“I could say a lot about the journey the CU has been on the past few years, or I could mention how I’ve loved big events. There’s lots I’ve learnt that I could pass on. But most of all, I’ve been in awe of the CU members. Sacrificing their time, giving to the CU, often without seeking recognition. Whether that’s serving mince pies at the carol service, hosting guests at Events Week, buying books for events, staying up late to deliver the last toasties. Those things have eternal significance. Why? Although they’re not seeking a reward, they’re doing it to give people a chance to hear about Jesus. Monday meetings reflect God’s wisdom. You have a bunch of people from all kinds of church backgrounds and cultures, worshipping the same God and hearing his word. Because we’re all different, there’ll always be something different to what you’re used to. But that’s how we learn about God’s wisdom in the wider church! God chooses to use students on busy courses, who aren’t professionals, to put on a meeting where we meet with him in worship, pray for big things, and get equipped for mission. Doesn’t that show God’s greatness in using weak people like us? Events Week was just phenomenal. Just seeing people come to hear about Jesus and ask their questions because they had seen a flyer earlier that day was incredible. I realised that there are so many people with genuine questions who haven’t had the opportunity to really ask them or hear about who Jesus is. My advice to freshers would be to forget all your expectations of what CU is going to be like and to look past all the surface things, like the style of music or your first impressions. The most important thing is to ask, “What is the CU here for?” Ask that question, and get on board with the mission. Make sure you genuinely catch the vision. Then everything else makes sense. What helped me was finding out who UCCF is, discovering their history with CUs, and wanting to be a part of that history in the making!”
- Fearghal Kelly