History

AFES

AFES grew out of a visit to Australia in 1930 of the evangelist Howard Guinness, who inspired a group of students at the University of Sydney to form the Evangelical Union. Another group soon formed at the University of Melbourne, and more groups followed at other campuses.

In 1936 these groups met to form the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. The Fellowship continued to grow, and now has over 50 affiliated groups on campuses across Australia. In 1973 the name was changed to the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students to more clearly reflect its Australian character.

The vision of AFES is to coordinate within Australian tertiary education institutions the work of evangelical student groups by:

• stimulating personal faith in, and love for, the Lord Jesus Christ among individual students;
• upholding the truths of Christianity as contained in the Bible;
• presenting the challenge of missionary service;
• encouraging the foundation and maintenance of an active witness to Christ in all Australian tertiary education institutions.

Students in AFES groups are equipped for gospel ministry, including sharing the good news with their friends and classmates. They are presented with the challenge of serving God while at university, and are also asked to consider how they will serve God for the rest of their lives.

For some this will be as paid gospel workers, such as youth workers, pastors, evangelists, or missionaries. For others this will mean being actively involved in their local church - for example, teaching Sunday School, leading Bible studies or occasional preaching - and seeking to take the gospel to their workmates, friends and family.

AFES Values

1. Passion for sharing the gospel AFES ministry is gospel-driven and arises from our personal awareness of the grace of God in salvation
2. National and international gospel concern AFES ministry is committed to the proclamation of the gospel to all tertiary students across Australia and to gospel proclamation throughout the world
3. Systematic bible teaching AFES ministry is characterised by the systematic teaching of the Scriptures for Christian maturity and to equip people for effective Christian living
4. Prayer AFES ministry expresses its dependence on the sovereignty of God through an emphasis on prayer
5. Leadership AFES ministry is committed to identifying and training people who will provide leadership for the Christian community and for the world
6. Partnership in the cause of the gospel AFES ministry actively fosters relationships between staff, students, graduates, churches and other supporters that reflect Christ-like love
7. Local sensitivity AFES ministry recognises that the methods and strategies employed must be appropriate for the particular campus, geographic place or demographic group in which they are carried out.
8. Commitment to evangelical unity AFES ministry recognises that there is a diversity of views and emphases within the community of evangelical Christians and seeks to uphold fellowship with all those whose beliefs are in agreement with the AFES doctrinal basis.

IFES

AFES is affiliated internationally with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students or I.F.E.S. for short. Visit the IFES website (www.ifesworld.org) to get the latest info about Christian groups at Universities all around the world.

Many Christian students live in countries where 'freedom of religion' and 'freedom of speech' do not exist.

How a global work of God began

The Christian Union in Cambridge University, England, celebrated its 125th birthday in 2002!

Cambridge students in the early 20th century were to play a vital role in establishing a gospel witness on campuses around the world.

In 1947 leaders of ten national movements met in Harvard (one of those national groups was Australia). They committed themselves, and those they represented, to work and pray to see a witness to Christ established in every university in the world. This is when IFES was formed. There is now an IFES linked witness in 145 nations. However it is often very fragile, and does not extend to every campus in all these countries. There is much work still to do.

But in another sense, IFES can trace its roots further back than that, to Cambridge University.

The Cross and pioneering

The story of the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (CICCU) starts in 1877. By 1919 the Student Christian Movement (SCM), of which it was part, ceased to hold the cross of Christ in the centre of its theology. Perceiving this, a small group of Cambridge students resolved to pull away, and start again. With their encouragement a few others followed.

In 1928, with young evangelical groups in most British and Irish universities of the day, the Inter-Varsity Fellowship (now UCCF) was formed. Graduates from these Christian Unions were to pioneer work in several other countries. Some who made outstanding contributions were Leslie Lyall in China, David Adeney in East Asia, Tony Wilmot in Africa, and Howard Guinness in Canada and Australia. Howard Guinness was sent to Canada by his classmates in London University. Their savings stretched to a one-way ticket and a winter overcoat! (Howard Guinness later went to Australia and was instrumental in forming the AFES.) In due course the Canadian students worked to found the InterVarsity Fellowship in the USA. Since then, many movements have been pioneered by students and graduates in neighbouring countries.

Murdoch Guild of Students

MCU is affiliated with the Murdoch Guild of Students and has been for decades. The Murdoch Christian Union is one of the oldest 'Clubs' at Murdoch University. Since its foundation in 1975, Murdoch University has always had the Murdoch Christian Union. We are one of the most active clubs on campus, and are committed to being an active part of the vibrant atmosphere at Murdoch. In an age when materialism dominates the lives of people (even Universities themselves are under pressure to perform like businesses), MCU has a role to play in the life and culture of University to encourage people to think about the bigger issues of life, the universe and everything. We are committed to helping people think about deeper issues like life and death, forgiveness, grace, love, mercy, kindness, reconciliation, etc, all these are concepts taught in the Bible and demonstrated in the words and actions of Jesus.

Speaking the Truth in love

Murdoch Christian Union is a student-run Christian group at Murdoch University. We hope you find our web site helpful. If you would like any more information or have any questions, please contact us.