UCCF: The Christian Unions – students, staff and supporters working together to reach the campus for Christ.

Christian Unions

Born out of one student’s Vision for Mission

In 1923 Norman Grubb was a young student at Cambridge University. He writes, “I had one overwhelming urge - to get around to all the rooms of the men in my College, Trinity, and witness to them and ask them to join our small group of the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union. I did this, though often it cost me a lot to do it, for they were mainly men who had held good ranks in the army and were pretty sophisticated, being older than the average undergraduates.

"If the CU movement didn’t exist we would just have to invent it because it’s such a brilliant idea."
Vaughn Roberts, St Ebbes, Oxford

Before I left university, the Spirit distinctly came on me to go and speak in no uncertain terms to all I knew personally who had not accepted Christ, or who at least showed no sign of spiritual life. There had been this definite "commission" that I had to give myself to witness in the university. I went and pulled no punches, and a number came out for Christ, about sixteen of them.   This caused a stir like a touch of revival.As I shared these experiences with others in the Christian Union, it came like a vision to me that every university and college in Britain and the world should have its evangelical and witnessing Christian Union, as we had. Little did I then realize that this was the start of what has since grown to become the world-wide ‘Christian Union’ Fellowship, now in hundreds and probably thousands of colleges in all nations.”

In 1947 UCCF became a founding member of IFES (International fellowship of Evalgelical Students) and continue to play a role globally. Today  there are approximately 20,000 students involved in over 350 CUs across the UK. For over 75 years UCCF: The Christian Unions has sought to be a faithful witness to Christ in the student world.

2006: a Radically Different Student World: The
Same Radical Vision for Mission

Almost everything has changed since 1923, but the vision of UCCF: The Christian Unions in Britain is the same today – to obey God’s commission to GO and reach students of all nations who show no sign of spiritual life with the life-transforming gospel of Christ. And it’s as radical and sacrificial today as it was in 1923. The message of hope in Christ is still contemporary, necessary and urgent.

A growing mission field

By 2010 50% of 18–21year olds in the UK will be studying in university or college. Of these 3.5 million students, 300,000 will be internationals. Most will know little of Jesus.

The changing face of student life sees many students affected by debt, loneliness and pressure. Increasingly few of these students have any church background, biblical knowledge or Christian faith. Some are hostile to the gospel; many are open to thinking about Jesus.

Today’s student world is an unparalleled opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with a spiritually hungry generation.

Our Missionary Strategy 

Many future leaders in government, business, the arts and professions are studying in universities and colleges today. Those who will influence the next generation as parents, teachers and role models are students today.

Universities are the key source of ideas in society. These thoughts distil down to the popular level. Relating faith to academic studies is essential, from undergraduate level upwards, for credible evangelism.

A unique strategy

Christian Unions are Mission Teams of Christian Students working at the heart of Britain’s universities and colleges – living for Jesus, and speaking for Jesus. CU’s are committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ from all nations on campus, and to making a godly impact in every sphere of university life.

"I'm thrilled that UCCF not only equips students to do evangelism on campus but also to ensure they take on an active role in local church life."
Terry Virgo, New Frontiers

We believe that students are best placed to reach students for Christ. We believe that student-led teams give maximum access to students, maximum integrity with university/college authorities, maximum creativity, and maximum opportunity for students to learn to live and speak for Jesus in their ‘workplace’.

Our experience has shown us that Christian Union’s function most effectively as Mission Teams when they are being envisioned, supported and resourced by UCCF  Christian Union Staff Workers  and where the students are properly involved in the life of a local church.

The Christian Union weekly meeting is the Mission Team Meeting for prayer together, for receiving training or teaching relevant to student witness, for supporting one another, for planning together, with a view to GOING… to reach others through personal witness, ‘seeker/ follow-up courses’, outreach café’s, surveys, evangelistic events and small groups, etc, etc.

These Christian Unions:

• Are mission focussed
• unite around the central truths of the gospel as expressed in the Doctrinal Basis
• are interdenominational, uniting students from many churches in evangelism
• are led by students

Living for Jesus Speaking for Jesus

UCCF Christian Unions are committed to proclaiming the gospel in a way that is meaningful, relevant and persuasive.

"It is difficult to think of many UK Christian leaders who were not shaped, in part, by the ministries of UCCF."
Don Carson

Apologetics lunch bars, special events and missions provide a focus for personal evangelism. Small group follow up courses help students investigate further. CU Carol Services are among the biggest events on campus, some drawing over a thousand students. Over 1 million gospels have been given by students to students since 1990.

Student evangelism is working on campus and is bearing fruit.

There are literally hundreds coming to faith each year and who are then joining a  local church because of CU mission activity. We have been excited, encouraged and overwhelmed with a sense of God’s goodness to us as he has blessed us in our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the student world.