Before starting a Christian Union it’s really important that you’re clear on exactly why it is worth starting a CU and what a CU actually does.

UCCF has an amazing vision: that every student in Great Britain will have an opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a huge vision, but one that UCCF thinks is possible if students like you get passionate about proclaiming the gospel in their universities.

We think the best way to achieve this vision is by establishing a Christian Union in every university and college up and down the country.

What is a CU?

A CU is a group of students who get together to form a mission team. This team is actively involved in doing mission on campus. It is definitely not a Christian social club.

These CU mission teams should be vibrant, exciting places where Christian students unite around the core truths of the gospel to work effectively at proclaiming the gospel and living it out in their lives.

The best people to reach students with the gospel are students like you, because you are the guys who live, study, eat, party and hang out with other students! So a CU must be student led. Students know better than anyone else how other students think, and so are the best people to plan evangelism on campus.

Why start a CU? Why not just get involved in
church?

That is a really good question. It is essential that Christian students get stuck into local church where they can be loved, held accountable and serve. But local churches aren’t allowed onto most campuses, so how can we proclaim the gospel to thousands of students where they are most comfortable? The answer is through Christian Unions – student societies that can book rooms and run events right at the heart of the student hangouts.

One of the first things you should do if you’re thinking about starting a CU would be to talk to your church leader. In order for a CU to be an effective mission team on campus it is essential that local churches are behind the vision, willing to support you in your role and happy to commit themselves to supporting the work either prayerfully, financially or both.

With your church behind you, you are ready to start a CU, but where do you begin? Read the rest of the articles in this section to find out!

Next: Step 1 – Find a time and place to meet »