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New leaders in Dunedin student groups
Last Friday (22 August) saw the handover of old exec. committees to new exec. committees in the VCF and OCF Annual General Meeting. These new leaders will meet together on Saturday 6 September for training for their new roles.
Posted by Nick Brennan on 07/09/2008
UCCU: 'Is God a Delusion' series makes headlines
During third term, the Christian Union has sought to engage the campus by hosting a public lecture series on the topic 'Is God a Delusion'. The series has tackled issues surrounding science, sexuality, and the existence of God. The series culminated in a week of events, with TSCF's National Outreach Coordinator Ben Carswell.
Debate has been heighted in the broader student community, with many letters to the student mag, and several articles dealing with Christianity and Christian activity on campus. Many students are vocal about their disapproval, and the feature article last week was a three-page rebuttal of one of the mission talks.
Although the debate is often hostile, the level of dialogue is unusual and welcome. There is much potential to respond to the naturalistic worldview so prevalent at Canterbury, and the rising interest in Dawkins and the 'new atheism'.
Posted by Scott Mackay on 25/08/2008
LUCF: New leaders wrestling for presidency
At the beginning of August, Lincoln University Christian Fellowship elected its new leadership team for the next 12 months. All those standing were comprehensively elected, and the following weekend headed to Takamatua on Banks Peninsula for a vision weekend - time in the Bible, time dreaming big, time in training and time messing around on the water in boats and windsurf boards.
Good times, with much enthusiam about how Jesus might work in and through these five for his glory at Lincoln. Please do pray for Justin, Kate, Amy, Tassy & Mickey as they start to work together.
The five elected leaders at Takamatua needed to work out their role within the team. In true Lincoln fashion, the presidency was decided by an arm wrestle. Good on ya Justin!
Posted by Tim Hodge on 25/08/2008
Nigel returns from Olympics
Nigel Pollock has just returned from spending a week at the Olympic Games in Beijing. It was a fascinating experience seeing many aspects of Chinese culture up close and also great fun to be able to be part of the Olympics. While he was there Nigel was an online correspondent for SPARC. You can read his updates at http://twitter.com/nigel_pollock and see photos at www.pacificscots.blogspot.com.
Posted by Nigel Pollock on 25/08/2008
TSCF goes to Singapore
Representatives from TSCF will be heading to the FES Singapore National Conference to join them in celebrating God's goodness over the past 50 years. Val Goold and Ben & Jenni Carswell will be heading across to Singapore to share with the wider IFES family as together we seek to reach students for Christ.
Posted by Ben Carswell on 25/08/2008
Turning Japanese
From 4-9 August three students and two staff attended the IFES East Asian Regional Conference in Tokyo. We greatly encouraged and challenged in staff and students from the 11 different East Asian regions and hearing stories of God's faithfulness and overcoming various adversities in the contexts. From what we have learnt from the conference and various conversations, we hope to be better at connecting with and discipling East Asian students.
Posted by James Allaway on 25/08/2008
Val off to Singapore
Val (and also Ben Carswell and his wife) are off to East Asia for an exciting trip to connect with student work in the wider Asia region. We have been invited to be part of the 50th anniversary event for our sister movement FES in Singapore. Keynote speakers are Vinoth Ramachandra, Jim Tebbe, and Dr Tan Lai Yong and they are hoping to gather around 500 students from around the region to celebrate being involved in "Integral Mission". I am then taking the opportunity to stop by KL on the way back to spend three days spending time with staff and students to get greater insight into the approach to student ministry in Malaysia and to learn more about the work we do among Malaysian students here. I am sure this will be a great time or learning and fellowship. I will back in NZ on September 12!
Posted by Val Goold on 25/08/2008
TSCF wins Office Olympics
After months of arduous training, Team TSCF won the gold medal by two points against team SU on August 20. The events include straw javelin, balloon volleyball, tabletop soccer, egg and spoon race, golf frisbee, sock hockey. Liz Watson made a star appearance, and broke the world record in the javelin event. She was drug tested and the results were negative. The TSCF National Director, Nigel Pollock, failed to turn up. He was unavailable for an interview.
Posted by Gina Wong on 25/08/2008
Auckland University of Technology: Jesus on Trial
It has been so exciting to see the group of students coming along to the investigative Bible study every Wednesday at AUT growing over this semester - both in number and in understanding. This semester has seen several non-Christians coming along and encountering Jesus through the studies in Luke. What an amazing opportunity to see people being transformed by God's Word!
Posted by Gillian Wildgoose on 24/08/2008