Reaching Students for Christ he akonga ki nga akonga hei ara whakawhiti mo te Karaiti

A New FOCUS

I had the privilege of being a volunteer in the Fellowship of Christian Unions (FOCUS), which is the equivalent of TSCF in Uganda. My work was mainly administrative, which suited me perfectly given my personality. Yet having said that, I had the opportunity to meet with many students who said that their lives have been transformed during their time in FOCUS. Some of them were back at FOCUS as volunteers while trying to find a job in the difficult economic conditions.

Amongst all the administrative work I was doing, one thing about FOCUS which stuck out to me was the amazing alumni network they had from half a generation ago. Through my work I was able to meet several FOCUS ‘oldies’ who truly left an impression on me. These Ugandan ex-FOCUS members just absolutely love the ministry because they gained so much from FOCUS as a student. Today they are Christians who love the Lord, love people and are giving back to student ministry and society. FOCUS was facing financial hardship while I was there, and I saw this group of ‘oldies’ step up and help out with the finances. FOCUS was also going through a transitional phase, and this group stood up and offered help and advice in many ways. Giving back to our student groups after we graduate seemed so logical and natural to me while I was a student and while I was with FOCUS; but having come back from Uganda, and having started work, it doesn’t seem that natural anymore. Sometimes it seems there are no opportunities to help, sometimes it just so happens that due to whatever hurdles, we can’t help at a particular time.

Many of us are products of IFES student ministry. We feel excited when we think back to how student ministry changed our lives, and at suggestions to help out at the Fellowship. So whatever position you’re in, I believe this question is relevant to us all: how do we, graduates, give back to TSCF?

Michelle Ho, ex-AOCF student

Posted by Mel Mylvaganam on 14/12/2011