Fostering Relationships

In my last update, I mentioned our engagement and response to the university unions Shag Week. Here is what happened.

In total we had around 25 attend our Healthy Relationships seminar. Many were from our own fellowship but it was great to see everyone come together like this, which we haven't seen in a while. A few of the students invited their friends along, 2 being unbelievers. We were also encouraged by the TUSA Northern President coming to support the event who was impressed by us having the most engagement out of everything else that was happening that week.

Those who attended were encouraged to think about all the different types of relationships they have and were given strategies on how to prevent and address potential difficulties that may come up. I finished the night by connecting the subject to the gospel, revealing that Jesus teaches much about how to love one another and that he also demonstrates the perfect example of this by humbling himself to die on the cross for humanity's sins.

Overall I think it was good to give something like this a go again. In fact, it was the first public talk Uni Fellowship has put on since our last Bible in the Bar in 2022. However, it was a lot of work to put on, for what felt like not much payoff, but perhaps that's what is needed now to help students feel like being part of something bigger and encouraging them in evangelism through personal invitations.

Unfortunately from what I have heard, TUSA believes Shag Week was a success and intends to grow this event each semester, using student amenities fees to do so. I have encouraged some of the students to submit complaints to bring attention to the harm this kind of thing can cause.

If you would like to watch our Healthy Relationships event yourself, the recording is below via YouTube.

Healthy Relationships Seminar

Talk 1: Why relationships are so hard?

Talk 2: Fostering Healthy Relationships

Talk 3: A perfect example of love

With what may be the highs of this event, I can't say it's been easy in other aspects of the ministry. As is normally the case in semester 2, it's been a struggle keeping people connected over the break. Normally our MYC would seal the deal for most first-years in this but also gets everyone excited to do more together over the last half of the year. Because only a few got to NTE in Hobart this year, that effect didn't really occur and may be a contributing factor to the additional challenge.

This semester a change was made to leverage the engagement of well-attended Bible Groups to run an additional hour after each group for evangelism training. This would replace Monday Muster where that kind of thing would normally happen.

New Gospel Training Hour

Unfortunately, the additional hour of Gospel Training didn't take off. Many weren't able to commit to the additional time but we have also had lower attendance at Bible Groups too. This does become a discouragement for myself and the students. It is also tiring needing to reinvent new ways to generate engagement while being aware of the many distractions and other priorities young adults have these days.

Thankfully I still find encouragement from what God is doing in the one-to-one meetings I have with unbelievers. The international student I started meeting with alongside another student has come to the point of acknowledging Jesus as Saviour but still weighing up the cost of submitting to Jesus as Lord. I've even recently started meeting online with my younger cousin who is currently investigating Christianity after a challenging life event.

The book of Philippians which Bible Groups have been reading has been a helpful reminder to continue even among difficulties because of the joy found in knowing Christ and seeing his gospel proclaimed.

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.(Philippians 1:25-26)

Also in other news, I've been accepted into Moore College for 2025! The orientation for the semester starts at the start of February so I'll be planning to move to Sydney during January. I'm looking forward to this next season of life, studying the Word, and fostering new friendships in another context.