Highlights Jan 25

Students: Warwick CU Hope Missions Week 

At the end of January, Warwick University Christian Union had an absolutely fantastic time with their Hope Missions Week. A huge number of students from St Marks joined the fun and have told us of the truly incredible vibe all week. 

This year there were a lot of practical challenges to be overcome, and even just a week before the event was about to start, it was looking possible that they may have to cancel. But the power of prayer won out and by the grace of God, everything went ahead, resulting in the biggest missions week that Warwick CU have experienced to date! 

Over the course of the week around 2000 people came to at least one talk or activity, many bibles were given away to students interested in reading God’s word, and CU students engaged in deep discussions about Jesus, with some coming to faith. 

Catering had been a huge challenge on a practical front this year, but what was amazing was seeing so many people turn up to meals that we didn’t even all fit inside the marquee! On one session, we had content planned but most students came and just wanted to start reading Bibles that had been handed out.  

Across the week, the enthusiasm the students showed to share the gospel with their friends on campus was incredible, and the turnout and engagement off the back of these invites, conversations and Bibles given out has been amazing. 

We are seeing that God truly is on the move across the students in Coventry, as the hunger for His presence grows, the excitement to share His love with others grows too. 

Coventry Youth Conference 

We had such an INCREDIBLE time at the first ever Coventry Youth Conference. A group of youth from St Marks joined over 200 young people from across the city to be encouraged and equipped in how to share their faith with their friends. Even just seeing so many young people willing to give up their Saturday for this event was amazing, recognising the hunger they have for Jesus and the passion for telling others about him. 

There was great energy and depth during the worship times, as the presence of the Holy Spirit rested on the young people and leaders who were gathered. Over the course of the day, as we listened to talks and participated in workshops, the overarching message from the young people was not ‘why should we share our faith’ but ‘how can we start conversations’. It was abundantly clear that a passion for evangelism was reaching even the less confident young people. 

The national statistics might show an anxious generation, with no faith and nothing to hope for, but at Coventry Youth Conference it was so clear that Jesus has declared his LOVE for his children. We see a generation joined together in the LIVING HOPE they find in their love for Jesus, and their desire to speak that love over others. 

The power of God is moving through our young people across the nation and we cry out MORE LORD!