March 1999 Issue 1, 1999
Hello everyone!
I have been back for a while now and I’ve noticed several disturbing new (old?) fashions have crept in while I was away. I mean really, who ever thought up peddle-pushers and cargo pants? Can fashions really change that drastically within the span of just one year? But seriously, with the exception of a few major changes in the Aussie way of life that I have noticed, my cultural re-adjustment has gone quite smoothly. They re-named Glebe Island bridge while I was away!! Arg! Who/what is South Park? Is Dawson’s Creek a place or a TV show? Who me stressed? Never!
But my time has not been quiet; after a brief respite I have begun my new position at Sydney University where I will be working this year alongside Ros Eaves and Stuart Harrison – both Middle-East veterans like myself. On top of that, at the same time I am trying to catch up with each of you personally.
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNIVERSITIES
Yes, that’s right – I’m working at another university now. Student Life (part of Campus Crusade for Christ International) is an organization that deals primarily with university campuses. CCCI has branched out into different areas over the years but continues to see the strategic importance of primarily targeting universities. "Why?" you may well ask.
Universities train people who will be the leaders of tomorrow’s society. All our politicians went to universities, most of our media personalities every influential industrial leader. What better place to find and witness to these people who will form society in the next century than at these training grounds themselves?
Upon entering university, students are trying to determine their own identities. The belief systems and value systems they carry throughout the rest of their professional lives are more often than not challenged and determined during these formative years. Christians are not the only ones to notice this phenomena; Socialist/Marxist, the gay lobby, feminist, Labor and Liberal parties all have a large presence on campuses across Australia.
80% of Christian university students lose their faith while at Uni. Without a solid founding in their faith and imparting of good habits like evangelism and holy living, we are losing a most important segment of society every year.
I am convinced this year will be a very valuable investment of my time and resources and likewise encourage you to be a part of the ministry at Sydney University this year.
THE YEAR SO FAR…
The last week of February is know as Orientation Week, a time where students come to complete their enrolments and explore the plethora of interest groups available at Uni. Orientation Week (the first week) is the most important part of the year for recruiting new students and doing evangelism. This year Sydney University Student Life also branched out into the Nursing faculty located about fifteen minutes walk off main campus.
On Main Campus, during Orientation we utilised a rather simple but highly effective idea called the "Chupa Chup Challenge". Students were invited to fill out a short questionnaire in return for a free Chupa Chup. The questionnaire probed their spiritual interest and had options to join a bible study group or to participate in "a six week no-hassles course looking at who Jesus Christ is" (the Christianity Explained course).
The response in Nursing was even more positive. Of 99 people approached, 49 were interested in either finding out more about Jesus or in joining a bible study group. One graduate from Nursing is helping out with the ministry in his faculty while waiting for a placement that begins in May. Also helping out is a part-time volunteer from SMBC (Sydney Missionary Bible College Croydon).
YWAM (Youth With A Mission) had several groups from their Discipleship Training School over from Perth touring Sydney for a month of outreach. I met some of them at my church and was able to organise them to help us out for a few days at campus. YWAM performed some rather impacting dramas at an open-air meeting we held.
Well, I’m glad you asked! Actually the work I do here is not that dissimilar to what I was doing back in the Middle-East; consisting of Evangelism, discipleship and strategizing.
1. Evangelism
I am constantly trying to extend my social networks, meeting new people and sharing the gospel with them. Last week I had a very valuable conversation with a Peruvian named Renzo. Coming from a Catholic background he considered himself a Christian but had no clear concept of why Jesus died on the cross. I was able to bring him to a point of understanding that if he put his faith in Jesus, God would accept him, an idea which greatly excited Renzo.
Generally, non-Christians interested in Jesus we run through a ‘Christianity Explained’ course (put together by Scripture Union). The ‘C.E.’ course works through the gospel of Mark pointing out the main claims and actions of Jesus and giving them a chance to make a decision for Jesus at the end. In the past we have found that half of the participants who finish the course choose to accept Jesus. Currently there are about 15 C.E.s underway.
2. Discipleship
Christian students need to be founded well in their faith as University is a time when many students have everything they believe challenged. ‘Xplo groups’ is the name given to our bible studies, to denote the concept of studying the bible and applying this truth by then eXPLOding into action. Teaching students how to live as Christian witnesses today is important.
3. Strategizing
What leads so many students to conclude Christianity holds no relevance for today? People’s lives can be extremely complicated these days, leading them to think there is no time to bother with God. How can we show them that God is exactly what they need to be able to find some direction and focus for their lives? Formulating approaches to deal with these issues is also a big part of our job.
THE CHALLENGE FOR THIS YEAR
Hopefully I have been successful in showing you the potential I see for this year of ministry. I am aware that some of you were able only to commit to supporting me during my time in the Middle East, and so while I hope to excite you with what God can do this year through us, I would like to give you the opportunity to make that decision now. Otherwise, if you have not been a financial supporter of mine in the past, perhaps you are interested in joining up with us.
My view is that what I am doing is bringing together a team. Hopefully we can both agree on the importance, or may I even say the necessity, of campus ministry. However it is impossible for me to be working full-time on campus by myself due to the costs involved both in ministry and keeping myself breathing day-in day-out. For others it can be impossible to find the time or opportunities to be involved in ministry in such a capacity themselves. But together, as a team – this vision can become a reality.
By some people faithfully praying for the students I minister to, and others also contributing monthly to the costs involved, it is possible to maintain campus workers like myself. Would you be interested in such an opportunity?
Update on my personal details:
Andrew de Jonge
16 Short St, Summer Hill, 2130
02-9716 7710
Prayer/Praise points
[Cut out and insert in day planner]
Praise: