We were overwhelmed by the amount of support given to us during our Mission Week by both local churches and student's home churches. On behalf of the Christian Union here I would like to thank Knutsford Methodist Church for being so generous in the money it has given to us for this event. However, I was most encouraged to hear of the many people who prayed for us personally and that we, and all the students at Christian Union, have been prayed for in the course of the church's ordinary prayer-life. We have been greatly encouraged by the reminder that we are part of the body of Christ and are not alone.
So how did it go? Extremely well. We have had a good take up of our Christianity Explored course, from around three or four last year to around ten this year. Pray they will come and that they will come to believe in the gospel over this course, where partakers look at Mark's gospel.
Our talks were well attended and the questions were challenging and well answered by our speakers. We had people from all backgrounds: people who went to a church but had no knowledge of the gospel, people who grew up in Christian homes and rejected the message, people who had never heard the message, Muslims, Internationals and all sorts. Some were friends of CU members but others had come in on a whim, and were welcomed by Christians and were able to chat about their belief.
As well as people who came to the talks, we went, throughout the day, to do questionnaires with people who weren't willing to come. With provocative questions such as "Who do you think Jesus is?" we were amazed at how open people were and how much they wanted to understand. We ask for your prayers for these people too, that, though they were wary of formal Christian events, they may have some way to receive the message
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We cannot fully know the true extent to which this week had effect; God works in ways beyond our imagination! We were incredibly encouraged by the buzz of Christianity the week created around the campus. Christians were being quizzed by their non-Christian friends about the week, and one of our CU guests overheard a group of people who, having seen one of our posters, were discussing among themselves the question, and expressing a desire to understand it. We also had some stalls with tracts and John's gospels (in English and Chinese) which were taken away by passers-by. It is quite humbling that God has been working in ways we cannot imagine. In a culture where religious apathy and an atmosphere of private religion reigns, for people even to discuss these things is a miracle, and we pray God will work through that as much as the work we can see more tangibly.
Yours, in Christ,
Tim Wilson and all at Queen's Campus Christian Union.
Before I round off, may I make a few prayer-requests.
Thank you once more from all at Queen's Campus CU for the church's great generosity in prayer and in money.