groups

Groups are collections of discussions within a particular topic. Click on a group to view the discussions.

• Caribbean

  The Caribbean is a diverse place – linguistically, socially, culturally and geo-politically. There is generally religious tolerance and freedom for Christians to spread the gospel, especially in the English- and Dutch-speaking countries. However, students experience restrictions in some of the French-speaking movements, since the French laws declare that schools and other public places are religion-free zones.

• East Asia

  East Asia faces the challenging contrasts of Buddhism, Communism, Islam, and Consumerism. It includes one of the world’s leading missionary-sending churches (South Korea) yet is home to countries where the persecution of believers is a terrible reality.

• EPSA

  In a context facing the challenge of corruption, social injustice and political instability on top of some of the most extreme poverty and the march of the HIV/AIDS pandemic across the region, there is a need for rapid church growth to be matched by a corresponding impact of the gospel.

• Europe

  Europe is politically, culturally and religiously highly diverse; the whole continent is currently struggling in the on-going financial crisis. Within Europe there are founder IFES movements, pioneering situations and everything in between. Secularism and atheism are strong voices which can cause believers to be afraid to speak up about Jesus.

• Eurasia

  Eurasia is a large territory covering 12 countries of the former Soviet Union. Having gained independence in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, most of the countries are trying to find their national identity and many are struggling economically. Most Eurasians identify themselves as either Muslim (in Central Asia and Azerbaijan) or Orthodox.

• Francophone Africa

  Francophone Africa has massive economic potential with a wealth of natural resources. However it is hampered by conflict, corruption and poverty and is suffering from the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Although Christians are increasing in number there is the need for the church to grow in spiritual maturity and have a transforming influence on the region.

• Latin America

  The number of churches has grown phenomenally in Latin America but societies are battling with poverty, corruption and injustice and remain in need of transformation by kingdom values. In this context, indigenous IFES movements are reaching students with the gospel and producing godly men and women who will influence their nations for Jesus.

• MENA

  The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is a difficult one for Christian ministry. In these Muslim majority countries, heavy restrictions, isolation and fear can lead to Christians feeling that they are, as several Middle Eastern believers have described it, 'the minority of a minority of a minority'. Yet God is at work and there is great courage, freedom and boldness among Christ's followers there.

• North America

  Challenges to campus-based ministry from increasingly secular college administrations are a growing trend across the region. Those who fear political incorrectness are trying to silence Christian students. But God is at work, using North American students to reach others with the gospel, both in their own countries and beyond.

• South Asia

  South Asia is one of IFES' most diverse regions. It encompasses war-torn nations, a Buddhist kingdom, a closed dictator-led state, and nations gripped by Islam and Hinduism. Already struggling with much extreme poverty, the region's suffering is often exacerbated by natural disasters.

• South Pacific

  The South Pacific covers one third of the earth’s surface. Australia and New Zealand are highly developed countries (Australia has the world’s 12th largest economy) in contrast to the smaller islands where agriculture, fishing and tourism are the major industries. China is having an increasing economic impact on the region.