Brothers and sisters, I want to open with spirited thanks for your partnership. Your determined prayerfulness and financial generosity provide a foundation for the ministry of the EU. I, with countless others, have been abundantly and eternally blessed by the prayers of supporters and the work of staff. Though we may not spend time together each week, we share the joy of labouring with one another, in different ways, for the same purposes. So, what will that work look like this year? 

After unusually turbulent years which saw the EU rapidly move ministries online, there are two exciting changes to celebrate. First, praise God, the EU can begin this year by proclaiming Jesus on the University campus! Please pray that students and staff are led by the Spirit, granted boldness, opportunity, and protection as they strive to share God’s good news. Second, with more students on-campus, the EU again has faculties as primary pastoral communities where we hope disciples of Jesus are born and mature. Your support graciously enables staff to serve as pastor-teachers alongside students in these faculties. Pray these communities grow healthily, bring honour to the Lord, and shine like bright stars in the darkness of the campus.

Pray these communities grow healthily, bring honour to the Lord, and shine like bright stars in the darkness of the campus.

In this season of re-establishing various in-person ministries, we want to ensure that our energies are being poured into the EU’s three objects. This will require patience and endurance from God. Please pray that students are presented with the Christian gospel and are led to a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Request that the faith and witness of Christians is strengthened and that they continually submit every aspect of their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Ask the Father to make Christians in the University aware of the nature, needs, and challenges of Christian service at home and abroad. Without prayer for these things, we will accomplish nothing of any real substance in 2022. 

Even before semester one is in full swing, I have glimpsed the beginnings of answered prayer. One student, though sceptical of Jesus’ claims, wants to read the scriptures and hear His words afresh this year. Another student, whom I met as a tentative first year nervous about sticking out as Jesus’ disciple, is now keen to step-up on a faculty team and make Jesus known among his friends. These stories, though modest, remind me that the Lord is very presently at work at the University of Sydney. As more stories are shared this year, I hope that you are filled with courage and that your faith and witness is strengthened.

Your brother in Christ,

Samuel

EU President 2022