Expectation is high about what life – and ministry at Sydney Uni – might look like on the other side of lockdown and zoom. But before we run too far ahead it is important to stop and give thanks for some of the wonderful works of God done amongst us over the last few months. Our annual Supporters’ Month was such an encouragement as we prayed and gave towards the EU ministry at Sydney Uni. Praise God that we exceeded our financial target, which has helped lay a firm financial foundation as we take on some new senior staff for 2022. Thank you to everyone who prayed, gathered or gave as part of your partnership with us during the month.

Looking ahead, we are excited that Kit Ng will be joining the EU Senior Staff team in 2022. Kit will be particularly serving amongst Health students and the many Allied Health students who transferred from the Cumberland campus to Camperdown at the beginning of this year. We also have eight new Howard Guinness Project ministry trainees starting in January. Please pray for Sarah, Sylvia, Phoebe, Rohan, Andrew, Trish, Felicity and Henry, as well as Kit, as they raise the prayer and financial partners they need to do this work.

We are yet to see what lasting impact COVID19 may have had on the EU ministry. The number of students involved in the EU has shrunk by about a third over the last two years—unsurprising given that three-quarters of the last 2 years have been on Zoom. Next year there will be no students in years 1-3 at uni who has ever been to an in-person Annual Conference!

2022 will be a significant ‘reset’ for the EU ministry. I suspect it will take the next three years to rebuild the work amongst local students.

2022 will be a significant ‘reset’ for the EU ministry. I suspect it will take the next three years to rebuild the work amongst local students. The international student ministry may take far, far longer. The University has indicated that they want students on campus and learning to be in-person. However, they have also indicated that lectures to groups of more than 120 students are most likely a relic of the past, not to be revived post-COVID. What will this mean for EU ministry on campus? We don’t yet know. Students will be around less, but also craving connection and community. How might the EU be a gospel community shining the love of Christ in this new day? Please pray for wisdom as student leaders and staff plan together to proclaim Jesus as Lord to the Sydney Uni community in 2022.

Warmly in him,

Rowan Kemp

CEO EU GradsFund