Last weekend at the Manchester Learning Communities, church leaders and student workers chatted about where students are leading and influencing. It was so exciting to hear about so many students influencing not only in church but all over the place!! Where are you influencing? 

The 7 Spheres (or mountains) was a vision given by God to Loren Cunningham (YWAM Founder), Bill Bright (Campus Crusade) and not long afterward, Dr. Francis Shaffer. This vision was for a church who would be influencers for Jesus in all parts of society. They had 7 spheres which they saw as crucial to culture. These mountains are the Family, Church, Education, Media, Celebration (Arts / Entertainment / Sports), Business, Government.

We love the idea of Christian students living for Jesus in each of these areas and so have come up with the 7 spheres, uni edition! Have a look at these and see where you are influencing, and how where you see other students influencing. 

1. Housemates, friendships
Family is the first key Mountain and uni offers a brilliant opportunity to live in community with your mates. 

Who are you doing family with? 

• Other Christians? In that case are you learning how to follow Jesus well together and making their home a hub of his presence? 
• With those who don’t know Jesus? Are you investing in those relationships? 

2. Church
It's now become far more common to see students leading in a church context, but how much are you actually influencing here? 

3. Studies
Work is part of our calling as Christians. God is a working God and we are to reflect that aspect of his character. Uni is an opportunity to learn and to develop our understanding of the world. How we study, how we lead others in their learning and how we work with educational departments in the university can be key opportunities for cultural transformation.

4. Campaigning
The sphere this area was provoked by is the Media - mass communication. Media shapes our culture, no questions about that. The messages we are sold by the media impact the way we view other people and the world. 
What culture shifts do you want to see in uni life and are you speaking up about them? 

5. Clubs and Societies
It's exciting to see this sphere getting more and more influence from Christian leaders. In the 7 Mountains this area is described by Loren Cunningham as ‘Celebration’ - Arts, Entertainment, Sports - the ways we celebrate life. Where do you spend your time outside of lectures? What clubs and societies have you joined?

6. The city
One of the SU's responsibilities is to try and get students to engage with their city.  Where can you bring transformation not just on your campus but in your town or city?

7. Students Union / University body
Again, this is a growing area of influence for the Church - more and more students are taking on positions in the Students Union or building relationship with them.  

You as students can change the face of uni campuses. You have the ability to culture shift and see real change in your town. What are you going to do about it? What change do you want to see? Who have you got cheering you on in this exciting challenge?