Another year, another Annual Conference. Another year of seeing our Lord God do a mighty work among the EU! As in John 21:25, I don’t have space to write down all the amazing things that He did in those five days at KCC. But here are some highlights:

By God’s grace, 7 students came to faith at AnCon or in the few weeks following – including 2 international students! Among them was Chloe, who joyfully reflects:

At AnCon, I got to know Jesus and started to live as a Christian. God taught me that I’m always loved and guided by His Holy Spirit. And I want to continue sharing His love and faith through my exploration.

Of course, as awesome as it was having 18 students investigating Jesus at AnCon, that wasn’t the only opportunity for transformation. Students who have been Christians for many years were struck anew by God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus’ death on the cross, and its implications for us as His followers – truths which they’d heard many times before, but understood in a fresh and humbling way. As we spent the week exploring the event and implications of the crucifixion, we were challenged, comforted and convicted.

We were challenged to put to death our old self, deny ourselves, and embrace suffering as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Reflecting on his fifth AnCon, Tim shares:

I was really challenged by Rowan’s second talk, in that as Christians we should be carrying our cross daily, and how that fits into my life as a follower of Jesus. I was challenged to think about how my life at uni displays Christ publicly, and whether or not I am willing to have Christ at the front and centre of my life, even if I am ridiculed for following Jesus.

We were also comforted that, though we are weak and prone to pride-filled selfishness, God loves us, saved us, and uses us to make Himself known. It’s in our weakness and the seemingly ‘weak’ gospel that His power is magnified. So, rather than being ashamed, we boast in a risen saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

And we were convicted to not simply learn, or prick our consciences, but to also act. Around 70 students pledged to prayerfully consider serving in less-reached and less-resourced places, and/or committing to full-time ministry under God. As Caleb succinctly puts it,

AnCon illuminated to me the implications of Jesus’ historical life, death, and resurrection: If this is true, why wouldn’t I wholeheartedly pray that God would use my life entirely for his glory? Why wouldn’t I seek to glorify him in all that I am?

(The talks from the plenary sessions are now online, so you can also be encouraged! Find them on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.)

On top of growing in knowledge and conviction, some students reported growing in prayerfulness – not only did they pray a lot more in that week, they also resolved to pray more regularly upon their return to Sydney, as we were inspired that “revival starts with us”. As a union, we spent time taking hold of the EU’s 2030 Big Kingdom Vision and were emboldened for our campus mission in Semester 2, where we’ll be inviting our friends, classmates and strangers to “Meet Jesus”. Our faithful missionaries-in-residence (from France, Albania, East Africa, Nepal, Taiwan, Japan, Darwin & Canberra) helped us to grow our imagination and heart to serve the LRLR. Friendships developed, faculties bonded, the Education and Health faculties dominated the sports competitions again, and the performers of the Talent Show stunned the crowd. Just the usual AnCon shenanigans.

Praise God for bearing much fruit in an impactful and memorable week, and allowing us to enjoy them! Praise Him for moving hearts, speaking through His servants, and sustaining all those who laboured for the conference. One member of the AnCon team fondly reflects:

As it is every year, AnCon was an amazing five days spent delving deep into God’s Word as one EU (and many friends!). Being part of the AnCon team was an amazing experience that opened my eyes more to the joys and the fruits that this camp brings to all involved. It may have been months of hard work, but it was time and energy very well spent, guided by and for the glory of God. AnCon truly does belong to the Lord!

Thank you for joining with us in prayer in the lead up to, and during, AnCon. Please be encouraged that He is working powerfully through your prayers and partnership! And please continue to pray for the EU as we channel our zeal into the Semester 2 Mission Weeks. Get excited for what God will do in and through us!

May you have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3.18-21)

With joy in Christ,

Annie Tan

Howard Guinness Project 2023-24