 US dollars) to support discipleship programs. And pray for a breakthrough with paperwork approvals and financial needs for a building project at the FOCUS office in Kampala. \n\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019d like to partner with the students and associates in Uganda who\u2019ll be giving to FOCUS, you can donate here. \nThe post Everybody Grows appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-08-19T00:12:19+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-21T10:25:24+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FOCUS-Uganda.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47419", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/difficult-topics-direct-talk/", "title": "Difficult Topics, Direct Talk", "content_html": "\u201cI 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.\u201d
\nThis young woman was not alone. The other 150 students attending TSCF Papua New Guinea\u2019s Bible Summit in June also welcomed the opportunity to talk about intimate relationships and receive guidance from Scripture.
\nJuliette, a TSCF staff worker, notes:
\n\u201cIn 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\u2019ve had is from \u2018personal development class\u2019.\u201d
\nSo, the team decided that this year\u2019s Summit should help students gain a biblical perspective and see Christ as Lord over sexuality and marriage.
\nOne third-year law student described the experience as \u201cdeeply eye-opening\u201d. He felt challenged about walking into a relationship and just \u201cwinging it\u201d. He wants to be more intentional.
\n\u201cThe summit made it clear that love is not about satisfying your desire, but about commitment, sacri\ufb01ce, 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.\u201d
\nHe also left with a solid understanding of worth and integrity:
\n\u201cI\u2019ve come to recognise that my worth, security, and identity come from Christ alone, not from relationships, approval, sexual experience, or cultural expectations of \u2018being the man\u2019. I now see this not as a restriction but as freedom \u2013 a joyful, powerful way of living that honours God and protects what he values most: his image in me and others.\u201d
\nThe summit\u2019s 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:
\n\u201cIn 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 \u2018absent fathers\u2019. And polygamy is widespread, generally accepted as a sign of male strength.\u201d
\nDavid Walter, IFES Regional Secretary for the South Pacific, points out how strategic this Summit has been:
\n\u201cIt\u2019s superb to see the national movement tackling something that\u2019s 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.\u201d
\nThe post Difficult Topics, Direct Talk appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "\u201cI 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.\u201d \n\n\n\nThis young woman was not alone. The other 150 students attending TSCF Papua New Guinea\u2019s Bible Summit in June also welcomed the opportunity to talk about intimate relationships and receive guidance from Scripture. \n\n\n\nJuliette, a TSCF staff worker, notes: \n\n\n\n\u201cIn 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\u2019ve had is from \u2018personal development class\u2019.\u201d \n\n\n\nSo, the team decided that this year\u2019s Summit should help students gain a biblical perspective and see Christ as Lord over sexuality and marriage. \n\n\n\nRestriction to Freedom \n\n\n\nOne third-year law student described the experience as \u201cdeeply eye-opening\u201d. He felt challenged about walking into a relationship and just \u201cwinging it\u201d. He wants to be more intentional. \n\n\n\n\u201cThe summit made it clear that love is not about satisfying your desire, but about commitment, sacri\ufb01ce, 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.\u201d \n\n\n\nHe also left with a solid understanding of worth and integrity: \n\n\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve come to recognise that my worth, security, and identity come from Christ alone, not from relationships, approval, sexual experience, or cultural expectations of \u2018being the man\u2019. I now see this not as a restriction but as freedom \u2013 a joyful, powerful way of living that honours God and protects what he values most: his image in me and others.\u201d \n\n\n\nSilence to Service \n\n\n\nThe summit\u2019s 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: \n\n\n\n\u201cIn 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 \u2018absent fathers\u2019. And polygamy is widespread, generally accepted as a sign of male strength.\u201d \n\n\n\nDavid Walter, IFES Regional Secretary for the South Pacific, points out how strategic this Summit has been: \n\n\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s superb to see the national movement tackling something that\u2019s 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.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for the vision to discuss such difficult topics at Summit, for the engagement with Scripture, and for the positive impact on participants. Pray that students will continue to bring cultural norms before the light of God\u2019s Word and choose to honour him.\u202f \n\n\n\n\n\nAs the one male TSCF staff worker (apart from the General Secretary) departs to further his studies, ask the Lord to stir young men to join the sta\ufb00 team. Currently, five young female staff support student leaders across different campuses.\u202f \n\n\n\n\n\nStudents and staff from TSCF will soon travel to the Solomon Islands for the South Paci\ufb01c Regional Conference (11-14 September). Pray that the teaching and cross-cultural fellowship will strengthen student witness in each movement \u2013 and ask that those without local IFES ministry will be inspired to start it. \n\nThe post Difficult Topics, Direct Talk appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-08-05T16:43:22+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-07T10:48:01+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PNG-fun.png" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47292", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/giving-god-space/", "title": "Giving God Space", "content_html": "The midsummer boat trip wasn\u2019t a typical outreach event (but it\u2019s now a tradition!). And the upcoming European Student Festival won\u2019t be your typical IFES conference either. So, what\u2019s going on in Latvia?
\nThe IFES national movement, LKSB, is creating space \u2013 and waiting to see what God will do in it.
\nThe midsummer boat trip \u2013 three days\u2019 camping down a river \u2013 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 \u2013 with no \u201cagenda\u201d. No pre-planned devotional, no Bible studies, no talks.
\nUlvis Kravalis, LKSB General Secretary, explains:
\n\u201cIt\u2019s about experiencing adventure on a river with Christians. It\u2019s an organic way of connecting with each other and God. Through friendship, round the campfire, deep and meaningful conversations open up. We\u2019ve even had six people come to Christ through it!\u201d
\nOne summer under the stars, two Christian students naturally shared their testimonies. Ulvis recalls: \u201cthe atmosphere became so thick that we felt like we could touch God’s love\u201d. 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.
\nIt\u2019s 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.
\nWith the theme \u201cKingdom Come\u201d, it will have the usual elements of an IFES event \u2013 quality Bible teaching, hands-on workshops, and cross-cultural sharing in small groups. But it\u2019s more than a typical conference. Students will also be able to enjoy sports, art, music, dance, good food \u2013 and the beach!
\nChristian Pichler, Associate IFES Regional Secretary for Europe and Director of ESF, says:
\n\u201cWe 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 \u2013 it’s more of a festival with people choosing activities, hanging out together, and having time for conversations.\u201d
\nUlvis agrees:
\u201cThere\u2019ll be talks of a very high quality \u2013 even life–changing \u2013 so, I’m really looking forward to that. But what excites me most is the potential for those unplanned, \u2018accidental\u2019 conversations \u2013 standing in a line for food, passing by at a stall in the exhibition hall, or chatting after playing ball together.\u201d
\nHear more about Christian\u2019s and Ulvis\u2019s hopes for the European Student Festival in this Voices of IFES podcast episode:
\nThe post Giving God Space appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "The midsummer boat trip wasn\u2019t a typical outreach event (but it\u2019s now a tradition!). And the upcoming European Student Festival won\u2019t be your typical IFES conference either. So, what\u2019s going on in Latvia? \n\n\n\nThe IFES national movement, LKSB, is creating space \u2013 and waiting to see what God will do in it. \n\n\n\nSpace by the River \n\n\n\nThe midsummer boat trip \u2013 three days\u2019 camping down a river \u2013 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 \u2013 with no \u201cagenda\u201d. No pre-planned devotional, no Bible studies, no talks. \n\n\n\nUlvis Kravalis, LKSB General Secretary, explains: \n\n\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s about experiencing adventure on a river with Christians. It\u2019s an organic way of connecting with each other and God. Through friendship, round the campfire, deep and meaningful conversations open up. We\u2019ve even had six people come to Christ through it!\u201d \n\n\n\nOne summer under the stars, two Christian students naturally shared their testimonies. Ulvis recalls: \u201cthe atmosphere became so thick that we felt like we could touch God’s love\u201d. 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. \n\n\n\nSpace at the Festival \n\n\n\nIt\u2019s 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. \n\n\n\nWith the theme \u201cKingdom Come\u201d, it will have the usual elements of an IFES event \u2013 quality Bible teaching, hands-on workshops, and cross-cultural sharing in small groups. But it\u2019s more than a typical conference. Students will also be able to enjoy sports, art, music, dance, good food \u2013 and the beach! \n\n\n\nChristian Pichler, Associate IFES Regional Secretary for Europe and Director of ESF, says: \n\n\n\n\u201cWe 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 \u2013 it’s more of a festival with people choosing activities, hanging out together, and having time for conversations.\u201d \n\n\n\nUlvis agrees: \n\n\n\n\u201cThere\u2019ll be talks of a very high quality \u2013 even life–changing \u2013 so, I’m really looking forward to that. But what excites me most is the potential for those unplanned, \u2018accidental\u2019 conversations \u2013 standing in a line for food, passing by at a stall in the exhibition hall, or chatting after playing ball together.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nPraise God for how he\u2019s working through typical, planned events and atypical, unplanned encounters \u2013 and give thanks for those who\u2019ve been reached through LKSB\u2019s friendship and prayers. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray that it won\u2019t be a \u201ctypical summer\u201d for all those attending ESF (16-21 August) \u2013 that they will have an eye-opening and heart-awakening experience of what \u201cKingdom Come\u201d can look like on their campuses. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for the organising team, speakers, seminar leaders, and volunteers \u2013 that they will know the Lord\u2019s leading and protection. And ask that he will provide for higher-than-expected costs. \n\n\n\n\nHear more about Christian\u2019s and Ulvis\u2019s hopes for the European Student Festival in this Voices of IFES podcast episode:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe post Giving God Space appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-07-22T08:00:00+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-07-22T15:25:46+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/LKSB-boat-trip.jpeg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47197", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/seriously/", "title": "Seriously?", "content_html": "Evangelism is religious propaganda.
\nThis is the view of many students in Moldova. On campus, talk of Jesus isn\u2019t often taken seriously. Veaceslav Tu\u0219inschi, Director for CSC, the IFES national movement, explains:
\n\u201cStudent life is marked by materialism and individualism. Some students may agree to a brief discussion on Christian topics, but that\u2019s usually out of politeness, mild curiosity, or a desire to contradict you.\u201d
\nSo, CSC students in Chi\u0219in\u0103u were deeply encouraged when invitations to their \u201cSerios?\u201d mission week led to serious interest from peers.
\nChristina 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 \u2013 and busy \u2013 and didn\u2019t 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.
\nTo follow up the week, various groups were planned \u2013 socials, discussion groups, and a seeker\u2019s Bible study. Gabriel chose the Bible study!
\nVeaceslav reports, \u201cHe\u2019s 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.\u201d
\nEugenia, 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.
\nBut he couldn\u2019t wait. When the program ended, he hung around chatting with Veaceslav and two others.
\n\u201cAfter we\u2019d left the caf\u00e9, 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 \u2013 it seemed like he was so intrigued that he wasn\u2019t yet ready to part ways.\u201d
\nEugenia 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.
\nThe post Seriously? appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "Evangelism is religious propaganda. \n\n\n\nThis is the view of many students in Moldova. On campus, talk of Jesus isn\u2019t often taken seriously. Veaceslav Tu\u0219inschi, Director for CSC, the IFES national movement, explains: \n\n\n\n\u201cStudent life is marked by materialism and individualism. Some students may agree to a brief discussion on Christian topics, but that\u2019s usually out of politeness, mild curiosity, or a desire to contradict you.\u201d \n\n\n\nSo, CSC students in Chi\u0219in\u0103u were deeply encouraged when invitations to their \u201cSerios?\u201d mission week led to serious interest from peers. \n\n\n\nBusy, Shy, but Interested \n\n\n\nChristina 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 \u2013 and busy \u2013 and didn\u2019t 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. \n\n\n\nTo follow up the week, various groups were planned \u2013 socials, discussion groups, and a seeker\u2019s Bible study. Gabriel chose the Bible study! \n\n\n\nVeaceslav reports, \u201cHe\u2019s 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.\u201d \n\n\n\nBeyond Curious \n\n\n\nEugenia, 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. \n\n\n\nBut he couldn\u2019t wait. When the program ended, he hung around chatting with Veaceslav and two others. \n\n\n\n\u201cAfter we\u2019d left the caf\u00e9, 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 \u2013 it seemed like he was so intrigued that he wasn\u2019t yet ready to part ways.\u201d \n\n\n\nEugenia 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. \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nPraise God for the serious interest generated through the Serios? events week in Chi\u0219in\u0103u. One staff worker remarked, \u201cI was shocked how many of the non-Christian students listened so attentively to every word!\u201d. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for those who heard the gospel for the first time and the 50+ students who gave contact details for follow up \u2013 that their interest will deepen over their summer break. And pray for CSC\u2019s \u201cWelcome to the university, welcome to the community\u201d outreach planned for Chi\u0219in\u0103u and B\u0103l\u021bi in September. \n\n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for CSC Moldova student leaders like Eugenia and Cristina. Please pray for the 16 student leaders from Moldova who are attending the IFES Eurasia Formacion training in Georgia, 20-31 July. Students from a dozen countries will learn and share around the theme of \u201cRooted\u201d \u2013 ask that they will be firmly established in their faith and calling.\n\nThe post Seriously? appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-07-08T10:31:26+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-07-11T13:24:40+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/photo_2025-03-27_13-31-31-rotated.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=conexion&p=46922", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/blog/starting-early/", "title": "STARTING EARLY\u00a0", "content_html": "In some cultures and languages, the word \u201cstudent\u201d is reserved for a young adult at university or college. In others, it can also refer to a child or young person at school.
\n![\"university,](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/01-ETU-pic-1024x683.jpg\")
At its heart and throughout its history, IFES has focused on pioneering and supporting student witness in the world\u2019s universities and colleges.
\nHowever, many of our national movements do not confine ministry to tertiary-level students. Their mission also extends into secondary schools.
\nWhy are movements whose purpose is to reach and equip university students also ministering to school students?
\nWithin IFES, and elsewhere, this is often called \u201chigh school ministry\u201d, although the use and meaning of \u201chigh school\u201d differs from country to country \u2013 as do the ages at which young people attend it. In this blog, we\u2019ll use it to refer to the stage of schooling that precedes university education.
\nWe talked to three IFES movements with a thriving high school ministry \u2013 Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship Canada, Perkantas (Indonesia), and Student Christian Organisation of Malawi. Their reflections, along with information and observations from other movements, provide at least five good reasons for this ministry and offer useful insights into running it.
\nThe year was 1979. Indonesia was suffering from widespread juvenile delinquency. Fights between schools and substance abuse were common. In Surabaya, Mrs Lea Santoso, a staff worker for the local IFES movement Perkantas \u2013 formed just eight years prior \u2013 felt a deep concern for these youngsters.
\nSo, Lea invited a few high school students from her church to study the Bible together. Along with her husband Imam, they nurtured faith, helping them choose Christ\u2019s way rather than the harmful options all around.
\nWhen the students started university, they continued to follow Jesus. And they impressed others with the quality of their character and leadership. Seeing the impact that high school ministry could have, Mr and Mrs Santoso set about expanding this arm of Perkantas. Today, over 1,600 small groups operate across 40 cities.
\nRabea Merry, current High School Ministry Coordinator for Perkantas, says, \u201cschools often express appreciation for the visible Christlike character and academic excellence of our students. And parents support their children\u2019s involvement because they see positive changes in behaviour and performance.\u201d
\nFifty years on, the pressures facing young people in Indonesia are different. But they are still impressionable \u2013 and responsive. The sense of urgency to reach them remains.
\n(c) Perkantas
\n![\"Rabea](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/02-Rabea-M-1024x740.jpg\")
![\"Caribbean,](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/03-CARIFES-Martinique-camp-all-students-1024x769.png\")
Last year, an IFES camp for the French-speaking Caribbean included students from both university and high school.
\nThe same impetus was evident. The program focused on how to resist temptation because of the widespread pressures of drugs, sex, alcohol, and conforming to social trends.
\nIn Canada, Vanessa Kordupel, Director of Youth and High School Ministry in IVCF, has noticed that churches are deeply worried about her country\u2019s \u201cchanging landscape\u201d, with its increasingly secular and digital environment. She sees this as a pressing opportunity: \u201cThey\u2019re an amazing generation \u2013 they just need equipping!\u201d.
\nCampus ministry to high school students isn\u2019t solely motivated by the idea of reaching students \u201cbefore university\u201d because many of them will not go on to further study. Although the number of students in tertiary education has doubled globally in the last 20 years, countless influential young people will never go to university. High school ministry represents a chance to reach them.
\nIn Germany, around 30% of 20-24 years olds choose a non-tertiary vocational qualification. Since the 1960s, the local IFES movement, SMD, has been accompanying and supporting student Bible study groups (SBKs) in schools, aiming to \u201cgive God space in everyday school life\u201d. They currently work with around 200 groups and provide resources for starting a new SBK.
\n![\"German](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/04-SMD_Startseite_Jacob-Lund_Adobe-Stock_Header-1024x358.jpg\")
(c) SMD
\nTypically, groups will read the Bible and pray together, discuss difficult questions they\u2019re facing, stand up for justice, and pass on God\u2019s love in practical ways. Even though some of these Christian students may not go on to experience the way in which SMD is \u201cengaging the university\u201d, they will have learned how to think and live in a consistently Christian way.
\n![\"high](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/05-IVCF-Canada-camps-pic.png\")
In Canada, annual camps have been a core component of IVCF ministry since Howard Guinness founded the movement almost 100 years ago.
\nToday, such ministry is still going strong. Last year, over 7,700 children and teens attended one of nine camps across the country.
\nThe camps\u2019 importance is conveyed by a story from Anne Douglas, Associate Director of Camps:
\n\n\n\u201cWhen I went to say goodnight to some girls, their cabin leader told me that four of them had decided to follow Jesus that evening. I stayed for a moment to pray with them. Their requests were heart-wrenching, particularly the number of their parents mired in addiction.\u201d
\n
Another good reason for reaching high schoolers is that they gain a flavour of campus ministry. As they explore big issues, engage with Scripture, and enjoy fellowship with peers, they taste the essential ingredients of an IFES university group.
\nThis strategy has been particularly effective for movements that do not yet have any designated ministry in schools.
\nFor example, BSFB Bangladesh has seen much fruit from including students aged 14+ in their annual camps. Savithri, Regional Secretary for South Asia, describes them as a \u201cfeeder for university ministry\u201d.
\n![\"Bangladesh,](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/06-BSFB-WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-16-at-08.55.03_456304a2-1024x627.jpg\")
![\"high](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/07-Vanessa-hs-students-former-1024x723.jpg\")
This is also true where groups exist in high schools. Vanessa (IVCF Canada) notes how Howard Guiness\u2019 pioneering vision was that high school ministry would form a vital bridge between camps and campuses.
\nShe also stresses how their work in schools naturally leads into university ministry because the \u201cstudents reaching students\u201d ethos is the same. IVCF high school ministry is supported by staff, volunteers, and youth pastors, but their role is only ever to equip students to lead. Staff may offer one-to-one discipleship conversations over a bubble tea or run leadership training on sharing faith and issues of identity. But it\u2019s the teenagers who are leading lunchtime Bible studies and Alpha groups.
\nStudents are also the ones to plan and execute \u201cservice projects\u201d in the school community. In one, they put positive messages on Post-it notes and stuck them around the toilet area during exam season. Student leaders might also approach a school principal to ask for permission to run a group.
\nIn SCOM Malawi, General Secretary Ellen Napala, observes the same kind of initiative:
\n\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s amazing to see that many branches of our school ministry are opened by students. When a student who has been part of SCOM transfers to a school without a group, they liaise with school management and start one \u2013 it\u2019s only afterwards that our staff and volunteers find out!\u201d
\n
![\"students,](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/08-JS-Suriname-1024x1024.jpg\")
With this level of hands-on involvement, by the time students finish school and enter university, they\u2019re ready to lead on campus.
\nIn the Caribbean, Kayley\u2019s experience of JS Suriname at high school led her to help re-establish JS university ministry.\u00a0\u00a0
\nVanessa (IVCF Canada) sees such students as \u201ca gift\u201d to campus staff \u2013 \u201cfrom Day 1, they are excited by the vision and trained for ministry, ready to lead interactive Bible studies, hold gospel conversations, and meet challenges with courage and resilience.\u201d
\nRabea (Perkantas Indonesia) agrees: \u201cWe believe that high school ministry forms a foundation for university ministry. Reaching students early allows for stronger discipleship and the development of godly leadership. We see many who were discipled in high school continue as spiritual leaders on campus and in local churches.\u201d
\nIn Malawi, Ellen adds that SCOM has the backing of churches, the Ministry of Education, and other key figures in society because its school ministry has raised godly leaders for over 60 years: \u201cThe impact of SCOM cannot be ignored because most people who are doing well or in key positions today attribute their success to their involvement with SCOM from their high school days.\u201d
\nThe benefit of an IFES movement\u2019s high school ministry is not only felt \u201cat home\u201d. In many cases it reaches beyond borders. SCF Mauritius say that around half of the school leavers on their island go to study abroad, becoming \u201ca gift\u201d to campus staff in a sister movement. Indeed, GBUC, the French-speaking movement in Canada, as well as movements in North Africa, frequently receive international students whose involvement at high school has given them a heart for IFES ministry.
\nWhen you visit some IFES movements\u2019 websites, a continuous, integrated whole is immediately clear. For example, both IVCF Canada and SMD Germany have designated sections for high school students, university students, and graduates (young professionals).
\nEllen (SCOM Malawi) describes how three interconnected parts facilitate a deeper engagement with the ministry \u2013 and fuller support in following years:
\n\n\n\u201cWith more time to disciple and mentor students through high school and university, the students cultivate a stronger relationship with the national movement. It\u2019s easier to recruit graduates as volunteers (\u201cAssociates\u201d) because they have seen the benefits of this ministry. And getting them to support the ministry is easier because they saw how others invested in them.\u201d
\n
She also says that involving university students in high school ministry develops relationships so that high school students already have mentors to look to when they enter university. \u201cIt\u2019s very unlikely that they wouldn\u2019t join the fellowship at university \u2013 they\u2019re already hooked!\u201d
\nMoreover, high school ministry in Malawi is largely run by SCOM graduates. They are the ones that organize most outreach activities and mobilize resources for conferences. Of this year\u2019s 41 conferences countrywide, 40 were organized and resourced by graduates, with support from other partners. Associates also visit schools to provide encouragement, guidance, and training. Without this kind of mobilisation, it would be impossible for SCOM to reach its 350,000 high school students across 1,700 schools.
\n![\"high](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/10-SCOM-HSM-2-1024x768.jpg\")
Vanessa (IVCF Canada) also observes a resourcing and engagement that travels in the other direction. Her years of ministry have convinced her that high school students are like \u201ccultural prophets\u201d \u2013 they represent what\u2019s coming to the university in four to five years\u2019 time. She believes that staff who mainly serve on university campuses would enhance their ministry by giving 5-10 hours a term to high school ministry.
\nWith at least these five good reasons for high school ministry, IFES is aiming to better connect movements that are running it (around 60) and those who are looking to start.
\nIn June, more than 50 high school ministry staff from seven movements in the East Asia region joined an online webinar called \u201cBridging the Gaps \u2013 Understanding and Discipling the High Schoolers\u201d. Staff from CEF Taiwan and IVCF Philippines shared specific challenges and opportunities they\u2019ve encountered in reaching this generation (\u201clet them lead, let them explore, even if it feels messy or slow!\u201d).
\nGlobally, the IFES leadership recently welcomed proposals for a high school ministry working group, a community for sharing ideas, and a resource library. The diversity of experiences and contexts across a truly international fellowship will allow for a rich exchange of best practice.
\nSometimes, sharing of expertise even comes full circle. Vanessa (IVCF Canada) mentioned how helpful it was to speak with staff from Jamaica at IFES World Assembly in 2023. The school work there was pioneered by a Canadian staff worker, Cathy Nicoll in 1948. She helped start groups in six schools, leading to the formation of the Inter School Christian Fellowship (ISCF), a branch of what is now SCF/SU Jamaica. This legacy spread across the Caribbean. Today, many movements carry the \u201cIS/IVCF\u201d label \u2013 Inter-School and Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.
\n\u201cIt was amazing to hear what they\u2019re doing \u2013 and encouraging to think that as a movement we can now learn from them!\u201d, Vanessa says.
\n![\"young](\"https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/09-SCFSU-Jamaica-1024x364.jpg\")
Each movement, of course, ministers in its own context. The stories above illustrate how IFES movements\u2019 high school ministry has usually been a wise and strategic response to local need or opportunity. In some countries, it\u2019s not always necessary or appropriate to start groups in schools since other organisations are present. But fruitful partnerships can be explored.
\nOne way or another, this age group can benefit from the student-led, outward-focused, biblically engaging, leader-raising ministry that IFES offers. And since high school students are more globally connected and aware than ever, the \u201cno time to waste\u201d reason feels particularly pertinent:
\n\n\n\u201cThis ministry allows IFES movements to be present in the lives of students at a very critical stage of their lives \u2013 when they are searching and trying to discover who they are and what they want to become. This is the time to introduce Christ and his kingdom values to them!\u201d Ellen (SCOM Malawi).
\n
We\u2019d love to pray for you!
\nTell us how we can by sending in a World Student Day prayer request. Then, thousands of people all around the world will pray for you on 16 October.
\nThe post STARTING EARLY\u00a0 appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "What comes to your mind when you hear the word students? Where are they? What are they doing? How old are they? \n\n\n\nIn some cultures and languages, the word \u201cstudent\u201d is reserved for a young adult at university or college. In others, it can also refer to a child or young person at school. \n\n\n\n\nAt its heart and throughout its history, IFES has focused on pioneering and supporting student witness in the world\u2019s universities and colleges. \n\n\n\nHowever, many of our national movements do not confine ministry to tertiary-level students. Their mission also extends into secondary schools. \n\n\n\nIn this Conexi\u00f3n blog, we ask why. \n\n\n\n\nWhy are movements whose purpose is to reach and equip university students also ministering to school students? \n\n\n\nWithin IFES, and elsewhere, this is often called \u201chigh school ministry\u201d, although the use and meaning of \u201chigh school\u201d differs from country to country \u2013 as do the ages at which young people attend it. In this blog, we\u2019ll use it to refer to the stage of schooling that precedes university education. \n\n\n\nWe talked to three IFES movements with a thriving high school ministry \u2013 Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship Canada, Perkantas (Indonesia), and Student Christian Organisation of Malawi. Their reflections, along with information and observations from other movements, provide at least five good reasons for this ministry and offer useful insights into running it. \n\n\n\n1: NO TIME TO WASTE \n\n\n\nThe year was 1979. Indonesia was suffering from widespread juvenile delinquency. Fights between schools and substance abuse were common. In Surabaya, Mrs Lea Santoso, a staff worker for the local IFES movement Perkantas \u2013 formed just eight years prior \u2013 felt a deep concern for these youngsters. \n\n\n\nSo, Lea invited a few high school students from her church to study the Bible together. Along with her husband Imam, they nurtured faith, helping them choose Christ\u2019s way rather than the harmful options all around. \n\n\n\nWhen the students started university, they continued to follow Jesus. And they impressed others with the quality of their character and leadership. Seeing the impact that high school ministry could have, Mr and Mrs Santoso set about expanding this arm of Perkantas. Today, over 1,600 small groups operate across 40 cities. \n\n\n\n\nRabea Merry, current High School Ministry Coordinator for Perkantas, says, \u201cschools often express appreciation for the visible Christlike character and academic excellence of our students. And parents support their children\u2019s involvement because they see positive changes in behaviour and performance.\u201d \n\n\n\nFifty years on, the pressures facing young people in Indonesia are different. But they are still impressionable \u2013 and responsive. The sense of urgency to reach them remains. \n\n\n\n(c) Perkantas \n\n\n\n\n\nLast year, an IFES camp for the French-speaking Caribbean included students from both university and high school. \n\n\n\nThe same impetus was evident. The program focused on how to resist temptation because of the widespread pressures of drugs, sex, alcohol, and conforming to social trends. \n\n\n\n\nIn Canada, Vanessa Kordupel, Director of Youth and High School Ministry in IVCF, has noticed that churches are deeply worried about her country\u2019s \u201cchanging landscape\u201d, with its increasingly secular and digital environment. She sees this as a pressing opportunity: \u201cThey\u2019re an amazing generation \u2013 they just need equipping!\u201d. \n\n\n\n2: NO-ONE MISSES OUT \n\n\n\nCampus ministry to high school students isn\u2019t solely motivated by the idea of reaching students \u201cbefore university\u201d because many of them will not go on to further study. Although the number of students in tertiary education has doubled globally in the last 20 years, countless influential young people will never go to university. High school ministry represents a chance to reach them. \n\n\n\nIn Germany, around 30% of 20-24 years olds choose a non-tertiary vocational qualification. Since the 1960s, the local IFES movement, SMD, has been accompanying and supporting student Bible study groups (SBKs) in schools, aiming to \u201cgive God space in everyday school life\u201d. They currently work with around 200 groups and provide resources for starting a new SBK. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n(c) SMD \n\n\n\nTypically, groups will read the Bible and pray together, discuss difficult questions they\u2019re facing, stand up for justice, and pass on God\u2019s love in practical ways. Even though some of these Christian students may not go on to experience the way in which SMD is \u201cengaging the university\u201d, they will have learned how to think and live in a consistently Christian way. \n\n\n\n\nIn Canada, annual camps have been a core component of IVCF ministry since Howard Guinness founded the movement almost 100 years ago.\n\n\n\n Today, such ministry is still going strong. Last year, over 7,700 children and teens attended one of nine camps across the country. \n\n\n\n\n(c) InterVarsity Canada \n\n\n\nThe camps\u2019 importance is conveyed by a story from Anne Douglas, Associate Director of Camps: \n\n\n\n\n\u201cWhen I went to say goodnight to some girls, their cabin leader told me that four of them had decided to follow Jesus that evening. I stayed for a moment to pray with them. Their requests were heart-wrenching, particularly the number of their parents mired in addiction.\u201d \n\n\n\n\n3: A TASTE OF CAMPUS WITNESS \n\n\n\nAnother good reason for reaching high schoolers is that they gain a flavour of campus ministry. As they explore big issues, engage with Scripture, and enjoy fellowship with peers, they taste the essential ingredients of an IFES university group.\n\n\n\n\nThis strategy has been particularly effective for movements that do not yet have any designated ministry in schools.\n\n\n\nFor example, BSFB Bangladesh has seen much fruit from including students aged 14+ in their annual camps. Savithri, Regional Secretary for South Asia, describes them as a \u201cfeeder for university ministry\u201d. \n\n\n\n\n\nThis is also true where groups exist in high schools. Vanessa (IVCF Canada) notes how Howard Guiness\u2019 pioneering vision was that high school ministry would form a vital bridge between camps and campuses. \n\n\n\nShe also stresses how their work in schools naturally leads into university ministry because the \u201cstudents reaching students\u201d ethos is the same. IVCF high school ministry is supported by staff, volunteers, and youth pastors, but their role is only ever to equip students to lead. Staff may offer one-to-one discipleship conversations over a bubble tea or run leadership training on sharing faith and issues of identity. But it\u2019s the teenagers who are leading lunchtime Bible studies and Alpha groups. \n\n\n\n\nStudents are also the ones to plan and execute \u201cservice projects\u201d in the school community. In one, they put positive messages on Post-it notes and stuck them around the toilet area during exam season. Student leaders might also approach a school principal to ask for permission to run a group. \n\n\n\nIn SCOM Malawi, General Secretary Ellen Napala, observes the same kind of initiative: \n\n\n\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s amazing to see that many branches of our school ministry are opened by students. When a student who has been part of SCOM transfers to a school without a group, they liaise with school management and start one \u2013 it\u2019s only afterwards that our staff and volunteers find out!\u201d \n\n\n\n\n4: READY-MADE LEADERS \n\n\n\n\nWith this level of hands-on involvement, by the time students finish school and enter university, they\u2019re ready to lead on campus.\n\n\n\nIn the Caribbean, Kayley\u2019s experience of JS Suriname at high school led her to help re-establish JS university ministry.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\n\nVanessa (IVCF Canada) sees such students as \u201ca gift\u201d to campus staff \u2013 \u201cfrom Day 1, they are excited by the vision and trained for ministry, ready to lead interactive Bible studies, hold gospel conversations, and meet challenges with courage and resilience.\u201d \n\n\n\nRabea (Perkantas Indonesia) agrees: \u201cWe believe that high school ministry forms a foundation for university ministry. Reaching students early allows for stronger discipleship and the development of godly leadership. We see many who were discipled in high school continue as spiritual leaders on campus and in local churches.\u201d \n\n\n\nIn Malawi, Ellen adds that SCOM has the backing of churches, the Ministry of Education, and other key figures in society because its school ministry has raised godly leaders for over 60 years: \u201cThe impact of SCOM cannot be ignored because most people who are doing well or in key positions today attribute their success to their involvement with SCOM from their high school days.\u201d \n\n\n\nThe benefit of an IFES movement\u2019s high school ministry is not only felt \u201cat home\u201d. In many cases it reaches beyond borders. SCF Mauritius say that around half of the school leavers on their island go to study abroad, becoming \u201ca gift\u201d to campus staff in a sister movement. Indeed, GBUC, the French-speaking movement in Canada, as well as movements in North Africa, frequently receive international students whose involvement at high school has given them a heart for IFES ministry. \n\n\n\n5: FULLER ENGAGEMENT \n\n\n\nWhen you visit some IFES movements\u2019 websites, a continuous, integrated whole is immediately clear. For example, both IVCF Canada and SMD Germany have designated sections for high school students, university students, and graduates (young professionals). \n\n\n\nEllen (SCOM Malawi) describes how three interconnected parts facilitate a deeper engagement with the ministry \u2013 and fuller support in following years: \n\n\n\n\n\u201cWith more time to disciple and mentor students through high school and university, the students cultivate a stronger relationship with the national movement. It\u2019s easier to recruit graduates as volunteers (\u201cAssociates\u201d) because they have seen the benefits of this ministry. And getting them to support the ministry is easier because they saw how others invested in them.\u201d \n\n\n\n\nShe also says that involving university students in high school ministry develops relationships so that high school students already have mentors to look to when they enter university. \u201cIt\u2019s very unlikely that they wouldn\u2019t join the fellowship at university \u2013 they\u2019re already hooked!\u201d \n\n\n\nMoreover, high school ministry in Malawi is largely run by SCOM graduates. They are the ones that organize most outreach activities and mobilize resources for conferences. Of this year\u2019s 41 conferences countrywide, 40 were organized and resourced by graduates, with support from other partners. Associates also visit schools to provide encouragement, guidance, and training. Without this kind of mobilisation, it would be impossible for SCOM to reach its 350,000 high school students across 1,700 schools. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nVanessa (IVCF Canada) also observes a resourcing and engagement that travels in the other direction. Her years of ministry have convinced her that high school students are like \u201ccultural prophets\u201d \u2013 they represent what\u2019s coming to the university in four to five years\u2019 time. She believes that staff who mainly serve on university campuses would enhance their ministry by giving 5-10 hours a term to high school ministry. \n\n\n\nGROWING INTEREST \n\n\n\nWith at least these five good reasons for high school ministry, IFES is aiming to better connect movements that are running it (around 60) and those who are looking to start. \n\n\n\nIn June, more than 50 high school ministry staff from seven movements in the East Asia region joined an online webinar called \u201cBridging the Gaps \u2013 Understanding and Discipling the High Schoolers\u201d. Staff from CEF Taiwan and IVCF Philippines shared specific challenges and opportunities they\u2019ve encountered in reaching this generation (\u201clet them lead, let them explore, even if it feels messy or slow!\u201d). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGlobally, the IFES leadership recently welcomed proposals for a high school ministry working group, a community for sharing ideas, and a resource library. The diversity of experiences and contexts across a truly international fellowship will allow for a rich exchange of best practice. \n\n\n\nSometimes, sharing of expertise even comes full circle. Vanessa (IVCF Canada) mentioned how helpful it was to speak with staff from Jamaica at IFES World Assembly in 2023. The school work there was pioneered by a Canadian staff worker, Cathy Nicoll in 1948. She helped start groups in six schools, leading to the formation of the Inter School Christian Fellowship (ISCF), a branch of what is now SCF/SU Jamaica. This legacy spread across the Caribbean. Today, many movements carry the \u201cIS/IVCF\u201d label \u2013 Inter-School and Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. \n\n\n\n\u201cIt was amazing to hear what they\u2019re doing \u2013 and encouraging to think that as a movement we can now learn from them!\u201d, Vanessa says. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n(c) Students Christian Fellowship & Scripture Union \n\n\n\nTHE WAY AHEAD \n\n\n\nEach movement, of course, ministers in its own context. The stories above illustrate how IFES movements\u2019 high school ministry has usually been a wise and strategic response to local need or opportunity. In some countries, it\u2019s not always necessary or appropriate to start groups in schools since other organisations are present. But fruitful partnerships can be explored. \n\n\n\nOne way or another, this age group can benefit from the student-led, outward-focused, biblically engaging, leader-raising ministry that IFES offers. And since high school students are more globally connected and aware than ever, the \u201cno time to waste\u201d reason feels particularly pertinent: \n\n\n\n\n\u201cThis ministry allows IFES movements to be present in the lives of students at a very critical stage of their lives \u2013 when they are searching and trying to discover who they are and what they want to become. This is the time to introduce Christ and his kingdom values to them!\u201d Ellen (SCOM Malawi). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAre you involved in high school ministry or hoping to start it? \n\n\n\nWe\u2019d love to pray for you! \n\n\n\nTell us how we can by sending in a World Student Day prayer request. Then, thousands of people all around the world will pray for you on 16 October. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n SHARE A PRAYER REQUEST \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Pray With Us \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThe post STARTING EARLY\u00a0 appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-07-02T21:14:16+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-07T13:14:06+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Vahan Rickards", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/rickardsvahangmail-com/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/ccabac07acfefd2444f42fa9613b6e47.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Vahan Rickards", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/rickardsvahangmail-com/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/ccabac07acfefd2444f42fa9613b6e47.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/STL-event-slides.png" } ] }