‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.’ Proverbs 27:17 was the verse of the day on Friday 21st, which felt fitting as students travelled from across the UK to gather for Fusion’s Student Evangelist Network weekend away.
Gen Z are open to spirituality. We’ve been experiencing it in the church and now even mainstream media is telling this story: Gen Z are half as likely to identify as atheists as their parents (The Times, 2025). The harvest is so plentiful right now, and while the workers may still be few, they are bold, fiery and faithful. These students are taking to their streets, campuses and halls to share Jesus with those they meet, and they’re experiencing some incredible responses.
In order to create opportunities for them to build relationships with other fiery ones, pray together, and share stories, we’re connecting students through our Student Evangelist Network. In the network, students are connected through a WhatsApp community, receive online input from experienced evangelists and have opportunities to gather in person. A couple of weekends ago we had the privilege of gathering in Tring to get to know each other, receive training, share testimonies, pray for each other and seek God together. We received teaching on Gen Z’s spiritual openness, revivals in the book of Judges and sowing seeds. One evening we dwelt in God’s presence, prayed and prophesied over one another, worshipped and shared testimonies, which overflowed until the early hours of the morning. We wrestled in prayer and in small group discussion. Throughout, God met with us intimately and powerfully.
For me, the highlight of the weekend was the relationships built. It felt almost supernaturally like we’d known each other for years as students from London to Aberdeen jumped straight into sharing stories of God’s grace and their experiences of mission. Faith and hunger were tangible throughout the weekend. Students rejoiced that even in the breaks everyone wanted to keep talking about Jesus.
Everyone was propelled out of the weekend commissioned, full of the Holy Spirit and inspired with creative ideas to reach their friends and campuses with the gospel. Even within the first day or two following the weekend, the WhatsApp was popping off with stories of those who’d been at the weekend stepping out with increased boldness and encouraging one another to do the same.
The Student Evangelist Network is open to all those at uni who are passionate about sharing Jesus with those around them. It exists to encourage students as they step out in faith and catalyse those around them to do so too. In all this, we want to support and equip students to share the gospel boldly rooted in their local church community. Together we are contending for a move of God across the UK.
If you’d like to be part of the network, or know anyone who would, find out more and sign up below.
The Student Evangelist Network
- Alice Bates, Student Mission Developer, Fusion Scotland Team
Alice moved to Glasgow in 2020 and quickly fell in love with the city and with Scotland. She has spent the past four years studying theology at the University of Glasgow and has loved the opportunities it’s brought to talk about Jesus with those around her. A key part of her role is helping churches reach students who don't yet know Jesus.
Every week of the academic year, we are sharing a story of student mission. If you have a story to share, let us know.
