University of Birmingham Christian Union

World mission

One of our aims is to encourage students to take on the challenge of the Great Commission, to make Jesus known globally. This is through both proclaiming the gospel, and showing God’s love to people on earth and seeking to meet practical and spiritual needs. This includes regular prayer in our main meetings for other countries and giving financially to organisations such as IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students).

We encourage members to seriously consider world mission opportunities, both during university holidays and after graduating, and provide practical and fund raising support to do that. We provide links to numerous mission agencies to provide members with as much information as possible. University offers a unique opportunity to catch God’s heart for the poor and UBCU aims to provide any support you may need. Please see or email World mission coordinator  Jet Rackstraw for advice, or for opportunities to share your experiences of World Mission with the rest of the CU.

What are you doing this summer?

Of course the whole of our lives should be lived out in mission, but it can be good to have times where we particularly focus on sharing Jesus with and encouraging a particular group of people or nation.

Why bother? Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19) and, with the blessing of pretty long holidays (sorry physios and medics), we have a great opportunity to go and serve others. You’ll probably find as well that you’ll be so blessed through it (even though it might be hard).

Below is info about some great organisations that offer mostly short-term projects, some at Easter or in the summer, and for graduating students, projects that last a year. Projects range from focussed evangelism through a beach mission, to teaching about Jesus through being a leader on a kids’ camp, to showing God’s love to people through helping in an orphanage, to preparing and providing resources for the future through a building project.

Your own church at home or in Birmingham may be trying to organise kids’ summer camps or projects in the local community – find out and get involved!

Get praying and get going!

Four steps

1. Pray and ask God to direct your steps. He might not clearly ‘call’ you to a specific place, but ask Him to open and shut the necessary doors. Investigate!
2. If you’re worried about money, again, pray! It might be a step of faith, but if it’s right, God will provide. Most churches have a missions fund to support people, and the CU has a (limited!) amount of money available. Sponsored events, generous relatives or selling things you don’t need on eBay are also good ways of making money! You could even get a job!
3. Fill the forms in – some of the project deadlines are fairly early so don’t leave it to the last minute! Some are available online, but some you may have to send off for.
4. Talk to someone you know who has been on world mission before. Jet Rackstraw, our Global secretary would love to chat to you about it. That way, the Christian Union can pray for and support you.

Links

Here is a selection of links to organisations that run short-term projects around the world: