I’ve recently returned from Fusion’s annual student work conference. As a team, we gathered with 300 student leaders from all over the UK and Europe to worship, pray and share God stories from our cities and campuses.

This year’s theme was Uprising.

We were stirred to join in with the Uprising of faith, power and holiness rising in the hundreds of thousands of students across the continent.

A particular highlight was the final session. We all took off our shoes and placed them on the altar. A profound sense of togetherness and expectation came as we committed our lives to this Uprising across Europe.

I genuinely believe students starting University are more ready and willing to hear the gospel than ever. Not just ready to hear but to act, be transformed and change the environment around them in their halls, lecture theatres and sports teams. 

As student leaders, I dare you to believe students are not just consumers. I dare you to believe in your students more than ever so they stand on and continue to build the foundations you have laid in your Church community.

BE BRAVE

Offer your students responsibility so they are empowered to invest in what they are passionate about. When working towards something they care about, this generation are some of the most hard-working, wholehearted and ambitious people you will ever meet.

THERE IS AN UPRISING OF HOLINESS HAPPENING ON YOUR CAMPUS

This Uprising is happening within small groups, societies and nightclubs. Students are no longer following the trend they see around them but are inspired to buck the trend.

God’s grace is motivating students to reflect heaven and live lives of purity and beauty. A new normal is coming, one that will make heads turn and numbers will be added daily, just like the Acts 2 Church.

This uprising is an invisible one. It’s one where students are choosing to close their doors and pray rather than opening the door to sin and compromise. It’s one where students are no longer motivated by fitting in but thrive when living differently in response to their God. As leaders, let’s get behind this move of God that’s already happening and allow our expectations to go free.

FORGET THE THINGS OF THE PAST, THERE IS A NEW THING HAPPENING!

Ephesians 3:20 'Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.'