This blog is written by Lauren, a second year student at the University of Lincoln who goes to St Swithins Lincoln church. Here Lauren shares her story of what it has looked like for her to do mission at uni. Be encouraged and be inspired to loveyouruni by the experiences she has had.
Being a Christian at university is such an amazing experience, you just have this whole new group of people to get to know and go on a journey with. But I sometimes find myself overwhelmed by the number of people that don’t know Jesus.
I sometimes feel like all I ever hear about is evangelism and I can’t help thinking that it’s all very well and good for other people to be evangelists, but definitely not me. These are just classic moments where I trip over and start to think that it all has to be my own doing. That I have to know what to say, when to say it and who to say it to - but that’s not true, and that is the beauty of it!
I'm a 'talk with me' person
I took the Mission Style quiz and my style is ‘Talk with Me’, which means that I love to build relationships with people which then allows for deeper conversations to happen naturally and in a very trusting environment. I am especially passionate about doing this within my rugby team and have absolutely loved second year as I feel like I have become really integrated with that group of girls.
I know how intimidating it can be to read or hear stories about people who are seeing radical transformations at their university, I always come away thinking that’s amazing, it really is, but it would never happen to me.
But what if I told you that of the 5 rugby players who I have taken to church this year, I haven’t invited a single one?
By living life alongside these people and simply being there, being approachable and being open about my faith, I have been approached (very randomly!!) by 5 people about their desire to come to church and explore faith.
I constantly feel like I am not good enough, or equipped enough, but it is very clear to me that God has other ideas - He is in complete control of every conversation I have and every relationship I deepen.
In a society built upon the internet and social media, people are getting hungry for something real, something that isn’t posed and made to look glossy.
Our identity comes from Christ
As Christians, we can live in a way that shows people we are who we say we are, because our identity comes from Christ. I love 2 Corinthians 3:17 which says - “Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.”
If you truly believe you are free, people will start to notice, and that’s when God begins to move in their hearts. I have just been so encouraged recently to know that it is God who transforms people, not me! I will just continue to pray and love people and know that God is moving in a powerful way.
What's your story?
How has God used you to loveyouruni? We want to hear about it! Drop us an email with your loveyouruni story now.
