IFES news: international

eurasia: God's grace is sufficient

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:00:00 GMT

What ways are you seeing God at work in your life right now? Can you experience God's grace even when things do not turn out as you might have hoped they would?

Two weeks ago, a movement in Eurasia suddenly learnt that K, one of their most enthusiastic leaders, had decided to go back to his home town to complete his dissertation. This was a great loss, for it has left the small group of which he was a part without a leader.

This change challenged the staff leader to be willing to take a radical look at how they operated as a team. She writes:

'With a small group of believing students and a large circle of non-Christian students, we needed to ask what faithfulness to the Lord means in this new situation of losing an important leader. I needed to help my team to be willing to take a step of faith in re-assessing and reorganizing our ministry amongst students.

'I think for my team-mates it felt distinctly like chaos at first… but our God is the One who from the first page of Scripture and the beginning of time has been in the business of bringing order out of chaos.'

As a result of this change, they decided to maximise the opportunity by focusing on outreach events more.

Learning to do things new ways, and empowering students to take the lead in reaching out to others, has been one of the themes of the recent Living Stones Conference for IFES general secretaries in Malaysia. For the past week, 200 IFES staff have met together to share ways to implement the Living Stones vision, which focuses on releasing student initiative to grow disciples of Christ.

Pray for these staff as they return to their home countries, for the team in Eurasia, and for all IFES staff, that, as they implement changes in the way the ministry is conducted, they will have the wisdom of God, and a deep confidence that He will grow His kingdom.

Give thanks, that for them, and for each of us, God says: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' 2 Cor 12:9

international: God's olympics

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Over the past weeks, athletes from nations around the world have competed for coveted gold, silver and bronze medals at the Winter Olympics in western Canada. People have cheered on men and women from their home countries, even though many had little hope of winning the prize. However, all had trained and all had sacrificed to get to these competitions.

The Bible tells us that Christians must be like athletes too. 1 Corinthians 9 tells us to train hard, to run in such a way as to win the prize. But, unlike the Olympics, the prize that Christians win is not made of metal that will tarnish and eventually disintegrate – it is a crown that will last forever.

IFES movements all over the world seek to help students 'train hard' as Christians, to pursue with discipline paths that lead to eternal life and that draw others into fellowship with Christ. Staff play a crucial role in guiding students as they seek to run a good race.

Pray this week for all Christian students: that they will not falter in following Christ, but rather will be committed to the challenging work of resisting temptation, studying God's word, and seeking to apply Scriptural principles to their academic discipline. Pray for the Living Stones conference for national leaders of IFES movements that began on Tuesday 3 March, as staff meet and share ways to implement the IFES vision.

chile: violent earthquake

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:00:00 GMT

GBUCh Chilean students

A violent earthquake hit Chile on 27 February causing the death of 700 people. The epicentre of the earthquake was in the city of Concepción located on the coast of central Chile.

Carmen Castillo, the leader of GBUCh (the IFES movement in Chile) contacted us soon after the earthquake telling us what had happened:
'Chile has suffered an earthquake of 8.8 on the Richter scale which has affected the centre and the south of the country. At this time, we know where the most affected regions are and yet we haven't been able to communicate with the rest of the GBU family.
'We encourage all who can read this message to pray alongside us and if you can, to support those who are in need.
'We recognize the sovereignty of God in all this, and our trust and hope are in him.
'Please pray for us.'

The death toll so far is over 720, with 300 dying in one fishing village alone. Looting continues and police struggle to maintain law and order

Pray that in the midst of this trial, the Chilean people can live as a community and help each other. Pray especially for Christians in this situation, that their hope in God will remain strong, and that they will be an encouragement and support to those around them, showing the love of God in practical ways.

Pray that aid to arrive soon from other countries, and for it to reach isolated areas of the country quickly.

europe: facing interesting challenges

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Europe has a long history of sending missionaries to all nations, but is increasingly recognised as an important and needy mission field in its own right. Join us in praising God for the IFES InterAction teams who support IFES movements throughout Europe.

InterAction workers face interesting challenges. Some are sent to countries where they do not know the language. Ana, in Italy, has not let that stop her. She writes about her Italian classes, 'I can see how it is important to be in that place and not only to be learning a language to talk with the students, but also to be given the amazing opportunity by God to speak about the gospel.'

Sara in Paris reports that she and two others have faced the snow, hail, wind and rain to set up a bookstall outside the university. Their mission is to talk with students passing by who are either deeply engrossed in their iPods or rushing to a class. Facing the cold weather and cold shoulders isn't easy but it's worth doing, especially when they meet students like D, who now comes to nearly every Bible study that the GBU (the IFES movement in France) runs.

Other Interaction workers describe similar joys in the face of trials. Claudia in Berlin is sometimes disappointed that more people don't come to events, but then receives emails such as the following: 'I am so happy now, because I am sure that God does everything for the best. I am so glad that I have a new family here.' Somebody else wrote: 'At the moment I am reading the book that you gave me I'd like to discuss it with you when I come back to Berlin!'

Please pray for InterAction workers across Europe, that God will encourage them, sustain them in their ministry and give them times of refreshment.

Give thanks with us for the students whose lives are being touched by the gospel as they meet with InterAction workers and attend events. Pray for student leaders as together with staff they seek to demonstrate a love that is contagious and draws others to the God who is the source of all love.

niger: assured in him

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

students at a public evangelistic event

This week, please join us in praying for Niger, a landlocked country in western Africa, which is named after the Niger River. Although Niger is a secular country with freedom of religion and worship, the majority of the population is Muslim.

One of our friends there has asked us to uphold their nation in prayer: 'Today, we heard news reports that during a cabinet meeting, machine guns were heard firing at the President's palace. It is thought to be a coup. Please pray against political unrest and for peace to be restored.'

Pray for our brothers and sisters, the members of GBEEN, the IFES movement there. Pray that they would be assured of God's sovereignty in the midst of this situation and that 'nothing shall separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'

Praise God for the evangelistic zeal within the movement that is palpable and is bearing good fruit. Over the past few months, the students and staff have held several evangelistic events, including film nights exploring issues around young people and AIDS, and debates on different topics. Issa, the GBEEN staff worker writes: 'We see many students who are open to discussion, and they display a very positive attitude. Others are rather antagonistic.' Pray that many would turn to Christ and be assured in Him.

costa rica: flesh and blood Christians

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Are we Christians or are we not? This was the challenge presented at the start of 2010 to Christian students in Costa Rica. For five days, representatives from universities and colleges throughout the country met together to consider their responsibilities as Christians on campus.

Students heard Bible exposition based on the parables of Matthew and attended seminars on evangelism, discipleship, foundations of the Christian faith and creative missions. Workshops also offered practical help in starting and maintaining a Christian group as well as facilitating bible studies.

All participants were challenged to transform their universities by the power of God's word.

Please pray for students as they put into practice what they have learned. Pray that they will share their faith with courage and creativity and that they will pass on to other Christians a passion for sharing Jesus.

haiti: CARIFES responds

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

The people of Haiti are still suffering greatly as a result of the earthquakes that devastated the lives of so many, just over a month ago. Many students and leaders of GBEUH, the IFES movement in Haiti, are still sleeping outside. CARIFES, the IFES movement in the Caribbean, has responded by collecting funds to purchase much needed tents, sleeping bags, medicine and food.

The plan is for Marc Pulvar, Associate Regional Secretary for the Caribbean, Desmond Rogers, Regional Secretary, and hopefully one or two brothers from Martinique and Guadeloupe to travel to the Dominican Republic from 16-20 February. They will then undertake a difficult six-hour bus trip to Haiti.

We would like to call the Fellowship to pray for this trip. Please pray for the entire journey, especially for God's protection for the travellers and much-needed supplies. Pray for the CARIFES delegation as they see so much suffering, that God would enable them to be a comfort and strength to others. Pray that the students and staff of GBEUH might be greatly encouraged by this visit.

Please continue to pray for all those still suffering greatly, that aid will reach them. Pray for Christians to be generous with what they have, and that through the love of God's people a lasting hope will shine in the lives of those who have experienced so much devastation.

france: releasing student initiative

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Last weekend a training event was held in Paris for students involved in GBU, the IFES movement in France

There were four different tracks - leading a Bible study, leading a Bible study on the Old Testament, giving a talk and witnessing to Muslims.

Keith, who works with the students in Paris, writes about the event:

'The weekend of Bible training went really well - all participants were grateful and found it useful, and it went smoothly despite lots of people being squeezed into a small place.

'I especially worked with one young woman who led her first-ever Bible study, and is going to lead her second at her GBU group this week, and with a young man who led an impressive study in the Old Testament - he talks about becoming a pastor.'

Rejoice with us that Christian students are eager to take a leadership role in the GBU. Pray for Keith and other staff throughout France as they work one-to-one with students, training them to reach out on campus. Please pray too for more non-Christian students to become interested in studying the Bible.

international: living stones conference

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Today, join us in committing to God the 'living stones' conference (3-11 March) that will be held in Malaysia. The conference will gather all the leaders of IFES national movements around the world.

Why this conference? Femi Adeleye, the director of the event shares with us some of its aims:

'We want the participants to be inspired about seeing the 'living stones' vision become a reality in their context. We want to hear their stories, ideas and experiences.
'We want them to meet people, to learn from each other and to keep in touch in the months to come. We want to praise God as we celebrate our diversity and unity in this global family of IFES.'

Please pray for all the participants in the run-up to this event as they prepare to share how God has been at work amongst the students of their country. Pray that they would be inspired by hearing other people's stories. Pray that each person will return home with concrete ideas about how to implement the vision in their particular situation, and for students to become excited about the vision as well.

As the psalmist writes: 'But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.' (Psalm 73:28) Could you share with us how has God been at work in your university, in your city, in your country? You can do so by sending us an email . We would love to hear from you and celebrate God's deeds with you.

liberia: enthusiasm and passion to share the good news

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

This week, join us in praying for Liberia. Liberia enjoyed relative peace until 1989 when the Americo-Liberian ruling minority was overthrown. Since then, the country has suffered the continuing effects of civil war. In addition to the several hundred thousand people who died when events reached a climax in 2003, thousands more lost their homes or were displaced. The economy has not recovered and emotional wounds are deep.

Moses Cooper is a student leader in the Liberia Fellowship of Evangelical Students (LIFES). He is full of enthusiasm and passion to share the good news to his friends. He shares with us some of the challenges faced by Christian students as they seek to make an impact for God's glory in the university.

'Cheating is common. Books are scarce. Teachers who come from developed countries come with the most recent edition of the books they teach from. You as a student cannot afford to order those books. We're just coming out of a war and times are hard. If the student is not able to buy the book, in theory he fails the course. However, the same student could possibly pass if he pays his teacher.

'I am against such practises as a Christian. Many times when I read the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ, I am encouraged. Jesus said: Blessed are you when man persecutes you because of righteousness sake for theirs are the Kingdom of heaven.'

Praise God with us for Christian students in Liberia who are willing to make difficult and costly choices because they love Jesus. Please pray for Moses and other Christians like him, that they will stand firm in their faith and not give in to the temptations around them. Pray that their godly lifestyles will be a witness to others, and that God's name will be glorified as they live out their faith.

philippines: new horizons

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Sometimes it might seem as if student conferences are mainly about fun and fellowship, but they are also times that God uses to bring deep growth to both individuals and movements.

The recent national conference of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the IFES movement in the Philippines, was a time when God worked in an amazing way on many levels. Exploring the theme 'New Horizon: God with us', over 250 staff, students, graduates and their children met at the end of December 2009 for worship, exposition of Scripture, fellowship, plenary sessions and seminars.

Join us in giving thanks for the commitment of the IVCF family to student ministry in the Philippines and for their desire to see many more students transformed by the gospel and growing into life-long disciples of Christ. Commitment statements made during this event reveal the breadth of God's working. Participants pledged to:

'obey God in all areas of my life and to help my church and my IVCF chapter'
'pray for IVCF and be a volunteer'
'organize, mentor, support and sustain new grads in development work'
'truly live for Christ's glory by being involved in the nurses and the high school fellowships, as well as financially support the movement'
'become seriously involved in the missions team'
'continue providing sound doctrinal and practical input to IVCF'.

One of the specific outcomes of this conference was the formation of a national graduates (alumni) executive committee. Please pray with us as IVCF seeks to expand their work among those who have gone through the movement and are now in the workplace. These graduates are an important source of volunteers and mentors, as well as prayer and financial support.

Pray too for each person who made a commitment during the conference, that the Holy Spirit will empower them to follow through, and that, in the words of the National Director, 'we can rally more people to join us in the fulfilling of Christ's Great Commission in the new horizon'.

brazil: equipping student leaders

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Jesus, our Salvation is the theme of the 2010 Institute of Preparation of Leaders (Instituto de Preparação de Líderes or IPL), based on the gospel of Matthew.

IPL is a national meeting of training of ABU (the IFES movement in Brazil) that is currently taking place in Campinas, São Paulo area (10-29 January 2010).
All participants are required to have had experience in student mission, to have read and studied the gospel of Matthew, to lead two Bible studies, to read six books and to write an essay. The preparation is therefore rather intense and full, and so are the days at IPL!

Please pray for the 71 participants (mostly from all over Brazil, plus three from Norway and two from Paraguay) as they spend time worshipping God, praying, studying the word and thinking through topics like integral mission, gender issues, and environmental matters. They will also participate in cultural activities and for four days, the participants will take part in or lead activities serving within a church or another organization.

Ana Carla Brito, from the student group of ABU Florianópolis, shares why she joined IPL: 'IPL was a landmark in the lives of five student leaders of ABU Florianopolis last year. The influence of IPL impacted their lives, and this was evident in their vision and commitment to God and to evangelism. And I have wanted that too. I want God to lead me and to move my heart in a way that pleases him. I want to persevere through the difficulties of the day-to-day life.'

Article by Giovanna, ABU Brazil

nigeria: violent clashes

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

'This is an urgent call to prayer and action from us to the international Christian community,' Gideon Para-Mallam (IFES Regional Secretary for English and Portuguese-speaking Africa), writes from his home in Jos, capital of Plateau State, Nigeria.

In the city of Jos, the past four days have been marked by deadly violence between Christians and Muslims. News reports put the death toll in the hundreds. The city of Jos has become polarised along religious lines of settlements following three violent clashes in the past.

Gideon continues: 'I just got back from Bukuru under security escort and came back greatly dismayed at what I saw. Rows of shops of Christian traders burnt down, in their section of the town, not to mention Churches burnt all over Jos. A number of different churches are yet to count their deaths as, sadly, some are still lying out there on the streets.'

Please pray that the calm reported today (Thursday 21 January) would remain and that God would give lasting peace to this troubled area. Pray too for the students and staff of the IFES student movement in Nigeria, especially those living in Jos. Pray and for them not to fear, but to know that God is with them. We pray that God will use these believers to impact their society for his glory.

haiti: the grace of God

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Itazienne Eugene and Mario Jean Paul, GBEUH

A week after the earthquake, the general situation of Haiti and, specifically the area surrounding Port-au-Prince, is still extremely fragile. However we want to express our thanks to God for his grace in the midst of dramatic circumstances. Thank you too for your support and your prayers.

We are very grateful for the positive reports we have received so far about the members of the GBEUH (the IFES movement there). Communication is still very difficult. Itazienne Eugene, our acting General Secretary, remains the only direct contact for news of what is happening on the ground.

Mario Jean Paul (the other GBEUH staffworker) has visited her and they have been able to share more information. Mario managed to escape from the third floor of the building where the office is located. Of course he left everything behind him in the collapsing building. Recently, the GBEUH had just acquired some furniture and a computer. Even his cell phone was left behind.

Mario writes: 'Blessed be the name of the Eternal One! Since Tuesday 12 January I have experienced the most difficult days of my life. On that day I escaped alive from the collapse of a four storey building, the Maurice Laroche University, where the GBEUH offices are located. At the moment of the earthquake, I was on the third floor. The hand of God protected me by means of cast iron and what remained of the office furniture. I could hardly move to first climb through a hole, then under a girder before jumping to the ground. "Eben-Ezer"!'

You can imagine that situations like his are not isolated. For many people the reality of daily life is becoming a great challenge: the need for food, for shelter, and for medicine. The shops and the banks are closed. The smell of dead bodies is in the air. Distribution of petrol from the gas stations is still not organised. People must constantly be alert because of high prices, smuggling of diluted petrol, and insecurity. In the night, if you manage to get some sleep, it disturbed by many sporadic gunshots.

This summarizes the reality of what is now the daily life of many Haitians after last week's earthquake.

Report received from Marc Pulvar, IFES regional staff in the Caribbean

haiti: a country in a state of shock

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

A violent earthquake hit Haiti in the Caribbean on Tuesday 12 January. Many thousands are feared dead and many more, possibly up to three million, are affected. The epicentre of the earthquake was close to Port-au-Prince, the capital and most populous city of the country.

Marc Pulvar, IFES Associate Regional Secretary for the Caribbean, sent this news:

'Concerning the student ministry, I have to say that communication by phone and email are still extremely difficult. However, yesterday I managed to have a short telephone conversation with the Associate General Secretary, Itazienne Eugene. She said that the general situation is indeed very chaotic. Personally, she is fine and her family as well. The neighbourhood of Delma where she lives has been affected but on her side, they only had walls with cracks. She has been able to tell me about the Treasurer of the ministry, Magda Saint-Victor with whom she has been in touch on the phone. However, since the disaster happened she hasn't been able to get any news from the others such as Pierre-Michel Derivois, the board chairman, or the other staff worker Mario Jean-Paul.

'We do not have any news from the students either. The earthquake occurred around 16:55 local time. At this time most offices, schools and colleges had closed for the day but university institutions were still open. The media reported that many students were under the rubble. For many it was a time of exams. We hope soon that we will be able to share with you more accurate news.

'As for the office of GBEUH, it is centrally located in Port au Prince. This is an area that was badly affected by the earthquake but according to Itazienne Eugene, the building where the office is located has not so far been listed among those that collapsed.

'It is still very difficult to get around the city of Port au Prince and we don't receive much news from the provinces. The first rescue teams are arriving in the country but they will have trouble to get organised. In the country, people are emotionally shaken. Itazienne told me yesterday how difficult it was for her to see with her own eyes buildings collapsing and people dying.

'At regional level, we hope to be able to provide assistance as soon as possible. So get prepared for that. Meanwhile, we invite you to continue to pray for this painful situation. Therefore pray for: good organization of rescue around the injured people and the survivors; spiritual, physical and emotional strength to cope with the situation; news about the members of GBEUH we haven't heard from.'

international: facing trials of many kinds

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

GBEUH Haitian students

Following the earthquake which devastated Haiti on Tuesday (12 January), we have just today managed to make contact with a friend in the IFES movement there (GBEUH). Marc Pulvar, IFES regional staff in the Caribbean, writes: 'I have been able to have a short telephone conversation with the Associate General Secretary, Itazienne. She said that the general situation is indeed very chaotic.' Itazienne and her family are well, but she is without news of the students or other members of the staff team. The offices of GBEUH are situated in the centre of Port-au-Prince, the capital city, in an area that has been seriously affected by the earthquake, but the buildings hosting GBEUH have not yet been mentioned by the media among those that collapsed. You can read more of Marc's email here.

We continue to cry out to God for them and for this nation. News reports suggest the situation is increasingly desperate and the estimated death toll keeps rising. Haiti, already the poorest nation of the Caribbean, has suffered so much over the years as a result of political instability and natural disasters.

In these immediate days after the disaster, the work of relief and rescue agencies, such as World Vision, is vital and there is an urgent need for more donations. Over the coming weeks, as we know more about the situation of our IFES friends, we will be able to understand better how we can support them, caring for their practical and pastoral needs and, longer term, looking at how they can rebuild the student work. We will share more news as we hear it.

You may also have heard the news of the controversy in Malaysia after a high court ruling allowed Malaysian Christians to use the word 'Allah' when referring to God in their native language. This decision has sparked violence and several churches have been attacked over the past week. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country: 60% of the population is ethnic Malay, 25% is ethnic Chinese; the rest is made up by ethnic Indians and other tribal peoples. The majority of Malays are Muslim, while the rest of the population is Christian, Buddhist or Hindu.

Annette Arulrajah (General Secretary of FES, the IFES movement in Malaysia) asked us to pray that 'at this time, Christians will let love speak loud and clear. Pray too for FES buildings and for churches, that no more will be lost.' Please pray that this situation will not escalate into more violence and hatred.

Thank you for praying with us. We know we are absolutely dependent on God and we look to him for his help for our friends in Haiti and Malaysia - and those around the world who are facing trials of many kinds. We ask God to continue to develop 'living stones' among our students and to build us into a spiritual house, a 'holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5).

haiti: suffering devastation

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

A violent earthquake hit Haiti in the Caribbean on Tuesday 12 January. Thousands are feared dead and many thousands injured and homeless. The epicentre of the earthquake was close to Port-au-Prince the capital and most populous city of the country.

Haiti, already the poorest nation of the Caribbean, has suffered much over the years as a result of political upheavals and environmental disasters. The ensuing disruption to university teaching programmes has impacted the GBEUH's ministry among students.

Marc Pulvar (IFES Associate Regional Secretary for the Caribbean) wrote: 'In many regards, the situation seems to be chaotic. Communication with GBEUH, the IFES student movement has not been possible so far. Please intercede with us for efficiency of the rescue teams (Haitian and international teams). Pray too for our friends in GBEUH - students, staff, board.'

As we pray together for the Haitian people and our friends there, we can praise God who is our refuge and our fortress, our God, in whom we trust (Psalm 91:2).

UPDATE: a country in a state of shock

central europe: one body and one spirit

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Last year, we asked you to pray for a summer camp organized jointly by the Serbian and Croatian IFES student movements. The camp was held in Dalmatia, a very tense area for Serbs as in the 1991-1995 war between Croatia and Serbia, that area suffered much hostility.

Samuil who heads up the ministry in Serbia shares: 'Many Serbs felt intimidated to go through Dalmatia. The Serbian students traveling to Dalmatia for the camp were escorted by the Croatian police to the camp! Throughout the camp, the police stayed on the camp.'

In the face of these tensions, the students saw God at work, breaking down barriers of hostility. One student reflected afterwards: 'I understand they are similar people to us. At the start of the camp, we didn't open up, but later we became good friends'. Another student shared: 'The camp was a gift from God to me. Here I got many new friends for life from a different country, and I will pass on this atmosphere to my friends in my home city and faculty.'

Samuil continues: 'Students built new friendships from the first day. The program started with a prayer meeting. They organized small groups where they could discuss many important passages from the Gospels. In the afternoon, we had different creative workshops such as art, dance, drama and sports, a good chance to build lasting friendships.

'The camp revealed many prejudices from a painful past. And yet, many of the students are now in touch, and visits are planned. The students want to have a similar camp next summer!

'Thank you so much for your prayers and your support! Your prayers made a difference for students from Serbia and Croatia. These are students who will be tomorrow's leaders to shape our society and make important decisions.'

We praise God that in Jesus, 'there is one body and one Spirit' (Ephesians 4:4)!

north america: incarnational mission

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

17,000 students gather to worship, pray, and consider the theme 'he dwells among us'.

Greetings to you, direct from the last day of Urbana 09, InterVarsity's 22nd missions conference, in St Louis, USA. Over the last five days, 17,000 students, staff, supporters and missions agencies have gathered here to worship, pray, and consider the theme 'he dwells among us'.

A few weeks ago we asked you to pray for Urbana – that delegates would be challenged by the spiritual and physical needs of the world. Thank you for your prayers – God has been mightily at work here. We have been challenged to see mission as incarnational, following the model Jesus set before us. Thousands of students have committed or re-committed their lives to Christ, thousands more have declared their intention to serve in cross-cultural mission.

Now please join us in praying for everyone who has heard God's call on their life this week – that the seeds sown here at Urbana would be nurtured in the coming days, weeks, months and years. Please pray that God will raise up workers for his harvest. And praise God with us for the faithful service at Urbana of staff, organisers, speakers, volunteers, and so many more.

To hear more about how God has been working in the lives of IFES delegates here at Urbana, we invite you to take a look at this short film.

Thank you for praying with us.

latin america: intimacy with God

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Students meet with God in the pages of the Bible.

Mireille is a recent graduate from ABU Brazil.

'Prayer is often associated with something repetitive and monotonous. For a long time, I personally felt bad and like running away from God for not having a routine in prayer. But I didn't give up on God in that area and neither did he on me! Our amazing loving God shows me everyday how honesty and simplicity draw me close to him and how I can grow in intimacy with him.

'Life is so uncertain; we live in a world of a billion things to do. I have just graduated from university and have no clear idea what direction God wants me to go. Then my dad got sick away from home. The surgery was expensive and complicated. I felt so helpless. The only thing I could do was to pray and ask friends to pray. Now he is in less pain and is coming home. It is a miracle of life and love.'

Join us in praising our great and loving God for his work and for the intimacy we – and students around the world – can know with him. Let us come with confidence before him as we persevere in praying for students around the world to be transformed by the gospel.