Thriving with gospel hope
IMPACT REPORT 2024-25
ORDINARY STUDENTS, EXTRAORDINARY HOPE
2 Corinthians 4:7-10“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed… We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed.”
Dear friends,
I recently visited a communist country in Asia where Christians have faced persecution for decades. One afternoon, I met elderly “Esther” (not her real name). She pioneered student ministry through times when many believers were detained or forced to flee.
Esther and others found innovative ways to translate, print, and distribute devotional and teaching materials. Their faithful “sowing” has yielded a harvest in recent years: across the country, thousands of students now live for Jesus!
The energy, hope, and determination of these sisters and brothers is remarkable – past and present (it’s still illegal to run Christian activities anywhere beyond a church).
Yet, they are ordinary Christians – like you and me – used by God in extraordinary ways – “jars of clay” with God’s “all- surpassing power”.
This is what I see in IFES around the world: the gospel transforming ordinary students so that they can have an extraordinary impact on the university, the church, and society.
It was the same when Jesus first chose and invested in his disciples. Ordinary people were changed, forgiven, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. They became a movement of hope that’s still changing lives today.
This is what I see in IFES around the world: the gospel transforming ordinary students so that they can have an extraordinary impact on the university, the church, and society.
That’s true even in – especially in – the many “hard-pressed” places.
So, please don’t simply read what follows as the annual report of an organisation. I invite you to pore over it as a testimony to how God has been working through ordinary people like us – students, staff, and supporters.
Indeed, it’s with deep thanks that I want to acknowledge the part you’ve played.
Join me in celebrating how the all-surpassing ministry of Jesus continues today as – together – we share his good news and nurture thriving, hope-filled student ministries in universities all over the world.
Yours in Christ,
Tim Adams,
IFES General Secretary
A LEGACY OF HOPE
In September, we were deeply saddened by the death of Daniel Bourdanné, who faithfully served as IFES General Secretary 2007-2019. Daniel knew what it was to thrive in gospel hope through deep challenges – as a teenager, war forced him to flee his home in Chad. Yet, Daniel went on to revive student ministry in Togo, engage academia in Côte d’Ivoire, and steer IFES ministry across Francophone Africa and then the world.
Daniel was one of the first from Francophone Africa to lead a global, multilingual organisation. Given that Chad was one of the world’s poorest countries at the time, that’s testimony to the grace and goodness of God.
Read our tribute:
A HOPE-FILLED VISION
Locally, nationally, and globally, our vision remains clear:
Students thriving together as communities of disciples, transformed by the gospel and impacting the university, the church and society for the glory of Christ.
We continue to connect and nurture locally-led student movements in over 180 different countries and territories. And we’re committed to seeing a student witness established in every university in the world. Four Thriving Together priorities currently shape ministry across the fellowship: thriving in witness, thriving in whole-life commitment, thriving on new ground, and thriving into the future (pages 5-12). Standing on our foundational beliefs, we are a fellowship of students, staff, and supporters who are thriving together in hope, thankful for God’s gracious and glorious work in the world’s universities – and beyond.
THRIVING IN WITNESS
University students are at a pivotal point in their lives. In their search for meaning, purpose, and authenticity, it’s vital that they hear about the hope of Christ – and see it expressed through his followers.
Thanks to your support, IFES fellowship and training are encouraging and equipping students to declare and demonstrate the gospel.
ACTS 1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
VOICING HOPE IN EAST ASIA
Titus* knows the pressures of following Christ in a sensitive country – he grew up as a pastor’s son under a communist regime in East Asia. In the country where he lives, public evangelism is still forbidden. Yet, over the last 20 years, under his leadership, he’s seen a student movement of around 100 students grow to over 5,000. Titus participated in the IFES Global Leadership Initiative and is now part of the regional team. In July 2024, he led inspirational Bible talks at the East Asia regional conference. The theme, Voice Matters, called students to bear witness, love others, serve society, and be a voice that leads others to find truth and hope in Christ. 500+ students and staff from 17 national movements left better equipped to voice God’s heart for their campuses. Titus says,
* name changed to protect identity.
TitusWhen I see the challenges we face, my heart wrestles with fear, pain, and brokenness. But the Lord also shows me signs of hope, mixed with sparkling joy, through those who faithfully and sacrificially serve in the ministry.
REACHING THE NATIONS IN GEORGIA
In Kutaisi, Georgia, what started as three Indian students reading the Bible with a staff worker turned into a group of more than 20 eating and studying Mark’s Gospel together.
Some of the Christian students have now been trained to lead evangelistic Bible studies. One of them joined an IFES evangelism conference in Greece last year and returned with fresh enthusiasm and ideas.
GLOBAL PRAYER STRENGTHENING LOCAL WITNESS
On World Student Day, over 34,600 students, staff, and supporters in 140 countries and territories united in prayer. One group in IFES Nederland had asked to intercede for their group to grow and for wisdom to help those struggling with mental health. Later, they wrote:
World Student Day was so valuable for us! We’ve been blessed with wonderful new members and have seen God addressing some of the mental health challenges. His solutions and guidance have come in unexpected ways.
Read more about how students proclaimed faith in 2024 this Conexión blog.
THRIVING IN WHOLE- LIFE COMMITMENT
Students will influence the world – in government, business, academia, church, and local communities. So, it’s imperative that those who follow Christ grow in their commitment to him in every aspect of life.
Through your support for IFES training and mentoring, holistic faith is deepening in students, graduates, and staff – as they lead and serve well and stand for truth, justice, and peace.
PHILIPPIANS 1:27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
BRINGING HOPE TO THE BROKENHEARTED
Sarah has been using her studies and faith to help students process the trauma of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through the IFES Logos and Cosmos Initiative (LCI), she’s designed and implemented a project that integrated psychology, sociology, and theology in order to help victims take steps towards healing and hope.
Last year, she organised a conference where 15 students courageously broke their silence and described their traumatic experiences:
Moments of deep silence were followed by floods of tears and cries of pain. We witnessed liberation from hatred, anger, and resentment.
Last year, 52 catalysts ran 28 projects in 24 countries across Francophone Africa and Latin America, tackling issues such as environmental degradation, corruption, racism, poverty, conflict, and mental health.
Watch this video to discover more about the LCI.
PURSUING GOOD CHOICES – TOGETHER
In July, the IFES regional team facilitated a camp for 57 high school and university students from GBU Martinique, CIG French Guiana, and CIA Guadeloupe. Given the Caribbean’s geography, it was a rare chance to meet in person.
The theme – Resist or succumb? The choice is yours – addressed common pressures related to drugs, sex, alcohol, and social trends. By engaging with biblical texts, students considered how to make God-honouring choices in all of life.
TACKLING BIG ISSUES WITH GRADUATES
Last year, Graduate Impact relaunched its Bible & Culture summer program, enabling participants from across Europe to learn how God’s Word speaks with clarity and relevance to the big issues of our time.
The redesigned program, run in collaboration with Regent College, Canada, made it easier for busy professionals to join week-long courses on topics such as ‘art and incarnation’, ‘political engagement’, and ‘gospel, church, and culture’.
THRIVING ON NEW GROUND
“A faithful witness to Christ in every university in the world.”
The founding vision of IFES continues to guide and inspire our ministry. Thanks to your partnership, students, small groups, and staff teams are being empowered to reach countries, territories, and campuses where Christian students are isolated and non-Christian students are unreached.
JOHN 4:35Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
GROWING HOPE IN MENA
Karim’s* story is typical of many who turn to Christ in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): following Jesus is costly. At 16, he was rejected by his family. He couldn’t join one of the few existing church communities because they’d be persecuted for having a ‘convert’ from a Muslim background.
Nevertheless, along with friends who also turned to Christ, he’s now pioneering ministry among half a dozen students and graduates in his city. Two IFES regional team members have been coaching them online. In March, they travelled to a 3-day training session which covered foundational topics like the reliability of the Bible, guidance on small group Bible studies, and the characteristics of a leader.
I cannot thank you enough! You gave us hope. You showed us that we are not alone or abandoned, that we are a part of one big family. In God’s name we will carry the word of God to our city and into the whole world.
Despite disruptive and deadly conflicts in the region, a further 60 graduates from 10+ countries were able to attend an IFES gathering in October. They explored biblical hope in Habakkuk, wrestling with what it means to remain “joyful in the Lord.”
* name changed to protect identity.
Read Karim’s story and pray for the MENA region.
DEEPENING ROOTS ON NEW GROUND
After years of pioneering ministry and nurturing a national board, it was a delight for the EPSA regional team to witness the official launch of GBU Cabo Verde in January.
The team also continues to plant and oversee the growth of new groups in Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe, where legal registration of the movement is underway.
Watch Tim Adams’ vlog from Cape Verde:
Read about Breaking New Ground in this Conexión blog:
REACHING OUT IN PANAMA
Through an IFES Thriving Together grant, a volunteer staff worker in CEC Panama was able to regularly visit Colón and link up with three students.
Together, they ran outreach at the university and participated in a health fair. Overall, 30 students signed up for CEC activities and were subsequently invited to a weekly Bible study.
We talked for a while with some girls. We asked if we could pray for anything. One of them shared that she’d recently had an abortion but hadn’t told anyone else about it. It was a privilege to pray for her.
THRIVING INTO THE FUTURE
To carry our calling into the next generation of students, IFES is promoting a healthy network of sustainable movements, marked by Christian integrity and accountability. Your support enables national staff and board members to receive strategic training and guidance through e-learning, networks, in-person visits, and mentoring relationships.
PROVERBS 24:3By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.
CONSOLIDATING HOPE IN SOUTH ASIA
One day, when Budhi*, lead staff worker in a South Asian country, responded to a knock at the door, he was arrested and taken in for questioning. While Christianity is officially tolerated in his country, the reality is that many face persecution or discrimination.
Yet God has been at work: over the last 15 years, many students have found hope in Christ. Budhi tells of a young man, a renowned drinker and brawler, who was turned around by the love he received from the fellowship group.
It’s opened my eyes and heart, broadening my horizons, restoring me like a broken jar that gets filled with precious gold. This will greatly contribute to what we do as a student movement.
Recognising the pressures of such hard yet hopeful contexts across the region, the IFES South Asia team has been building staff resilience – Budhi is one of 40 young, highly motivated leaders who are being nurtured through aspecial development program.
*Name changed to protect identity.
Find out more about the movement and their steps towards becoming an affiliate IFES member.
FOSTERING GLOBAL COMMUNITY
A mix of national movement and IFES staff – 22 participants from all 11 IFES regions – concluded their 18-month participation in the Global Leadership Initiative this year. They explored character, calling, and skills through monthly online mentoring sessions
and three in-person meetings. Sara, an Intervarsity/USA staff member, reflected:
I developed what I hope will be life-long friendships with global leaders, a stronger appreciation of what it means to be IFES, and skills to navigate diverse spaces with what I pray will be greater humility and sensitivity.
Ministry discussions included:
the wellbeing and training of staff, relationships with the board of directors, financial management, and interactions with universities. Since the consultation, IFES staff have noted that communication in the region has improved, staff are more motivated, and collaboration is more straightforward.
EMPOWERING STAFF AND BOARDS
Participation in an e-learning course from IFES Indigenous Support Development empowered a TSCF Papua New Guinea staff worker to write her first newsletter.
Her church and partners were so inspired by what she shared that they contributed financially to TSCF.
Learn more about empowering South Pacific staff in this Prayerline.
SERVING IN LEADERSHIP
Your support is ultimately stewarded by a diverse, experienced, and servant-hearted leadership team and board. With support from four others, the General Secretary oversees IFES ministry. Together they take responsibility for developing and sharing priorities and resources across the globe. The Board is responsible for creating policy and ensuring doctrinal integrity within IFES.
Tim Adams – UK
GENERAL SECRETARY
Annette Arulrajah – Malaysia
ASSOCIATE GENERAL SECRETARY
David Bahena - Mexico
ASSOCIATE GENERAL SECRETARY
George Ogalo – Kenya
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Olena Welch - Ukraine
HEAD OF GLOBAL RESOURCE MINISTRIES
Regional Leadership
Our 11 regional leaders are best-placed to listen to needs in context – enabling IFES to minister across diverse cultures and dynamic university settings. They connect movements within their region and foster the exchange of ideas, expertise, and collaboration. They also mentor, supervise, and train staff and students.
Global Resource Ministries
IFES has several initiatives that support student ministry globally and regionally. From fostering international student ministry to strengthening local movement leadership and supporting efforts to launch new campus groups, we have seen lives transformed and communities strengthened for faithful and enduring witness to Christ.
Board of Trustees
FINANCIALS
YOUR GIFTS SPREAD HOPE
We again give thanks for how God has worked through you to supply financial resources for the fellowship at all levels – whether locally, nationally, regionally, or globally. As a result, we closed the year with our balance sheet total and cash reserves in a good position.
It was heartening to receive your gifts of over $50,000 USD for pioneering projects on Global Giving Day 2024 – funds that are being used to bring hope in places where no IFES group or movement yet exists.
In 2024, we saw a small, expected decrease in charitable donations and charitable expenditure following last year’s increases to fund World Assembly. In 2023 we received significant legacy income that was atypical.
This financial report reflects our combined operations based on the audited financial statements for IFES-UK and IFES/USA, as well as the independently examined financial statements for IFES-Switzerland. The financial statements for IFES entities – based in the UK, USA, and Switzerland – are available upon request.
These seals demonstrate external assessments of our excellence in stewarding your gifts, based on strong fiscal management and program stability, and our full compliance to charity regulations.
THANK YOU!
We thank God for your desire to see all students know and experience the hope of the gospel.
Whether you prayed, volunteered, or donated in 2024, we gratefully acknowledge your part in enabling students to encounter Christ. On behalf of all who have benefitted,
WE OFFER YOU A HEARTFELT THANK YOU!
You helped Angel grow as a young leader.
Last year, together we supported IFES Caribbean’s fundraising efforts for the inaugural CARIFES Academy. Student leaders and staff from 13 movements participated in a blend of online sessions, mentoring, and a conference. The gathering included team- building activities and discussions about servant leadership, collaboration, and accountability. Angel, a student leader in ISCF Barbados, remarked:
I was quite shocked to realise that I was made for a time such as this, that God knew I was needed for this season. I’ve gained confidence in God – that he has placed me here for the purpose of serving others.
You helped students in Kosovo hear about Jesus.
In April 2024, supporters like you united with staff and students on Global Giving Day to help IFES go further ‘into all the world’ to plant new groups and movements. Since then, funds have mobilised fresh ministry across the fellowship – like in Kosovo, where pioneer staff Blendona led a summer camp for about 20 students. She reported:
It was very encouraging! Afterwards, I received a message from a Muslim-background student saying how much she’d enjoyed it. She was struck by the singing and prayers in Albanian as she’d only ever spoken to God in Arabic.
PRAY
Prayer is essential to all our work. So, please keep partnering with us through the ministry of prayer. Fuel your intercessions at ifesworld.org/pray by downloading our Daily Prayer Guide, signing up for our bi-weekly Prayerline, and participating in World Student Day.
CONNECT
Discover more about IFES and ways to engage at ifesworld.org/connect-engage. For up-to-the-minute news and helpful updates, follow us on our WhatsApp channel. For stimulating content, subscribe to our YouTube channel and Voices of IFES podcasts. And you can direct any specific inquiries to hello@ifesworld.org.
GIVE
Gifts sustain this ministry. With continued support from generous partners like you, the kind of impact reported here can be multiplied. Regular gifts are especially helpful – they enable us to plan well for the future. You can set up or increase your monthly gift and find out about making a planned gift or leaving a gift in your will at ifesworld.org/give.