Why I love AUT CF (and the other students I work with)

Elliot, Nancy (AUT CF leaders) and Me

AUT Christian Fellowship began last February. There have been student groups at AUT in the past, but not the recent past. I have the happy task of working alongside them, supporting them and encouraging them - truth is though, I feel more supported and encouraged in working with them: I LOVE AUT CF

Here's why:

1. We study God's Word and learn from it together.

Semester 1 we studied John's Gospel, and this semsester we've just started reading Colossians. This week's study looked at Colossians 1.1-14 - the hope of heaven being a sign of genuine faith and the basis of real transformation in the lives of believers. I REJOICED sat reading God's Word with this group of believers - the joy of knowing God in Christ Jesus, is ampliphied as it is shared and rooted in His Word.

2. We talk about the trials and triumphs of study together.

In the group there are regularly two Fashion Design students, two Graphic Design students, three communications students, an engineer, a Art/Architecture student, a Fine Artist, a Hospitality management and two business students. In the last couple of weeks we've discussed how to sow knitwear knickers and the ethics of life drawing, engaged with principles of communication and aesthetics, laughed together at the absurdity of some topics, prayed about disappointments in work and thought about the value of study in preparing these guys for life in the longterm and how study in itself is an act of worship.

3. We drink coffee together.

After the Tuesday meeting there is an exodus down to 'Beanz', the hospitality school coffee shop. It is great - the staff are friendly and we get to sit in the sun, drink good coffee, chat easily about faith and study, relax as friends and meet coursemates and friends of CF members as they wander past. This is as much a part of group life and growth as the time in Bible study. This time has yet to pay big 'dividends' in evangelistic conversations but we are laying the groundwork - and coffee is always a good thing!

4. We are all at different stages of faith and growth.

Some of the group are from Christian families, some are not - some have been Christians for AGES and some are new to faith. We share this in common: a passion for Jesus and a passion for AUT. Even I, not an AUT student, LOVE AUT - it is a great campus and I see great potential for impacting it with the truth about Jesus. Everyone is growing and that, in itself, is like food and drink to me - really satisfying (even better than the best coffee!).

That's just four reasons - there are loads more, but I wanted to share some of the joy, working in THIS work, at THIS time is a GREAT JOY...

AUT CF

Loving God

Following Jesus

Living it out at AUT!

for the time being...

Mary (recent Relay Worker), James (TSCF Web Staff Worker), Ben (UCCF Staff Worker), Ben & Joy (Cardiff CU) and John (UWE CU)
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The team from Britain arrived at 5am on the Friday of the Back to the Cross Conference. It was a rare treat to get up so early and go and collect them from the airport and to help them begin to get their heads and hearts around life in NZ. They stayed on in Auckland for a few days after the end of the conference before moving on to Wellington and then on to Palmerston North where they will be spending two weeks engaging in evangelism.

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Their time in Auckland was mostly about resting and relaxing - we walked around the area near my house, they spent some time on a Pacific Ocean beach and were introduced to NZ coffee protocols (flat white, latte, short black, long black, etc. etc. etc.). We also went up Skytower (photo) to look out over Auckland and to marvel at the scenery. Granted the view is not akin to the Southern Alps but still beautiful and stunning in its own way.

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As we shared journey time, meals and conversation (both intense and inconsequential) it struck me that this team who are here 'just for the time being' are here at God's invitation, under His authority and according to His plan. He has much for them to learn, much for them to give and by His grace they and we will leave this time enriched. Serving God is a real privilege, getting to work with guys like this - some people would pay a King's ransom for such an opportunity: I can't believe that God provides for us to live and participate in lives and times such as this.

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Their example to us, to our kids, to the students and the staff of TSCF provokes us to learn and to grow. Their depending on God for finances to get here, for the resources to do what is asked of them and for the wisdom to take the opportunities presented to them brings them to learn transforming truths that remain true in their home situations.

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These are some of the benefit of short term mission trips - Howard Guinness was in NZ for eight weeks 70 years ago: out of that trip the seeds of TSCF and Scripture Union were planted. The Lord knows what Gospel fruit will arise from this particular team's contribution!

Once Again...

70 years of investment! 1936-2006

Students, staff and grads at the TSCF 70th Anniversary Conference

Treasure more lasting and of more weight than gold

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I've had an amazing two weeks, on reflection the conference just gets better and better and the grads arriving brought an even greater focus on the relevance and power of the cross. Here are some student & grad reflections on the impact of the week:

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"It's awesome to come to the end of conference with the cross of Christ firmly imprinted into my soul...Everything else seems to fade in significance. For me the lyrics to the song 'In Christ Alone' sum up conference perfectly. My prayer is that everyone who was at conference will take the message of Christ crucified and spread it all over their campus" Peter (in an email)

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"the conference has to be the best week of my life for 2 reasons: The Word of God was preached clearly, faithfully, and in an engaging, challenging way...Andd there was some wonderful fellowship among like-minded Christians who wanted to see God's work done on their campuses. What a joy to hear the Word so faithfully and clearly taught!!! What encouragement in meeting like-minded Christians, to sharpen one another in our faith, to discuss and affirm Gospel truths and to look each other in the eye and say,"carry on in the faith, brother!" And how humbling, how liberating, and how transforming to hear the Word of God spoken into my life, to be convicted of the truth of the finished work of Christ - to the Glory of God." Elliot

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"In the conference, I've learnt so much about my faith and have been touched again and again by the message of the cross. While listening to testimonials and sermons about the impact and love of Jesus, I cannot help but be in awe by the love of God and His perfect sacrifice." Fran

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""Back to the Cross" is not just a conference that I attended; it is not just a catchy title; it is not even a cool thing for Christian to think about. It is an act that we have to do each and every single day, to bring our everything to the cross, to sit at the foot of the cross, and to seek the face of our LORD" Beets

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"It was a very special time, full of the glorious gospel of God and the challenge to live in light of his grace." Scott

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"The fellowship was really special too - being able to cross racial barriers with Chinese, Indians, Malaysians, Kiwis, Ozzies, Americans, Scots, even a novelty Scouser, was good..." Geraint (a friend of Elliot's visiting from the UK)

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Today is the first day of semester 2 - it is great to know that we are moving forward by still standing at the cross!

Tired but Restored

The last week has entailed two conferences back to back (staff and then national student conference) today a third conference completes the trilogy.

We've gathered from across New Zealand/Aotearoa; nearly 200 students, graduates and the staff team under the heading "Back to the Cross". In our 70th year of ministry a restating our commitment to the cross as the centre and the height of our confidence and the core of the gospel we proclaim.

This is not a returning to the cross - as if we had abandoned it. Every time we come to God in prayer we rest on the access granted us through the reconciling work of God in Christ (Heb 10.19-22). Every time we sing God's praise we claim the peace won in the death of the emnity between God and sinful humanity (Jas 4.4), as Christ who knew no sin was made sin for us (2 Cor 5.21). The list continues and goes on and on - there is no confidence in the Christian life at all without the Cross.

"Back to the Cross" - a rallying cry & a call to advance. In the faithful, passionate and creative proclamation of the Cross there is success (1 Thess 2.1-2). We are "Back to the Cross" because that is where we started, where the work of salvation was accomplished and where our confidence lies. It is at the Cross, in the Cross and by the Cross that we will move on and see fruit grow and develop in the years to come.

There have been many tears this week

• tears of repentance: some have seen afresh the depth of sin and turned again to God for grace, finding that when we are faithful and confess our sin then He is faithful and just and forgives sin.
• tears from weakness: some have felt their frailty and cried out to God for strength to do that which is needed in this generation of students
• tears of joy: thankful hearts responding to the grace of God.

I've found myself shedding all three sorts of tears this week - sinful, weak and grateful. Those three words essentially sum up my life.

Today I got up very early to make an airport pick up for the 5 Brits arriving from UCCF. Ben Carswell is leading a team of 3 students and someone who has just finished Relay. It was great to get news of Britain and to hear updates from the other side of the world.

So I'm tired and can hardly believe that there is another round of meeting and greeting as the graduates arrive tonight as the grad part of the conference begins.

But I'm also restored & re-juvenated by the energy that comes from our confidence in the cross. It is the message message of the cross that has kept strength in TSCF for the last 70 years, and we are committed to this foundation remaining strong until the Lord should return.