Passing on a Passion

Rocio has a strong conviction about the Bible. And she loves passing it on to students. As a staff worker for CCUH, the IFES national movement in Honduras, she’s helping them see how Scripture illuminates their contemporary challenges and university context.

Earlier this year, at ‘The University: My Mission Field’ – a national training event for around 30 student leaders – Rocio and fellow staff worker Suany led a workshop on creative evangelism. Their purpose was clear:

“We wanted to remind students of the power of God’s Word in evangelism and how it guides us when we face all the issues being discussed in university hallways.”

A Relevant Word for Campus

Before the session, they’d surveyed students and discovered that common conversation topics on campus were sexuality, self-esteem, politics, creation care, and mental health. At the workshop, they worked through the six steps in the IFES resource Exploring the Word and the World. Rocio explains, “We reflected on how contemporary issues can become a gateway for people to encounter the Lord in the Scriptures.”

Students then picked one of the themes and prepared a creative way to share what they’d learned with non-Christians. But this was no academic exercise. As part of the training, one day was set aside for outreach on a local campus so that students could practise what they’d learned.

Natalia, a law student in Tegucigalpa, said:

“My perspective changed. I learned to identify the issues in my university community and to reach out according to that reality. I was also struck by the fact that we must be an adequate expression of what we’re preaching.”

A Relevant Life on Campus

The importance of both speaking and living the gospel was reinforced by daily Bible studies in Acts. Reflecting on what she’d learned, another law student Brizeli commented, “University is an opportunity to reflect God’s values in all my actions, decisions, and conversations – to be his witness, showing his love and sharing the hope of the gospel.”

Carlos, a computing student in Yoro, put it this way:

“It’s not just about offering the gospel. It’s about knowing it, living it, and making it a habit in every context, no matter how difficult it may seem. I realized that dwelling in God’s Word re–orders my priorities and strengthens my faith, my humility, and my love for others.”

It appears that Rocio’s conviction – “if we have a personal and communal commitment to Scripture, the gospel will inevitably permeate all our conversations at university” – has been successfully passed on to a new generation of student leaders in Honduras. Let’s pray for them as they see, share, and show the relevance of God’s Word.

Pray

Give thanks for the “changed perspectives” and “re-ordered priorities” among CCUH student leaders. Pray for Natalia, Brizeli, Carlos, and all who were inspired by the training – that their enthusiasm for the Word will fuel relevant outreach and authentic witness.

Pray for a delegation of CCUH student leaders who will further their training at “Firm, Connected, and Real”, a subregional IFES gathering in Mexico (21-31 July). Pray that the cross-cultural interactions, exchange of ideas, and biblical teaching will enrich their ministry.

Pray for CCUH’s retreat for graduates – “Bound in Love” (24-25 May). Ask that these young professionals will return strengthened in their witness and committed in their support for the movement.