Investing in future leaders of the Welsh church

The Universities and Colleges Christian Unions (UCCF) held their second Peitho Forum in Wales, a year on from the first of its kind in 2022.

Ted Turnau, who is a Christian author and lecturer of Cultural Studies and Religion in Prague, Czech Republic was the main speaker at the event, which followed the theme of ‘the imagination.’ Students who attended the event also enjoyed poetry from Leeza Awojobi, who writes performance poetry about what it means to be human.

Connor Reid, Coordinator of the Peitho, said: ‘One of our core values at UCCF is that Christian students are the people best placed to reach other students. I am constantly impressed that when I hear students share the gospel with their friends - no matter how clumsily - they are able to establish a level of connection that is simply beyond me as an older Staff Worker.

‘The Peitho Forum aims to help these students develop as Evangelists, able to maximise this natural connection to share a coherent and compelling picture of Jesus. Through this ministry, we also have the opportunity to invest in future leaders and lay-leaders for the Welsh church, who will be able to communicate the gospel for decades to come.’

A student who attended the event said: ‘Peitho Forum transformed the way I relate to cultural works. I learnt that shared creative imagination is essential if we want to share the gospel with our culture. The UCCF staff and volunteers gave such encouraging and formative feedback so that I can apply these principles to give persuasive evangelistic talks.’