Has it ever struck you that the one true living God never gets drunk?

On April 5th, over 130 students, staff, and graduates from Sydney Uni gathered for our one-day missions conference, “Next Steps.” Our guest speaker, Tim Kay, who formerly served as a missionary in Russia, began by telling us about the gods around Israel. He spoke of El, who got so intoxicated he needed help getting home, and Baal, who became so drunk that he had intercourse with a cow. Then he showed us, beginning as early as Genesis 9, that the Bible teaches it is not our holy God but we who are spiritually drunk. This drunkenness leads to unconsciousness, nakedness, shame, and ultimately destruction. He inspired us with Christ’s willingness to drink our cup. This cup could not pass unless Christ himself drank it (Matthew 26:42). This cup is strong enough to stagger all nations (Jeremiah 25). It signifies that he endured nakedness, shame, unconsciousness, and even destruction for us. He challenged us to consider whether we will remain drunk with what the world is drunk with or whether we will walk sober, awake, and willing to be the designated driver—sober for the sake of the less reached and less resourced (LRLR).

The day was jam-packed with discussion groups, interviews, seminars, tasty treats, and ACT NOW stalls. Delegates could choose from three seminars: Emotional Mission, Relational Evangelism, and Family and Serving the LRLR. For the discussion groups, delegates self-identified into one of four categories: (1) I haven’t thought much about the LRLR, (2) Planning to stay and send, (3) Thinking about going, and (4) Struggling to decide between good options.

When asked about their highlights from the conference, here’s what some delegates shared:

“The talks were challenging, particularly when thinking about whether or not I’m awake and how much I want to be the first person to share the gospel with someone who has never heard it.”

“Deepening our understanding of the LRLR and prayerfully considering how we can serve the Lord now and in the future.”

“Learning to be more spiritually aware and intentional about the people in my church, in friendship circles, and family at home. I also learnt to trust in Jesus to lead me wherever He wants to.”

As the senior staff member privileged with serving the Next Steps specialist team, I was encouraged by the sacrificial service of a team that served behind the scenes for the better part of two semesters. They volunteered diverse gifts out of love, arriving early on meeting days (7:30 can be tough for uni students!) and staying late, leaving only after a team dinner.

And what did God do among us? Four students pledged to prayerfully consider serving the LRLR over the next five years and taking action this year. More than 20 students have requested follow-up conversations with staff. Perhaps only on that last day will we fully understand how the Lord has worked among us. Will you join us in praying that He continues to work in our midst, for the glory of His name among all nations, in less-reached and less-resourced parts of Sydney, Australia, and the world?

– Seth Fellows, EU Senior Staff