EN: What is IFES? Could you explain something of its nature, history and objectives?
LB: IFES is a network of evangelical student ministries in 150 countries. In 1947 leaders of ten national student ministries met in Harvard with a vision to see a witness to Christ among students in every country. The largest movement is in Nigeria where close to 40,000 students meet in small group Bible studies.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones chaired the International Executive Committee for 16 years; our doctrinal basis, constitution and objectives were shaped under his leadership. All IFES movements have an evangelical basis of faith and share the same three aims: evangelism, discipleship and mobilisation for cross-cultural mission. There are now just 17 countries with no witness to Christ in their universities. Most are in the fertile crescent running through North Africa into Iran and Afghanistan.