1st August 1999
Dear friend,
I have asked Andrew De Jonge if I could send this letter to you endorsing his ministry with Student Life. My name is Stuart Harrison and I am the Campus Co-ordinator for the ministry at Sydney University. Please allow me a few minutes of your time.
Andrew has been accepted as a full-time staff worker for Student Life on the Sydney University campus. He brings the experience of 4 years of remarkable involvement as a student, and 1 year of full-time ministry on a campus in the Middle East. We are looking forward to his commencement full-time with us as soon as possible.
Andrew completed his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in 1997. During his days as a student he became involved with the ministry of Student Life, in particular taking creative initiatives to reach out to lost students. He attended the Muslim Society for 2 years, even winning the right to present the gospel at one of their own meetings. He also pioneered ‘worldview forums’ where different political and religious groups on campus were able to present and discuss one another’s ideas. The gospel was proclaimed clearly at each one of these events. As President of the Student Life club for 2 years, he was a motivational leader, influencing many to greater godliness and boldness with the gospel.
Following his studies, Andrew worked with Student Life in the Middle East for one year, preaching the gospel to Muslim university students. His knowledge of Islamic apologetics surpassed most of the full-time missionaries, and he often spent time defending Christianity before Muslims on the internet. Andrew coordinated the ministry of several short term mission projects during the year and for 2 months he and one other young American oversaw the entire Student Life ministry in the city.
These experiences make Andrew a great asset to the ministry at Sydney University. He exhibits maturity beyond his years and has a heart that seeks to obey God. I have seen in him a focussed approach to life and ministry, and have seen the effect this has on those with whom he works. Being only 3 or 4 years older than the students, his impact as a role model is dynamic.
Currently Andrew is raising his ministry partnership team for ministry with Student Life. The worldwide policy of Student Life, is for each worker to develop their own team, which includes both prayer and financial supporters. This fosters an intimate sense of teamwork and minimises organisational overheads. Andrew will not be able to commence work at Sydney University until he has the finances to ensure a satisfactory regular income.
Would you please consider supporting Andrew in this ministry on a regular basis? I believe that investing money in the work of the gospel through Andrew will have an impact on Australia and the world.
Yours sincerely,