UCCF // A Student “Thank You”
After a mental twelve weeks, the first term of my second year of university is over. There’s a lot to reflect on over the Christmas break – five fantastic house mates, a wonderful church, new friends, hearty amounts of FIFA and some actual work. One big thing that has been on my mind at the end of this term, however, is my increasing appreciation for the work of UCCF.
I am part of the Evangelical Christian Union down in Exeter, one of many Christian Unions across the country supported by UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship). Their role is to support students in sharing the good news of Jesus with students. I’ve always been fully aware of its role in CU life, but this term I’ve been particularly struck by the difference it has made in my personal walk with Christ and in the life of our CU as a whole.
Uncover.
UCCF’s big project this year has been the relaunch of Uncover – a copy of Luke’s gospel, containing studies drawn up by Becky Manley-Pippert, designed to let people discover Jesus for themselves. It’s a snazzy Moleskine style booklet with QR codes for nifty videos. It’s a legit bit of hardware, and has been repeatedly Instagrammed by hipster Christian students up and down the country.
Now, we don’t NEED to dress the Bible up to make it look trendy, but when I gave a copy to a friend she said “Wow! It’s as if God actually intended the Bible to be read this century!” So the UCCF has wisely estimated the role of a good aesthetic – especially in a campus world made up of thousands of disposable leaflets.
Uncover has reclaimed the simple power of looking at the Bible in one-to-one evangelism. You don’t need apologetics books or tracts – you just need God’s word! The well crafted studies allow you to just dive in. The fruit has been evident! So many people, myself included, have ended this term with stories of how the Lord has used this resource. Praise God for his perfect word and thanks to UCCF for reminding students of its power and sufficiency!
The staff.
UCCF Christian Unions are supported by a staff worker and their apprentice Relay workers. They basically spread themselves around the CU and make stuff happen. I don’t want to get mushy here – but ours are great. Our staff worker, Tom Murray, has the gloriously irritating quality of not being able to not talk about Jesus at any given moment. This year, he’s been joined by Cameron Smith, our Relay worker, a man seemingly only fuelled by the Holy Spirit and vast amounts of sugar. “Keen” doesn’t do the lad justice. I have been massively encouraged and equipped by their contributions to our Bible study preparations and evident excitement about the Gospel 24/7.
Alongside those two, I have to mention Dave Bish, the UCCF regional worker for the South-West. When he’s dropped into our Bible studies, he’s been incredibly helpful (partly because he wrote the studies…) I’d put him up there with the most encouraging Christians I follow on Twitter as well, tweets always full of Gospel goodness. Also, I had a lot of respect for the way he conducted himself in the midst of the controversy at Bristol CU this term.
At one level, an organisation is only as good as the people in it, and it’s people like Tom, Cameron and Dave who make UCCF tick. However, God doesn’t use people because they’re particularly holy or able. All in his service are broken, inadequate sinners. This term, in his grace, he has used three of those to equip and encourage our CU, glorifying himself through them.
The cohesion.
Nothing will send an organisation down the pan quicker than internal disharmony. This is especially true of religious organisations (C of E, case in point). This term though, I have been blown away by the cohesion at work in UCCF’s ministry from the top down.
UCCF seem to have struck upon the novel idea that if you want Christians to effectively share Jesus with others, then they have to believe they have a Jesus worth sharing! Every bit of ministry and teaching I’ve received from UCCF this term has basically been screaming out “God is good! Christ is wonderful! The Holy Spirit is awesome! You’re a Christian, so you’re in on the good stuff – now get off your arse and share it!”
The goodness of the Triune God has been running through everything UCCF related I’ve encountered this term. From the top level teaching of Mike Reeves (UCCF Head of Theology) in books, videos and conferences, to the studies in Luke’s gospel which have been occurring “on the ground” in hall groups this term, there has been a remarkable clarity and unity of vision.
My personal understanding of the Trinity has been radically altered this term. It’s not a scary, off-limits doctrine. It is the wonderful essence of who God is. It ties into the Christian life at every level – from our creation as intended participants in the relationship of the Trinity, to God’s intention for humans to model the Trinity’s dynamic in our relationships, to our salvation into God’s family by adoption in Christ Jesus, to evangelism becoming an invitation to others to know God the Father with all the closeness that God the Son does!
Even the songs coming out of the UCCF have got this going on. Canterbury based musician Olly Knight recently released a couple of tracks – “The Father’s Love” and “Fountain of Goodness” (the latter with words by Mike Reeves). They tie in with this fantastically Biblical, Gospel centred drive in the UCCF.
The Lord has shown me so much more of his character this term, through the Christ-exalting ministry of the UCCF. Thanks to God working through that ministry by his Spirit, I am more in love with Jesus and more excited about telling others about him now than I was just a few months ago. As well as that, Exeter ECU has been full of passion for his name and focussed totally on mission this term. When you realise how great it is to know God, then there’s no way that you can keep that to yourself!
So, UCCF – thank you for your ministry this term. I will be giving thanks over the holidays for the work the Lord has wrought through you – both in my life, my CU and across the rest of the UK. I will be praying that you will continue to stand firm in his service – your feet grounded unshakably in the word, your eyes set firmly on Christ and your hearts open to the prompting of his Holy Spirit.
“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NIV)
An Unshakable Kingdom 