Peru: Reaching New Heights Together

“One of my friends said to me, ‘Edison, do you want to find out about the CBU?’. I said, ‘What’s that?’. 

“So he took me to a meeting where there were five students from different degree programs, all of whom were in love with the Lord. And I came to know the Lord at the CBU.” 

This is what happens when a national movement has the vision to pioneer new groups. When it mobilises students to reach their campus. When its global family offers practical support. When thousands pray across the world. 

This is what happened high in the mountains of Peru. 

The National University of Huancavelica (UNH) is nestled in the Andes, in a relatively remote area that’s economically poor yet culturally rich, where many people speak Quechua alongside Spanish. 

AGEUP, the IFES movement in Peru, hadn’t had any outreach there for almost a decade. Then, in 2021, a renewed push for pioneering produced some leads.  

Contact was virtual at first, but the plan was clear: find a handful of interested students, share with them the need for campus ministry, support them in outreach, train them as leaders, and help them grow a local CBU (“University Bible Community”). 

With support from the IFES Breaking New Ground team and a Thriving Together grant, the vision was soon realised – and students like Edison were drawn into it.  

Like Edison, Melisa was brought to the group by a student:  

“I joined the CBU in 2023 through a fellow student from my faculty. It turned out to be a great blessing in my life. I’m from out of town and I was going through a period of depression and anxiety. They welcomed me with so much love and took me to a church, and I was able to carry on with my life with Jesus.”   

Another group member, Isaac, has also been blessed:  

“It’s strengthened me in my degree and studies. The environment that many young people find themselves in can affect their decisions in life. So it’s much better to have friends who lead you to God, who can help you seek him more.” 

Aida Banyuls from the Breaking New Ground team, reflects: 

“Their story is a beautiful example of how the Lord can help students begin a community in which they grow together, develop gifts, and engage in relevant outreach.” 

In 2025, CBU UNH became an official member group of AGEUP. 

And you too may have played a part in this story. If you used World Student Day Prayer Cards in 2024, you would have prayed for a request from Robin: “pray for the pioneer groups in the universities of Lima, Chimbote, and Huancavelica.” 

“Robin” is Robin Rodriguez, National Director of AGEUP Peru, who has championed this pioneering work from the beginning. He testifies:  

“We have been constant witnesses of God’s goodness and are deeply grateful for all those who’ve supported us.” 

Meet Edison, Melisa, and Isaac in this short video. 

(It’s in Spanish but you can get auto-generated subtitles in your preferred language from the playback settings button.)