We’ve recently heard from students in Latin America and South Africa who have been deeply changed by attending leadership development events. I’ll let them speak for themselves.

Paúl Ruiz Salgado, of CECNIC Nicaragua writes: ‘A passion for service was ignited in me, raising to a new level the call to being a staff worker. Although I am well aware that the challenge is great and the road difficult, I'm willing to do this because I know that God is faithful and that I don’t walk alone.’

Kevin Moreno of CEC Panama describes the same conference as ‘one of the most striking chapters of my life. In each talk, God confronted me, challenged me and gave me confidence in taking my leadership role at my university seriously, giving me a new vision, challenging me to give my best in the movement and in the place where I am.’

Doris Elena Rodríguez, also from CEC Panama, writes about the event: ‘It was a period of training in courage, in power and mercy. Today I value sharing the word of truth with my fellow college classmates in a way they can understand, and I lift up my face to proclaim it as one who does not need to be ashamed. I’ve decided to be like Timothy who, even with his weaknesses, fears and frequent illnesses, was called to exhort and preach.’

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Henry Msimango, a student in SCO South Africa, has attended several leadership camps and was elected chair of the student executive committee of his province. Here’s how Motseki Sosibo, a staff worker with SCO, describes him: ‘Henry is one of the students whom I’ve seen changing in a very amazing way. He has a real heart for serving other students, not only members of his group, but all students in the university. He takes genuine interest in getting to know students and caring for them. Before he even tells them about SCO and the gospel, he wants to know them at a personal level. Students love him!’

How does Henry view his time as a student leader of SCO? ‘I want to do missions when I finish my degree, and I do believe that this training is equipping me for great things to come, that it is training me for my future. My desire is to share God’s word with the nations and I have made up my mind that I want to be more equipped every day to stand for the gospel. So pray for me, for courage and strength to stand and also not to go astray from God’s will.’

The challenge of leadership is not an easy one for the current generation, who look around and see leaders who are corrupt, greedy, self-righteous and abusers of power. Please pray that God will continue to use IFES leadership development conferences all over the world to raise up Christian leaders of integrity and wisdom.

She writes: ‘I am working towards being able to teach my first bible study in the national language soon. Since September I saw rapid progress in my language learning – a real miracle if one thinks that not even a year ago I was not able to say one useful sentence except for “The goat eats raisins.”!

‘I also have become used to life here. I really feel I am in the right place for this season of my life - as a friend recently wrote me, “God has unrolled a red carpet for you!” I am very thankful to God and to my friends as well, because it is through their support that my work here is possible.

‘Since September, nine students, all young women, have committed themselves to student ministry. We hope that some male students will join us as well.

‘“Our girls” all live with their families. In this country it is unthinkable that a female student lives on her own, for cultural as well as financial reasons. They all experience many difficulties. Many parents are non-Christians and do not understand the commitment of their daughters. Quite often these young women experience corruption when the teachers ask for money in exchange for giving them a mark.

‘In spite of everything, these young women are motivated to follow Jesus and to be a light for their family members and classmates. Some of them are quite young in their faith, so this semester our emphasis was on basic topics like quiet time, prayer, temptations and telling others about Jesus. Another staff worker has been meeting weekly one-to-one with two of the young women, and I with another for bible study and prayer. Please pray for wisdom for both of us and especially for me that I would understand the language well enough!

‘In every IFES movement we promote student initiative. In some ways, the goal of staff is to stay in the background! At the moment our role consists mostly of training, prayer and encouragement. Through a bible-and-life weekend the students were really spurred on. Another staff worker and I and one older student led the small-group bible studies on the first day. Then on the second day, one of the younger students led in each group. When they realized that it was not as difficult as they thought, they showed more initiative. At the end of November they organised a film viewing with discussion, and in December one student led a manuscript bible study for the first time in her life and did a really good job!’

Give thanks that the IFES movement in this country was officially registered, thus making it easier to approach universities. Pray for them as they are still in need of office space for their meetings. Pray too for these young women, that they might continue to grow into strong leaders who lead many to Christ and make an impact on their society.

Joël and Cécile Cornuz, staff of GBUC, the French movement in Canada, think that financial management is an important aspect in the life of a disciple of Christ. They want students to know how to handle the money that God entrusts to them. That's why they invited Hervé Ketchaba, GBUC staffworker and accountancy student at a business school in Montréal, to talk about money matters.

Adae Beaulieu was present at the event, and shared with us how beneficial the discussions were for her. ‘I'm used to hearing verses that show what God thinks about money, but I had never openly shared my financial situation with other Christians. After presenting us with a model budget and explaining why it was beneficial, Hervé asked us to share our personal experiences.

‘He also asked us difficult questions: is it really cheaper to buy a car via credit, do I need a cell phone, how should I use (or not use) a credit card? Personally, I don’t have a credit card and I doubted its necessity. However, as we looked at different points of view, I realised that if I chose to get one and use it well, the bank could see that I am diligent in my payments and may agree to lend me money in the coming years.

‘At the end of his talk, Hervé told a story that profoundly affected me. He described the journey of a family with serious financial problems. With the help of a budget plan, they gradually got rid of their debts. However, this did not last long as this family did not persevere in this direction.

‘When I heard this, I realised that I did not want to have problems in the future and that's why I decided to design my own budget. When I took this step, I realised what an essential tool a budget is. Thanks to Hervé, I now know the amount I can spend each month for my outings and I have even started saving. Now I no longer have to wonder if I’ll have enough money, and I can study with peace of mind. I am proud of this decision.

‘I think the words Hervé shared certainly got each person present thinking. I am curious to see how this seed will bear fruit in our lives and I hope we will have the opportunity to discuss the steps we’ve taken very soon. This would allow us to encourage each other to make efforts to continue to manage our money.

‘Luke 16:10 says, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." I am convinced that if we manage well the little money we have as students, God will entrust us with greater things in the future.’

Matthew 5:16 encourages us to ‘let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven’. Likewise the book of Daniel (12:3) encourages us to leave a legacy, telling us that ‘those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars for ever and ever.’

Carol Denise Harllee is one of those stars. After completing her undergraduate degree, Carol worked in missions at home and abroad for 14 years in the USA, Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, and Spain.

John Criswell, Regional Director for the Southeast in InterVarsity/USA, recently wrote to us to share the sad news of Carol’s death. ‘I knew Carol when she served with GBU Spain under InterVarsity Link. She was highly respected and appreciated for her years of service to both an IFES team and GBU Spain.  I remember when she left staff to pursue her ministry as a faculty person at a university, she said, “I’m still in student ministry – just on the other side of the equation!”  She was such a delight to work with.  I know that students in many places will see fruit from her love and service to them.’

Edith Vilamajó, Associate Regional Secretary for Europe, writes, ‘Carol was on staff when I was a student. We then became colleagues when I joined the staff team. She was on staff in Madrid, mainly with international students. But I have very special memories of her and she made a real impact in my life because of her godly character. She then became a financial supporter too.’

Francisco Mira Moya, General Secretary of GBU Spain, added his reflections: ‘I remember her as quiet, calm, responsible, prudent, transmitting peace and kindness; someone devoted to student ministry, who enjoyed the ministry.’

Carol was taken to be with her Lord when she was only 52. A life cut short? From our earthly perspective it may seem that way – how much more could she have done for the Lord in another ten or twenty years? But we live in a fallen world. Death happens, sorrow touches us deeply.

So we grieve with Carol’s family, her friends and all those whose lives were touched by her. And we give thanks for her family too, as they seek to continue Carol’s legacy through memorial contributions to InterVarsity/USA and also to IFES.

Carol has left a living legacy. What will yours be?

Operation Ahon has now provided food, clothing and medicines to more than 80 families in the affected areas of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Relief operations are ongoing, with supplies arriving from graduates in Singapore and the USA, and a medical missions team preparing to do follow-up medical work from 26-29 January.

In addition, several initiatives are under way that will have long-term benefit. On 20-22 January the first IVCF Disaster and Response Rescue team received their initial training. And from 27-28 January, a counselling team of staff and graduates will conduct a workshop, Surviving Psychological Trauma, among 60 pastors and other IVCF members.

IVCF has also been very active in other ways throughout last year. We recently heard from Ferdinand Juni, General Secretary of the movement, after he spent three months travelling throughout the country visiting students.

‘It was a great privilege to see the Lord’s work first hand in various places. IVCF is very much alive and well in the Philippines. God gifted us with stalwarts and champions from among our graduates who steadfastly nurtured the movement in their respective regions for many years.

‘I especially like the various ways we are reaching the communities apart from our usual campus ministry. To name just a few:

• ‘Ministry to orphans in Good Shepherd’s Fold Christian Academy in Guimaras Island, Iloilo;
• 'The IVCF Regional Centre in Legaspi City that is also a retreat centre and a top notch review centre for aspiring engineers;
• ‘IVCF radio broadcast in the University of Southern Mindanao that ministers to the early risers in the community including many faculty members.

Meanwhile, the various regions conducted their semester break discipleship and leadership camps last October. A total of 172 student leaders served 322 student trainees in nine regions across the country.

‘Let us continue to uphold one another with prayers and supplications. Many of the things we are doing now are unprecedented and ground-breaking. We need much wisdom and strength. Let us thank our gracious Heavenly Father who is enabling us to fulfil our dream as a movement - that with a longer stride and a wider embrace, we can bring the comfort, freedom, love, joy and peace of the kingdom of God, not just in the student world but also in our larger communities.’

We talked to the staff worker there about this eye-catching hand-out. The hope was to get people thinking – and the expectation that most would think that God didn’t belong. But, he told us, it is in fact sin that doesn’t fit with the other words: wine and sex are both talked about in the bible as God’s good gifts (Psalm 104:15; Genesis 2: 24-25).

The thought-provoking message did in fact get the interest of four non-Christians, all of whom came to a four-week bible study and some of whom are continuing to come to other events, including discussions on the book of Romans.

The staff worker there wrote to us: ‘In the Romans studies the students are reading the bible together. They are learning about what Jesus has done for them and how they can put their faith in him. Each week they are trying to understand the bible better and they ask many questions about the passage to understand it more. They are deepening their understanding of God and what he has done for them in Christ.

‘One student is really starting to grab hold of the gospel. She used to say that we are saved by progressively getting better and better throughout our whole life, that it is a process. Recently, I asked her, “What would you say to God at the gates of heaven for him to let you in.” She replied, “I would say I am not good enough to get into heaven, but your son Jesus died for my sins.”

‘Pray for IFES Malta to have many more students like this who want to get to know God more through the bible and understand what Jesus has done for them.’

Praise God for the staff worker who is working to establish the IFES movement in Malta. Pray for four Christians who have stopped coming to meetings, that God will work in their hearts to see the importance of whole-hearted service in his name, and will give them the desire to befriend the seven non-Christians who have expressed an interest in studying the bible. But praise God for these seven seekers, and ask that he will draw them to himself.

iCafé offers students from around the world an opportunity to feel at home and to learn about life in Switzerland. For non-Christians, it’s an opportunity to check out the Christian faith; for Christians, it’s a chance to find fellowship and help with choosing a local church. For everyone, iCafé provides a “home away from home”, a place to meet people, to find help, to share concerns. It’s a local family.

The VBG team in Zurich has spent a lot of time spreading the word about iCafé – there is a website to publicise activities, a blog where discussions are posted, and also a facebook page for keeping in touch and sharing photos and various events.

All this social networking has helped iCafé thrive! Hans Hardmeier, a member of the student team, writes, ‘Although iCafé has existed for only a couple of years, this past year was the first time that students are part of the team. Maybe that’s also the reason for the growth in numbers attending. In 2010, the average attendance was around five people per evening. Now for the international evenings an average of 40 people come!’

What happens at a typical iCafé meeting? According to Hans, there is no typical meeting! Sometimes there is an international night, where the focus is the games, foods, dance and so on of one particular country. Other nights are bible studies, where key issues such as the importance of the death of Jesus are discussed. Occasionally there is a sports or music night, and sometimes a speaker will come to talk about a topic such as why God allows suffering in the world.

 Hans continues, ‘There are a lot of exchange students that come because they have questions about the Christian faith. And we talk and talk. Once I talked to a Muslim about the trinity and Jesus. We spoke for about three hours.

‘Although we have fun, iCafé is a small group that depends on a few key-persons, and sometimes it’s hard to keep working when we don’t see any results. Remi Tobler (a staff worker and leader of iCafé) worked a lot in the last three years, but she had to wait until last semester to see any results.

‘So please pray for us: for strength for the leaders, motivation and assurance that what we are doing is God’s will, new ideas and a vision for the future, and of course thirsty people seeking God who join us on Thursday evenings.’

Thanks for joining in prayer for iCafé!

With 26 secondary schools and only one tertiary institution in St Lucia – a very different context than many IFES movements – Yana is very busy. One of the first events that she helped organise was the movement’s involvement in World Student Day last October. Helped by a team of graduates, more than 80 students, friends and sponsors gathered outdoors and enjoyed a full day of activities including small group discussions and prayer, student-to-student encouragement, sports and picnicking.

Soon afterwards, ISCCF held a national training event for student leaders – the first for many years. Students from around the island gathered to discuss areas such as team work, planning, leadership and integrity, commitment, and bible study methods. Derville Bertin, a student who participated in the event, said, ‘I am happy I came. I have never enjoyed myself and learned so much in my entire life. When I get back to school I will do more for my group.’

Yana is also busy visiting schools. ‘I joined most of the ISCCF meetings, praying, sharing the gospel and encouraging students to come into relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and also to become disciples of Jesus. In some instances, I met with sponsors to deepen relationships and share the vision of the ministry.

‘My visit to Vieux-Fort Technical School was a special one because the meeting begins at 7:30am, before the start of the school day! Students and teachers gather for a time of praise, worship and prayer, which is transforming the atmosphere of the school.’

Yana has also participated with college students on a radio programme, sharing the gospel and encouraging students to join ISCCF at their various schools.

How can we pray for ISCCF in St Lucia? Yana shared these requests:

• It would be good to have an office for the movement. The culture of ISCCF in St Lucia is one where students gather at the office for after-school prayer, bible study, discussions and fellowship. Not having an office for the past year has limited ISCCF’s ability to reach the students after school. But operational costs for a new office are still needed.
• That student leaders in secondary schools and the college would take their roles even more seriously.
• A functioning graduates group needs to be re-established.

Let’s pray too for Yana, who says, ‘I believe I have been called to serve God by leading youth, and it is not a calling I take lightly. The banner of God has to be raised in my country, the Caribbean and the world at large, and it starts with me.’

Yes, Yana – it starts with each of us! What is God calling you to do?

What’s it like to be an evangelical Christian student in such a situation? Sara Hedgecock, originally from the United States, was sent by IFES Interaction to work with OSCER Romania alongside national staff workers. We asked her about the situation there.

‘Most people are nominally Orthodox, and to become something other than Orthodox, because it's so deeply part of the culture, is like saying you aren't Romanian anymore.

‘Most students I meet who are evangelical Christians grew up in Christian families. What has surprised me most is that this has a good and bad side. It's good in the sense that generally these Christians are really fervent: I remember being so surprised when I first came to Romania at just how much they loved God. The other side of this, though, is that you see a lot of Christians who are very mono-cultural. What I mean is they've only ever been exposed to this evangelical Romanian culture. Anything not Christian is shunned, and they often have difficulty knowing how to engage their non-Christian friends.

‘I would say the biggest challenge for students is to really stick to their beliefs and be salt and light while surrounded by others who do whatever they want. Non-Christian students often are really apathetic toward Christianity – they grew up learning all about the traditions of Orthodox Christianity but many have not ever heard the gospel, and also they see lots of things that turn them off to religion in general.

‘I think OSCER students do a good job of knowing how to relate to non-Christian students: they befriend them and treat them like people and not projects. But of course it's easier to stay isolated in a Christian “bubble”, and it's also challenging with all the temptations their culture brings them.

‘Ana immediately comes to mind as someone who really lives what we're about as a movement, as followers of Christ. She goes to where the non-Christians are, she befriends them, she shares Christ with them. She also does a lot with discipleship and leads and teaches well.

‘Not long ago we had a student leadership training event that focused on discipleship and evangelism. Forty of Romania’s student leaders met together in the mountains for ten days. All participants met in small discipleship groups and I got to be with Ana and also Neli, a Moldovan student who’s been living in Romania for eight years. It was a wonderful time to learn from one another, as well as to teach and encourage.

‘I’m excited by Neli’s story, how the Lord brought her to this country and drew her toward himself. She’s got a heart full to bursting for people and she told us about a girl she’s already hoping to meet with. All I can think of is Esther in the bible, and that God brought Neli here for such a time as this. I suppose that’s true for all the students. And I can’t wait to see the fruit of this training, to hear about the lives of students all across this country transformed, formed into something new. Please pray for this with us!’

Here’s what Elie has to say:

‘When I started attending the LIVF bible study I had a lot of questions. One big question rolling around in my head was: "What am I doing here and why should I attend these meetings? I know Jesus and I'm doing bible studies in my church.”

‘But then, I noticed that what I did was not enough ... I started to get a whole “package” with LIVF. And when they gave me a chance to lead my first bible study, I felt that I owned the whole world!

‘In bible studies we fill our soul with glories. I felt that my unconscious started to be happy.

‘The bible is God's word. Why is it, then, that studying the bible can sometimes be difficult, frustrating, and if done wrong, boring? In our bible studies with LIVF, we tackle the difficult passages and take the frustration out of bible study with how-to guides, and various methods to interact with different types of text. We are inspired not just to read God's word more, but to study it. With advice and encouragement from pastors, teachers and scholars, we are equipped both to study the bible and to answer the questions of our friends.

‘That's not to say that the bible alone isn't enough - it is! With God's Holy Spirit you can, through prayer and study, understand all that God would have you know about him just by reading his holy word alone.

‘But bible study guides are a type of reference tool that offer the insights and research of other men and women who also are filled with the Holy Spirit of God to help you learn and understand.

‘The bible is an access point to God. Everyone should study it and be transformed by it. For that reason, LIVF have made it easier for us to study the bible with others. We use our on-going study, "Facing today’s problems," as a way for us and others to go in-depth together into the scriptures.

‘I pray you would find a bible study group that helps you deepen your understanding of God's word. It's certainly useful to have a single book with so much information! I pray that you will find a study that's just right for you. I found it at LIVF.

‘Get to know God better. Get into his word.’

Thank you for your prayers.

PS: You can find LIVF’s bible studies in English and Arabic on facebook. Or check out Word Up on facebook. You might also want to look at this article on the Urbana website where you’ll find ideas for digging deeper into the bible. And don’t forget to look at the Danish facebook bible reading group started by a member of KFS Denmark.

Since then, teams of KGK members have been visiting the area, bringing supplies and assisting in various ways. Some teams went to towns that were practically obliterated, delivering food and helping people clean and rebuild. Others organised activities for children, such as a special Christmas programme in a school last December.

Yukina Fujikawa, a graduate student, wrote to us: ‘I was told that the Taro area (one of the areas hit by the tsunami), is an “un-evangelized area”. But an old lady who saw people in line to receive soup said, “It looks like Noah’s ark.” She said that she had heard bible stories from a missionary who came to the area right after World War II. When I heard this, I thought of 1 Corinthians 3:6 – “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” Each of us has a task to do and there’s something that everyone can do. I thank God that even I was able to play a part by passing out rice. I want to keep praying with a confidence in God that this work we are doing will bear fruit.’

A pastor of a church in the affected region, Yukimasa Otomo, wrote in thanks to the KGK team: ‘I have many memories of the teams. At a time when the electricity and water systems were unstable, the team members had to work to clean up the mud. They were only able to get one shower every three days. In the evening, members had to sleep on the hard floor in the chapel, without any heating. For the whole month after the earthquake, I asked the team members to go around houses and help to clean up the mud, furniture and household goods. After that, the team helped us to distribute goods, preparing and providing meals outdoors and playing with the children.

What I enjoyed personally was the prayer meeting held every Thursday evening. Listening to many stories from the students all over the nation, we praised God together, opened the scripture together and prayed together. It was very encouraging moment. As I was continuing the relief effort, I once experienced a very tough time mentally, but as each KGK team came to be together with us, I was able to overcome such a hard time.’

Kondo-sensei, a pastor and KGK board member from the afflicted Tohoku region, summarises the ministry that these teams have had: ‘The student and graduate teams had a strong impact on people in those areas. People are surprised to see those teams returning even after nine months and they are glad to know their interests and prayers are still in the hearts of others. In many cases it is the first time for them to see Christians in their life and some of them have started to become interested in Christianity through spending time with those volunteers.

‘We need more and more Christians to stand and touch people's hearts in this area for short term and also for long term. Please pray for those teams going in the future.’

And what of the KGK students in this area? Tomoko Narumi, a staff worker in the Tohoku region, tells how the tsunami affected the student group: ‘I feel that the number of the first-year students who come to join activities of the Tohoku region is less than usual. One reason that I think is the cancellation of the spring camp in March 2011 which was scheduled for the week after the earthquake. Since Japan’s academic year starts in April, we lost the chance to reach the first-year students. And not being able to do normal things may have affected to work together as a group.’

Please continue to pray for KGK Japan – for God to restore and strengthen the student groups in the Tohoku region, and give them grace to be witnesses to his goodness to those still in distress around them. Give thanks for the KGK teams who are working with Christians in this area to alleviate suffering, and pray that many might experience the love of God and be drawn to Jesus through the kindness of God’s people.

Bhekisisa Dlamini became student president of SWAFES just after their only staff worker had resigned. He writes, ‘The most difficult thing we were facing is that the new student executive took over when there was a lot of misunderstanding. The staff worker was resigning, so we had no one to work with. Fortunately, the Board Chair and some board members came to our rescue.

‘Then the second challenge we had was that most of the students we were expected to lead understood very little about the national movement and the membership was very low at that time. This became a very big mountain before us.

‘But God was very kind to us and we were able to visit almost all the institutions in the country, where we shared with the students the vision of SWAFES. Most of them understood what we were all about and this was shown by the support they gave to us: they started to give money to support the national movement by contributing 10% of their annual income.’

Funds were also contributed for students to attend a conference for graduates in Botswana. Wandile Sacolo told us about her time there: ‘I was revived by the Living Stones vision, encouraged that wherever I am, I represent Christ in everything that I do and people around me must see Christ in me.

‘I also learned how to mentor those who are about to become graduates because that transition is not easy. Indeed it was a great weekend for us as SWAFES and it gave us a challenge because we didn’t have an associate [graduate] ministry. We were really encouraged to take responsibility to start something for ourselves.Top of Form

‘…Recently we had our own graduate conference and it was a great success. And we were able to give birth to a graduate ministry in the movement!  We established a mobilising team and we pray to God that he may give us power to do his work. Can you pray with us that we may implement the vision of work among graduates, and that it may grow to support the movement’s vision and the vision of IFES at large?’

Bongani Langa concludes: ‘Swaziland is turning into a success story because of students who are dedicated to the Lord and to doing everything to the very best of their ability. We have enjoyed growth in numbers and in the amount of finances students have been able to mobilise. The effect of the crumbling of the world financial markets is only now being felt in Swaziland, and it is very difficult because students who used to be sponsored by the government now have to pay tuition, accommodation and related needs. But they still gave of their little money and time for the work of the LORD and made us all proud.’

Please pray for God to sustain these student leaders, and to provide a staff worker to encourage and assist them in continuing to grow the movement.

Whatever happens this year, it’s good to remember that we’re part of God’s great plan to redeem all of creation and to draw to himself a people from every tongue, tribe and nation.

IFES recognises that our God is a missionary God, and we eagerly join with him as we engage the university with the good news of Jesus. We long to see many more students this year become life-long disciples of Christ who are filled with missionary zeal as they serve the church and influence society.

We’ve recently heard about a group of students in UGBR Rwanda who have caught the vision for mission as they visited an isolated people group living in the mountains of South Sudan. Alice, recently appointed General Secretary of UGBR, told us how students have moved from being aware of mission to being missionaries.

‘Previously, we had conferences but no real opportunities to go to people who have not heard the good news… What touched me were the reactions of students who told us what God did and realised that the unreached peoples are a reality, that there are people who have never heard of Jesus.’

Mugabezaki Betty, a student with UGBR, shared her response to the trip: ‘This was my first time to see people who don’t know Jesus Christ at all. They asked us whether Jesus Christ was a brother of their chief.

‘We were amazed to see people who are still worshiping idols, and also witch doctors. But many of these people got saved and most of people understood who the true God is and that Jesus Christ is his son.’

Ruhinda Bosco, another student who visited the Issore region, learned key lessons about ‘the importance of putting faith into action‘ as well as ‘how God calls people to move out of comfort zone.’

Alice told us how this mission has also impacted the relationship between UGBR and the local church: ‘After their return, the students went into the churches and shared with the pastors. Some churches were not sure initially if they should support them, but seeing pictures, listening to stories they all want to support these missions!’

The trip has also been very effective in mobilising students. Alice continues, ‘Just after the team has returned, they had a prayer vigil. After the vigil, a student asked me, "When are you going back? Please put my name on the list!" It made me laugh but I gave thanks to God.

‘This mission will also change the way we do mission conferences in the future. Before we had not yet gone anywhere. Now we took a practical step, so it will influence the conferences we hold in the future.’

Give thanks with us that students in Rwanda have developed such a passion for mission. Join us in praise for all that they are learning in their trips to South Sudan, and pray for wisdom as they also seek to be missionaries at their universities. Pray that God will continue to stir up students throughout the country to put their faith into action.

And as we move through 2012, may God give us a vision for mission and a willingness to move outside our comfort zone as we live out our faith – to our neighbours, to our fellow students or work colleagues, to our family and friends.

May God empower you in his service this new year!

For Christians, now is the time to celebrate the birth of a child king, the lord of the universe. For students in IFES, it's a time to acknowledge once again that this king is also the lord of the university! IFES students are often very active, taking advantage of the holidays to plan special activities.

Here is a taste of how students around the world are celebrating the birth of their saviour king:

• Students of GBEEC Cameroon reflect on God's grace to them over the year at an event called Maranatha, and remember their need to be ready for the return of Christ.
• UESI India is holding Christmas evenings this month which include songs, skits, choreography, a gospel message… and of course tasty snacks.
• On 22 December, IFES Netherlands groups in one city are organizing Christmas dinners for the homeless and prostitutes, as well as activities for the elderly and disabled. Others will collect food to distribute to the poor. Elsewhere, students will hand out biscuits covered in tiny candy mice that are usually given at the birth of a child, creating awareness that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Students of GBU Martinique have distributed packets containing new testaments, a tract, and some candy to fellow students. They are praying that God's word will have a real impact on the lives of those who receive this gift.
• In Turkey, Christian students have just taken a group of 19 students on a city weekend away, to experience Christmas traditions and hear about the true meaning of Christmas.
• In Jerusalem, FCSI Israel students are hosting events celebrating both Hanukah and Christmas. A special Christmas event is planned for 30 December to which Arabic-speaking students can invite their friends.
• OSCER Romania has just held an evangelistic evening and will also be singing carols to friends and teachers this week. They hope these events will encourage Christians to be involved in small groups, and non-Christians to be open for future discussions.
• Compa Mexico held a Christmas dinner at the end of the semester and 80 students, parents, pastors, professionals and supporters celebrated God's work during the semester. A student spoke, reminding everyone of the cost of following Jesus, and funds were raised for two students to attend an up-coming leadership training event in Honduras.
• Students of GBU France surveyed students outside cafeterias about their beliefs and gave them copies of Luke's gospel, and leaflets about Christmas. Other groups sang Christmas carols at a hospital.
• IFES Ireland has just held a weekend away for 29 international students. For many of these students, it was the first time to open a Bible and hear the Christmas story!

As I write this I'm overwhelmed by the creativity and amazing zeal these Christian students have for reaching others with the good news of Jesus' birth. Please join with me in praying for the events still to come, and also for follow-up in the new year with those who have not yet bowed their knee to king Jesus.

Please remember too, those who are lonely or suffering in any way this Christmas season, and pray that God will speak to them and draw them to himself. Especially remember the victims of the recent flood in the Philippines, where over 1,000 people have been killed, hundreds more are still missing, and hundreds of thousands are homeless. Supporters and graduates of IVCF Philippines are affected, and one graduate and her family are missing. IVCF has organised a relief operation to raise funds and provide resources for those who have been displaced by the floods.

Thank you for your faithful prayers throughout this year. May you have a wonderful Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our king.

We talked to Carina Rojas, General Secretary of the Bolivian movement. ‘This year we’ll study Moses’ example of leadership. Unlike other years, this INCA is especially aimed at students who are beginning to get involved in the movement. I intend to share the leadership style that we long to see developed in students.

‘This leadership style is a counter-leadership model that is guided not just by results, success or efficiency, which are so important in academic circles. Rather, it’s leadership based on a relationship of dependence on God, on the transparency of their behaviour to their Christian brothers and sisters and in a constant fight against our personal temptations.’

We also spoke with Vilma Almonds Ortuño, who has been involved with CCU as staff for 11 years since her student days and is in charge of organising INCA. ‘Mark Paco, a third-year psychology student, is a good example of the kind of student leader that we want to develop. What makes him special is that he is firm and secure in his faith, working hard to maintain integrity in his daily life. We hope that through INCA many students will be transformed by the word of God and committed to advance the good news of Jesus in their universities.’

Lucy Mamani Laura, a graduate student in Architecture, grew up in a Roman Catholic family but came to faith through CCU. Trained through INCA and other CCU events, she is now part of the leadership team in her church and is helping organise INCA. We asked her how she thought her fellow students would benefit from the event. ‘There are several workshops and each one provides tools they can use in their daily lives and in their CCU small groups. But there will also be time for participants to interact with each other which is crucial because each faces challenges as a student and as a missionary at the university. We want students to be both challenged and moved to make changes in their city, but especially in their personal lives.’

How can we pray for this event?  Vilma asked prayer for herself and others who are in the final days of organisation, that they would have wisdom in decision-making and work together in good fellowship. She also mentions the need for God to provide students with the financial resources they need to attend – as well as their parent’s permission!

Lucy asks us to pray for God to confirm and support her in the important decision to become a staff worker, and that the event will reflect what God wants to say to each person as well as encouraging growth in each student’s commitment to the movement.

Finally, Carina says ‘We need to hear God's voice clearly and accept his invitation to practice our leadership with integrity, both before God and our community, even if this comes at a high price. This is a challenge for us because in our context it is possible to have large differences between our private and public lives.’

May we all, by God’s grace, live lives of integrity before a watching world. 

Two stories from Gambia. In one, God uses humble Christian students who are willing to serve, to open the hearts of non-Christians to the gospel. In the other, God provides for the needs these students in a miraculous way.

Noble Roberts, General Secretary of FES Gambia, wrote about these two incidents.

‘The community of Bakalarr is an agrarian community and we went for a follow-up visit after last year’s rural outreach. This area is predominantly Muslim with a few Christians scattered within the community. We came with a new approach in this second phase of our outreach in the community, by joining them on their farms and undertaking some community services.

‘The three communities could not hide their feelings towards what we have done in action. As we cleaned one of the mosques, a man saw one of the students and asked him “Are you now a Muslim?” because he never thought Christians could come and clean a mosque.’

The man then went on to express his surprise by saying ‘We have now seen you are our friends because you guys are doing exactly what Jesus Christ has commanded you to do.’

Noble continues the story: ‘The man was restless and was just going to and fro as we were working. When the village head’s son came, he ran to him and said “Can’t we buy something for these people?” The village head’s son answered “No, because these people have surprised us and we can’t give them anything. Only their God will reward them, since they are doing it unto him and not to man.”

‘Because of these actions the community is open to us and the villagers listen to our message.

‘Then the team completely ran out of money because of the limited funds available for the outreach. The team leader had gone into town to look for funds and was supposed to return on Friday. But there was no money and he was not able to return. So there were serious concerns about how the students were going to have their meals on that Sunday.

‘On Sunday morning, there was no hope for food. But while they were on their way back from church, they heard flapping sounds from a nearby stream. They turned towards the stream and to their surprise, there were loads of fish at the bank of the stream. They rushed down and began to catch fish with their bare hands. That was how God provided enough fish for two days until the team leader returned that Sunday.

‘God really does care for all our needs! Amen.’

Noble concluded his newsletter: ‘We have experienced a year that we consider fruitful just for the fact that we are seeing an increase in the commitment of the students and especially the leaders. A particular student I would like to mention is Cecilia Mendy. She has grown from the point where she could not openly pray, to actually leading bible studies and actively sharing her life as a Christian. Indeed, one student at a time God is shaping lives.’

Students built into communities of disciples, transformed by the gospel and impacting the university, the church and society for the glory of Christ. This is the vision of IFES. It is happening in Gambia, it is happening throughout the world.

We recently interviewed our main contact in Myanmar, T, who told us about the beginnings of the new student ministry there.

‘At a recent pioneering meeting, I asked local students two questions. The first was “What were your priorities as you prepared to come to university?” Most students anticipated a life of fun and enjoyment, free from the control of their parents. The second question was “Have you ever heard of anybody who has come to the Lord during their university years?” There was a silence. No answer. I told them, “The university is where we need to be!” It was very moving, and students were crying. I really want them to understand that they are living stones, that they need to grow in that area, and share that vision with other students.

‘This first meeting gathered 17 students. I was particularly encouraged by four of them who are very keen to get involved in the ministry. We can begin in a small way. They understand the needs of the nation. It was a good beginning.’

‘From this first meeting, the students have come up with an exciting outreach program. They want to make the most of the Christmas season and use it to share the good news with their friends. They are currently organising a Christmas outreach event, with the hope that they can invite 20-30 friends. Please pray for this event, and especially for the students as they raise funds for it.’

Pray also for E, an engineering student who is actively involved in the group. She has a desire to see the group grow in reaching out to others with the love of Christ, and hopes they will start organising evangelistic camps to which she and others can bring their friends.

Pray too for S, a student in his early twenties who will be overseeing this group. He has little experience or external support for this task, so please pray for God to guide and strengthen him, and give him visionary insight as he leads the group.

T continues: ‘It’s great that I can advise them for now, but ideally I’d like to see students leading and taking ownership of the work. In March next year we hope to invite 30-40 student leaders to a gathering which will include training sessions, communicating the IFES vision and learning practical skills such as how to lead bible studies.

‘Thank you so much for your love for my nation Myanmar. Now a small seed has been sown. Let us all water it together.’

Christians are those who "see what others cannot" and offer help to a society that needs answers.

How can we break the fear that paralyses, and use all that God has given us to benefit others?

These are just some of the issues discussed by some 150 graduates in Spain as they met at the end of October, thinking about the effects of a Christian worldview in both their workplace, and society in general.

The conference – whose theme was the social responsibility of the Christian professional – was sponsored by GBG, the graduate arm of GBU Spain. Entrepreneurs, artists, educators, doctors, lawyers and many others came together to grow in a vision of faith that has practical effects on all areas of society.

Jorge Atiencia (former IFES staff in Latin America) travelled to Spain to give the daily bible exposition. Through three parables of Jesus – the mustard seed, the good Samaritan, and the talents – he stressed the need to offer the world ‘a talent that cannot be hidden,’ highlighting three gifts that Christians can give: the justice that leads to peace, grace, and the word of God.

The program included experts in areas as diverse as social action, art, history, banking, and journalism. Each of the speakers addressed social issues they know well, giving participants new ideas, and practical applications of what it means to be "salt and light" in society.

Joel Forster interviewed Luis Marián, a pastor from Madrid who had given a seminar on what we as Christians can learn from looking at the way Jesus connected with the culture around him:

‘The younger generations are much clearer that you can express Christian faith, your Christian identity, through all kinds of art and culture. They are breaking the taboos of previous generations who mainly related the gospel through forms inherited from another culture or time in history.’

Give thanks for multidisciplinary events, like these, that help students and graduates consider their social responsibility to ‘proclaim peace’ (Isaiah 52:7) in the professions to which God has called them, showing the far reaching effects of faith in all areas of life, culture and society.

Please pray particularly for the participants of this conference as they live out their faith in day-to-day life, that they might offer spiritual insight to the needs they see around them.

Anja writes: ‘God is wonderful and sometimes we lose that sense of wonder. But as I stopped lately to think of all that has happened since the start of the new academic year in September, I am amazed. The stories I'm sharing are a testimony to God's work in various people's lives. They tell of how compassionate, good and faithful he is.

‘N, a GBU student, prayed one evening after the bible study on Luke, that God would open a door for her to proclaim the good news. The following day, she expected something to happen. And yet, nothing happened in her classes during the day. She went to play tennis in the evening and there C, a student she didn't know but had played with before, came up to her and asked to meet after tennis classes for coffee. N was so surprised because people there usually don’t try to build relationships with one another. She knew that this was the door the Lord had opened. Since then, she's met a few times with C and hopes she will come to know Christ. I too met C and we are praying she comes to the GBU Christmas evening.

‘T is a student who comes from a religious background. Recently after going through a major crisis in her family life she realised who Jesus was and what he had done for her. She is thirsty to know God better. We read the Bible (so far Luke and Proverbs) and meet to pray. It is beautiful to see her grow in understanding of God's word. The other day she said: "Wow, I thought it would be hard to read every day but I am just loving it! God's word is just so wonderful and I see how God is a speaking God."

‘B wants to be the president of his country when he's back home. He is Muslim and yet he came not so long ago to ask us to pray for him. His laptop was not working, but he desperately needed it since he cannot write properly – he is injured from an attack in his country for his political involvement. On top of all this, he faces some serious financial challenges because his parents’ business is going through some difficulties. B is a clever student full of enthusiasm and optimism. It is so inspiring to see him. Join us in praying for him to know Jesus.

‘There are other stories I could tell you. We don't know what will happen with all these people we meet but we do know two things: 1) God listens to our prayers and answers in specific ways. 2) God's heart is broken for the lost.  May we listen to others too, and may our hearts be broken for the lost around us.’

‘The resounding question right now for a lot of staff is about our call to witness as multi-ethnic and ethnic-specific fellowships in our Canadian movement. What does it mean to actually form multi-ethnic groups that are no longer predominantly white? What is the unique role of ethnic-specific fellowships on campus? How does this affect how we train staff? How we train students? Who is in leadership? What does leadership look like?’

One of the biggest questions is “why?” Is it enough to say that our IFES movements should be multi-ethnic and multi-cultural simply because the Bible tells us that the body of Christ is one, and that God is calling all nations to himself? ‘Why would we want multi-ethnic groups? It’s so hard, so inconvenient. It seems like the fear of difference, and a surface-level tolerance and “political correctness” are the sins of our nation that have prevented us from actually dealing with issues of race and culture in order to work towards real reconciliation of all things in God’s kingdom.’

As she struggles with these questions, Elsie has been reading The Hip-Hop Church: connecting with the movement shaping our culture. Hip-hop is a form of musical and artistic expression, a culture of protest and freedom of expression that arose during the 1970s in New York (USA) in the wake of oppression suffered by African-Americans.

Elsie talks about the book: ‘It is very much about bridge-building, which is one of the commitments staff have made in their lives and in their ministry on campus.’ 

Here is how the authors, Efrem Smith and Phil Jackson, frame bridge-building: ‘If the church wants to engage hip-hop culture, not just be provoked in spirit by its idolatrous negative side, it must build bridges with the culture so that theologians, church members and hip-hop philosophers might reason together.’

Later, the authors discuss Paul’s sermon in Athens, found in the book of Acts: ‘Paul quotes the poets of the Athens’ culture to proclaim truth. He is familiar enough with the poets of the day that he knows how to use the words of these poets, not the words of Jesus, to proclaim truth at a level the men of Athens can understand.’

Elsie continues: ‘Cultural bridge-building is about learning about the other, understanding where they are coming from, letting them speak into your life, and learning to speak truth in ways that they can understand.’

The IFES Living Stones vision speaks of communicating the good news of Jesus Christ creatively and clearly to campuses around the world, in word, in action and through relationships, within and across cultures. Please pray for Elsie – and students around the world – as they seek to reach out to others in creative ways that are culturally relevant and incisive.

As Christmas approaches and we think of God becoming man for us – the ultimate in cross-cultural bridge-building – let us give thanks and joyfully reach out to others for the sake of the gospel!