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This week, students from university groups all over the country (and region) gathered at Exhibition Park in Canberra for the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students’ annual National Training Event (NTE).

AFES offers Christians and churches in Canberra an open invitation to attend the evening sessions of the conference, so I was able to stick my head into this encouraging event and receive a welcome boost for the run-up to Christmas. Here are seven things that encouraged me from just one evening session of the AFES National Training Event:

1. A focus on taking the gospel of Jesus to the whole world

The clear and prominent message was that the world that must hear about the Lord Jesus. Those who were gathered were challenged to consider that they might be part of God’s answer to the prayer for even more people to offer themselves for overseas gospel work.

The clear and prominent message was that the world that must hear about the Lord Jesus.

Certain sections of the media like to caricature Gen-Z as self-involved —heads down, staring at screens. But this was absolutely not the case at NTE. The presence of Mission agencies and the ‘ACT NOW’ room presented a vision for reaching the whole world.

2. Promoting partnerships in taking the gospel of Jesus to the world

Aligned with that first encouragement was a second one: this fellowship of university students regards partnerships as the most fruitful way to share the rich resources God has blessed us with in Australia.

What an encouragement it was to hear about the long-standing partnership with student ministry in Slovenia—and about another developing with Myanmar. I heard about people travelling to serve and working to facilitate giving. There was a real spirit of cooperation in taking the gospel of Jesus to the needy world.

3. A prayerful dependence on God when facing the challenge of record attendance

The National Director of AFES, Richard Chin (also a TGCA Council member) told me about the challenge of fitting the record number of attendees into the venue.

The team bringing the conference together choose to respond to the problem by praying. It can be tempting to switch into problem-solving mode or drop into some panic or anxiety. Instead, expressing their dependence on God, the team stopped to pray.

4. The record attendance that created the challenge

About those record numbers: over two thousand attendees made this National Training Event a landmark moment for the AFES movement (we even saw a video of the long and snaking line of conference attendees lining up to get a meal—the video was sped up, for good reason!).

Whatever reason we might suggest for this encouraging turnout, the best part is that all these students have the opportunity to be trained, equipped and encouraged to share Jesus both now and in the future. Over two thousand young people will return to their local churches more ready and able to serve.

5. Vaughan Roberts clearly, humbly and faithfully explaining God’s Word

The main talks this year were given, by Vaughan Roberts (Rector of St Ebbe’s, Oxford), on the topic of Identity. I got to hear his second talk, on the question of purpose. Vaughan showed us how intricately linked the issue of identity and purpose are. It was especially encouraging to hear his clear and faithful explanation of how Genesis 1&2 shows the centrality of worship, and how all our other activities should be coordinated around the worship of God.

Vaughan encouraged us to consider our work and our witness as subcategories of worship.

In applying the previous point, Vaughan encouraged us to consider our work and our witness as subcategories of worship. We should not denigrate our work: it is a good gift from a loving Creator. Nor should we deify our work, as if it gave us safety and significance.

6. Music to lift the spirit and promote gratitude in hearts

In a large room, not designed with acoustics in mind, the music team did a fantastic job. The music rose and fell as skilled musicians played and led the singing to the glory of God. The music did that powerful thing that God designed it to do: it gave great words an opportunity to expand into godly emotions. And when the musicians held back, the voices in the room rose together to replace them, declaring the praises of him who called us out of darkness and into his wonderful light.

7. Stories from ordinary students serving an extraordinary God

Finally, I got to see a video (that appeared to be part of a series) of students talking about how God had been at work in and through them over the past twelve months.

One student, in particular, described the results of taking a risk and offering to facilitate conversations with friends and classmates around some tough apologetic questions. By God’s providence, those who were invited came along—and not just the expected candidates. God’s Spirit is often at work in unlikely places.

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