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The Third Degree

Missions' flying start

We’re thrilled by what the Lord has been doing through Christian Unions last term. Here are some highlights.

The CU at Reading, in partnership with local churches, hosted a meal for a remarkable 280 international students. Susie, a member of the CU, met a Chinese girl who said she would like to find out more about the Bible. ‘She was very enthusiastic’, commented Gareth Leaney (Staff Worker, Reading). He continues, ‘[she] even asked if she could use a Bible app on her phone so she could understand the translation’.

A record number of delegates attended UCCF’s Forum 2011 CU leader training conference. 1,200 delegates representing around 120 CUs came together to be trained in how to lead. Becky Pippert, Graham Daniels (Director of Christians in Sport), Mark Meynell (Associate Minister, All Souls Church) were among the speakers.

Professions of faith

Some 320 students from 14 CUs in the South East region came together for a joint CU house party to receive Becky Manley Pippert’s Seeker Bible Study training and to launch the Uncover project (see last month’s EN) with explosive results. Becky talked about her experience: ‘I felt it was important to close my third talk in prayer, asking those who had never trusted Christ and wanted to do so to raise their hands. How do you adequately describe a God moment? 15 students raised their hands! Then I prayed for those who had lost their way and wanted to recommit their lives to Christ. I was very direct in describing the seriousness of a compromised life and what they were now committing to — a full surrender to the lordship of Christ — and 25 raised their hands! Becky continued: ‘Then I asked for students who were seriously committed to going back to campus to share their faith, but wanted prayer, to please raise their hands — all 340 students stood!’

Michael Ots (UCCF Associate Christian Union Staff Worker and itinerant evangelist) has reported 25 professions of faith and around 50+ students signed up for follow-up at the Cardiff City-wide CU mission. He tweeted: ‘Think missions no longer work in the UK? In the last two weeks, 100 signed up for follow up & 45 are professing faith!’

Pod Bhogal is Head of Communications, UCCF: The Christian Unions (http://www.uccf.org.uk).
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