Why Do We Exist?

Vision

We’re passionate about giving every student at the University of York the opportunity to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus.

An on-campus mission arm of the local church, we are committed to joining in God’s plan of growing “oaks of righteousness, which the Lord has planted for his own splendour (Isaiah 61:3). We are discipled by churches across the city, being empowered to build relationships with the lost, proclaiming that the blind will see and the captives will be freed (Isaiah 61:1-2). It is for this purpose that we unite together as students across campus.

Strategy

We want to meet people where they’re at, so Christ can give them what they need – life in all its fullness (John 10:10). We long to share the Gospel with students, and do so through building relationships with them in a variety of contexts:

Serve events

All 7 undergraduate colleges host regular serve events. Toasties, midnight munchies, tea and toast … they may differ in format but are united in approach – to make the Gospel accessible to as many people as possible, generating a relaxed, inclusive environment through free food and conversations.

International CU

We love international students! Theming our meals from different nationalities each week, at our Friday night cafes we host a short talk about Jesus, triggering discussions and building friendships. We run a “language link” scheme, where we informally connect up international students with members of the CU.

Explore

“Explore”, “Insight”, “Big Questions” … each college runs one of these informal discussion groups each week. Geared round the questions and curiosity of the people that come along, it could be an informal chat, an alpha course or something completely different!

Apologetics

It’s crucial to engage with students whose view of Christianity is hampered by academic and philosophical barriers. From a place of demonstrating that the Bible stands up to scrutiny, we want to shower Christ’s love on them and point them towards a rich, saving relationship with God.

Proclamation

Acoustic nights, Easter Café, drama productions, individual conversations … the Gospel message is proclaimed in all these different ways! Furthermore, we give people the opportunity to hear the message of the cross directly through Gospel talks and testimony nights. We need to communicate through both actions and words the abundance of God’s love!

Far from limiting God to an agenda or formula, our prayer is that He will take our acts of obedience and do “immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-1).

Contact Us

Please get in touch if you’d like to find out more or have any questions!

Evangelism Secretary: Benedict Sutton - evangelism@uycu.org.uk

College Evangelism Co-ordinators

  • Emily Saunders - Alcuin
  • Misha Battle - Derwent
  • Naomi Cartmell - Goodricke
  • Emily Finch - Halifax
  • Esther Parker - James
  • Tess Margetts - Langwith
  • Jenny Desborough - Vanbrugh