It is mid morning on a lazy autumn Sunday when we meet outside a cozy corner cafe. Of the six, someone is always, inevitably late. As we sit down to brunch, conversation is easy and eager, unfettered by niceties and convention, the product of familiarity and long-standing friendships. In truth, we are able to ask vital, but confronting questions about work, faith and service. We challenge, encourage, probe and as our time ends, pray.

The self-titled Full-time Workers Support Group (FWSG) is an unlikely group of friends who have been meeting together since graduating Sydney University in 2010. We are humorously named, as Nicolle recounts, to “remind ourselves that we would live, serve and encourage one another beyond the gates of Sydney Uni and into working life.” The EU was the catalyst for its formation.

The FWSG transcends state borders, and while distinct, is not uncommon. It is one of many groups that have organically arisen amongst generations of EU graduates, formed from the shared experiences of small groups and conferences, the opportunities of training and service during University. Members press each other towards godliness and servant-hearted Christian leadership in and through diverse settings and circumstances. Members continue to love and imagine for one another, helping each other consider the freedom and possibility of lives lived for the glory, and in the grace, of God.

These communities have a long-term vision for helping each other be stretched and grown, for going further together. For two members of the FWSG this has meant stepping into full-time University ministry, for others it has meant adopting leadership roles within their local church and bearing faithful witness to the gospel in their workplace. Its value, Alex remarks, is that “we continually remind each other that Jesus is at the centre. We sharpen each other through our conversations, and our questions and prayers for one another remind us that we are not meant to serve Him in isolation.”
These communities are an important legacy of the EU. Please pray that God would sustain existing communities and raise up many more amongst EU graduates, using them for the growth and extension of His kingdom.