TSCF aims to achieve the following:
To proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in tertiary campuses and lead students to personal faith in Christ, and equip graduates to live and speak for Jesus in the workplace.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
The gospel calls Christian students and graduates to true witness, a unity of word, deed and character which compels the attention of the world and calls all to respond to the good news. True witness is faithful witness, attentive to the full implications of the gospel, shaped by the biblical testimony about Christ. Through its training programmes and resources, and its holistic approach to the discipleship of student leaders, TSCF pursues true witness in every facet of its mission.
'We are called to be ambassadors of Christ... not just at our own campuses but by demonstrating it through our way of life. "True witness" in this sense means living out our everyday life as Christ would want it. People would then be able to see the wholeness and the sincerity of our faith... we're not just wanting to witness for Christ to convert people to Christianity... we want to show them God's love and that we care for them...' Kirsten Lim
'Perhaps becoming a "True Witness" is like learning a piece of music. Most of us stumble through the obligatory theory lessons and take some pleasure in taking the sheet of music and carefully following the notation. A good teacher helps! With practice, our stumbles become a recognisable tune. And finally (sometimes) we play the score from our hearts, responding as the composer intended. Then, we make music. To be a true witness takes time.' Winsome Parnell
To promote a life of discipleship and a growing Christian maturity among students and recent graduates.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
TSCF believes that reconciliation is at the heart of the good news. The gospel 'undivides' life: it contests the fragmentation of daily living, the dissolution of community and the opposition of gender, ethnicity and denominational confession. In place of these it calls for redeemed and redeeming relationships, a possibility found only in the risen Christ. By grounding its mission in interdenominational student groups, in active partnership across cultural divides, TSCF sets out to embody the undivided life of the gospel.
'I was a confirmed eclectic when I started at university, and a serial monogamist on the question of church. The two were linked: no single denomination or church seemed willing to countenance the breadth of spirituality – all of it within orthodox Christian tradition – on which I wanted to draw. I wanted to be contemplative, charismatic, biblically thoughtful and socially responsible. My TSCF experience was immensely freeing: I had the opportunity to undivide my life within a biblically committed, interdenominational community. More than this, I made lifelong friendships with similarly complex others; they, like me, have since sought to undivide the world around them, wherever they go. They are among the most creative people I know.' Matthew Scott
To challenge students and graduates to follow Jesus as Lord in every area of life, including their studies, career and lifestyle, and in issues of social justice and morality.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
The gospel calls Christian students and graduates to the renewal of the mind. Rejecting an unreflective faith, TSCF'ers search the scriptures for light on every aspect of work and study, witness and life. Equally, we think deeply about the context of our mission, so that the gospel is brought to engage closely with the issues, the needs, the idolatries of the day.
TSCF works hard to provoke deep thought at its training events and conferences, providing challenging and wise speakers and quality literature. Serious engagement with the scriptures is always at the forefront of the mission.
'An unchallenged faith is no faith at all. TSCF has challenged, teased and provoked me into deeper questioning of the value of my Christian faith – how to relate it to practical life while being steered towards the cross. Rather than accept the Christian values passed on from others, TSCF has taught me to think deeply for myself and to make the Christian faith my own.' Elaine Tan
To promote a world Christian perspective and personal commitment to mission.
Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' Matthew 28:18-20
As Christian students and graduates, we are sent into all the world. Generations of TSCFers have resolved to bring the gospel to their corner of the globe, whether in New Zealand or in far-flung lands.
Now, with the influx of students from many nations, among them some where the gospel is barely known, this same world has come to us. TSCF sets itself to respond with the good news.
A global perspective and calling begins long before graduation. In our events, in our partnership with other mission organisations, and especially in our participation in IFES, TSCF proclaims a gospel with global reach.
'From my first IVF conference I was challenged by "Global Reach". God’s call took us to work with students and graduates in India and to teaching theology in PNG. Our lives were greatly enriched and friendships made in many places. We continue to be grateful for the global vision of the Fellowship.' Dennis Fountain