The Context:

Though university missions are commonplace in the UK, where at least 50 missions were held this year, they are rare in continental Europe, with the exception of Germany. Since the beginning of 2008, therefore, IFES and UCCF have joined together in a joint project, led by Lindsay Brown, (former general secretary of IFES, who is now seconded to work part-time with UCCF for this purpose), which has, as its objective, the unearthing and developing of university evangelists in Europe, principally on the continent. Our prayerful goal is to unearth and develop 30 university evangelists and apologists by the end of 2013 and hopefully 50 people committed to being engaged in the public communication of the gospel across Europe by the end of 2018. This will entail the development of people engaged in speaking in university missions, delivering apologetic talks, and engagement in public dialogues and debates with non-Christians.

The Approach:

We are using two primary means to develop these evangelists; firstly by inviting potential and current evangelists from continental Europe to come and observe UK missions; secondly, by hosting an annual conference for potential and current evangelists – the first was held in Schloss Mittersill, Austria, in October 2008 and attended by 60 people from 20 countries. Our on-going aim will be to provide resources and interaction with those who show signs of having these gifts and providing opportunities for them to work together in partnerships, so that they can learn from one another and develop their gifts in teams.

To this end:

During the period January to March this year, 2009, we invited potential and current evangelists to visit UK and join us on UK missions. January to March each year is the principal season for UK based missions. Fourteen people from the continent attended missions during this three month period (up from 8 in 2008). They came from Norway, Germany, Serbia, Bosnia, Hungary, Croatia, Holland and Romania. Five more wanted to come from Greece and Czech Republic, but applied too late! We trust that these people will be able to benefit from UK based missions next year.

The Future:

As a result of these events, plans are afoot to hold a second conference for potential and current university evangelists, which will take place in Schloss Mittersill in late October this year. Speakers will include Richard Cunningham (UCCF national director), Michael Green and Lindsay Brown.

We anticipate the conference will bring together 70–80 people from at least 25 European countries. All those who attend will be asked to commit themselves to either organising or speaking in a university type mission in continental Europe or in the UK in the next year.

Secondly, Following the conference, we anticipate sending teams of three people to speak in 7 university missions in Zagreb (Croatia), Belgrade (Serbia), Budapest (Hungary), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Skopje (Macedonia), Prague (Czech Republic), and Innsbruck and Vienna in Austria. We understand that these missions, with the exception of the two in Austria, will be the first held in the post-Soviet era in each of the Eastern European countries.

In 2010, we anticipate these evangelists benefitting from accessing the excellent UCCF website (bethinking.org), engaging in university missions in other parts of Europe, as well as many more coming to observe and participate in UK-based missions in the period January to March next year.

• We would appreciate your prayerful support for this important ministry. If you would like to receive more information, please write to Lindsay Brown at lindsaybrown@ifesworld.org
• If you would like to contribute towards the scholarship fund to enable some of these nascent evangelists to come and observe UK missions, and organise missions in their own countries, please also write to Lindsay Brown at the above address.

We have a desperate need for God to raise up those who can communicate the gospel in the public theatre of the university all across Europe. Please pray with us to the end that God would answer our prayers and raise up 50 such people over the next 10 years, at least one in each European country.

Give thanks for:

• speakers already identified
• the opportunities they have for training, development and participation in UK missions

Please pray that:

• God would raise up 50 such people over the next 10 years, at least one in each European country
• all those who are training these young evangelists, would be given wisdom and know how to encourage them
• the right people would be selected for this training
• God would speak to many hearts and many students would come to know and love him