So, Freshers' Week or Freshers' Fortnight has passed and things are starting to settle into something of a routine. Maybe you've been really involved in CU Freshers' activities, maybe you're a fresher yourself or maybe you've turned up at CU recently to a sea of new faces. Whatever route you've taken to the half-way point this term I want to say a big HELLO to you all because you're all part of something much bigger than your CU or your campus.

You're part of a team of students on your campus or in your city which exists to let introduce other students to Jesus. Over the last few weeks many students in the North West have heard about Jesus for the first time and are getting to know Him better as a result of a Christian student introducing them to Him. But how do people get to know Jesus? Well, much like you get to know anyone really, first you need to be introduced and then you need to get talking!

In John 10:1-21 Jesus describes His people as a flock and he says that His sheep hear His voice. In the gospels we have some of Jesus' direct words recorded, but as Jesus is the Word of God, we know that Jesus' voice can be heard by reading any part of the Bible.

This academic year, up to 400,000 students across Great Britain are going to be given copies of Mark's gospel and be invited to read if for themselves and come along to discussion groups and events where the gospel is explored and explained. It's called the FREE gospel project and if you've not heard about it yet, make sure you read all about it in this student card mailing!

I don't know how many of those 400,000 or so students will hear Jesus' voice as they read, but I do know that God sends His Spirit to every one of Jesus' sheep to enable them to hear His voice, so we can definitely be sure of some action!

So how can you play a part?

1. Invest in real friendships wherever you find them (SU society, course mates, housemates) and pray for these friends regularly by name.
2. Get familiar with Mark's gospel yourself and pray that you will clearly hear Jesus' voice as you read.
3. Give your friends a copy of the 'FREE' copy of Mark's gospel and invite them to work through it with you. Ask them who Jesus is, what He came to do and what they think their response should be to Him.
4. Get involved in your CU's 'FREE' gospel distribution week and mission week when you'll blitz the campus with gospels and invitations to events where the gospel is clearly and relevantly explained.

Let's pray that many students hear Jesus' voice and that he lovingly carries them home on His shoulders. (John 10: 16 & Luke 15: 1-7)

Have a great term!