From No Hopes to New Horizons

Jasmine* arrived feeling numb. She expected nothing from the IFES conference – it was her pastor who’d insisted she attend. But Jesus was waiting for her.

When Jasmine heard God speak at that IFES Eurasia event two and a half years ago, her life was changed. Today, she’s sharing her faith and pioneering student ministry in her sensitive Central Asian country. With a handful of others, could this be the start of an IFES movement?

Revived and Redirected

“My life was full of sin and mistakes – I was far away from God”.

Jasmine was a Christian in her Muslim-majority context, but she was struggling. She “couldn’t stand” her unbelieving father and described herself as “very selfish”. Nevertheless, she gave in to her pastor’s appeals to attend a weeklong discipleship camp run by an IFES missions team.

“God rekindled my faith there. Today, my relationship with my dad is good and I think a lot about my responsibilities and other people”.

The following year, Jasmine was eager to return – and she wasn’t disappointed:

“God spoke anew into my life. It was a message that I believe will direct my entire future. Jesus gave me a calling to mission”.

As soon as Jasmine returned after the summer break, she gathered 15 students. Through the whole academic year, she met regularly with them.

“This year, I’m dreaming of impacting an even larger group with the gospel”.

She’s already planning an outreach weekend in her city in April.

Facing Repression and Resistance

But living an active faith in her country is risky – meetings must go undetected. Jasmine reports that lecturers sometimes collect students’ mobile phones to check for Christian content. If any is found, the “offenders” may receive poor grades or even be expelled from university.

“One of these checks happened in the class of a Christian student in our group. She had a Bible app and many chats with other Christian students in her phone. She was alarmed and immediately prayed. Then, as they were gathering all the phones, they “forgot” to take hers! The Lord obviously intervened.”

In addition to facing repression from authorities, student ministry may also be resisted by the church. The enthusiasm of Jasmine’s pastor is uncommon. Many church leaders are suspicious of parachurch organisations because there is little precedent for them in Eurasia.

Despite these challenges, three Bible study groups now exist – Jasmine’s and two others in different cities. In November, a weekend conference brought 45 such students together. Jasmine says,

“These are small beginnings. Please pray that God will raise a strong student movement in our country.”

Pray

Thank God for Jasmine*, for her changed life and willing response. Give thanks for the way God has used IFES summer teams to form a fledgling network of student ministry. Praise him for the students’ growth and resilience amid repression and suspicion.

Pray that God will protect these young leaders and give them wisdom about how to meet and share their faith. Pray especially for the outreach Jasmine is planning for April.

Ask God to guide steps towards forming a board and appointing a first staff worker. Pray that more churches will see and understand this ministry’s impact on campus, church, and society. And ask that plans for a ministry exchange with a neighbouring IFES movement will be realised and further strengthen these “small beginnings”.

*name changed to protect identity.