Easter is a time when we remember in a special way the incredible sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and his amazing resurrection that gives us new life. Many IFES movements around the world use this occasion to have Easter-focused evangelistic programs. Some schools and universities have holidays, and students take time to meet with others for discipleship and leadership training, or travel to serve other communities and IFES movements.
Here is a sample of what IFES movements are doing around the world to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus:
From 16-27 April, students and staff from TSCF New Zealand, are using their school break to go to Fiji to join an outreach team of students from PSFC in Fiji. Activities will include some construction work, and visiting villages and a local prison to share the good news.
Please pray for good relationships among members of the New Zealand and Fiji teams, and for spiritual growth in the lives of each person. Pray for the outreach events that are planned, that people may see Christ at work in and through the lives of the students.
From 21-24 April, student leaders of ABUB Brazil will attend regional events which focus on prayer, reflection and action planning for expanding and strengthening student ministry. Eliezer, a student leader, shares about why he is spending the Easter weekend at one of these events: ‘The regional meetings are important moments in the lives of students, as we share, reflect, dream and plan our regional and local missionary outreach, seeing the life of Christ manifest in one another.’
The staff of ABUB ask that we pray for these regional meetings, that they might be a time of listening, humility, and growing zeal for missionary work in schools and universities in Brazil.
Students of FOCUS Kenya will be attending this year’s national retreat near Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, from 22-25April 2011. The theme of the event will be ‘A proactive church – setting the right priorities today’. Participants will be focusing on priorities for the church in Kenya in order to be salt and light in the socio-political and religious context. Bible expositions will be based on the significance of Christ’s words when he said, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30).
Please pray for students that they will be excited about the part they can play in building the church in Kenya. Pray too that they will be equipped and encouraged through the teaching on the finished work of Christ to meet the challenges that face Christians in Africa today.
As you celebrate the joy of this Easter season with friends and family, please remember the many international students all over the world who may be feeling especially lonely at this time of year. Pray for those reaching out to them, and consider inviting someone to celebrate with you, that they might see the love of Christ in action through the lives of his people.
May God bless you.
Penny Vinden
IFES Global Communications
