Have you ever set off on a run without knowing where you are going? One student called Daniel* was running in Bristol a few months ago, totally unaware of where that run would take him - that it would change the trajectory of his life.

He ended up running past a local church with a few students giving out coffees to passers by. As he ran past - the student worker, Andy, called out to him and asked if he wanted a coffee. Though he wouldn’t usually stop his runs midway, he stopped for a quick coffee and a chat, asking why they were there, giving out coffees. Andy started talking about the church and a little about Jesus. If he wanted to know more, Andy told him he could come to something called an Alpha Course happening that evening. He gave him a flyer which he duly stuffed into his pocket before resuming his run.

That evening he came to Alpha to see what it was about. Andy came up to him at the end and asked him how he’d found it. 

“It was great!” Daniel replied, “See you next week.”

Daniel then came back every week, for the whole course, intrigued by the person of Jesus. One week, when someone at the front asked them if they’d like to choose to follow this Jesus and to receive him into their lives, he tentatively put his hand up to say yes.

A few weeks later, they were praying to receive the Holy Spirit, and Andy prayed for him.

“When you prayed, I felt so much lighter, so much freer!” he said. 

“That’s the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart,” Andy explained.

Daniel then joined a small group and started asking more questions. 

“I’ve read John’s gospel… what next?” he asked.

After the Alpha course had finished, he said to Andy, “I’ve got no idea why I stopped to talk to you that day. I never stop my runs, and I don’t even like coffee!”

God is drawing students to himself in surprising ways all over the country. They are increasingly hungry and ready to hear about Jesus. All we have to do is to invite them, to call out to them as they run past us. How are you calling out to students in your context and inviting them to hear about 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.

*Name changed to protect identity.