#relay17

‘Turning the World Upside Down!’ ‘What?’ ˜Surely this is impossible, how can I make a difference in the world I’m just a Christian Student?

Around 25 brave students from across Munster battled against Ophelia and Brian, to enjoy a thrilling BIG weekend together. Throughout it they considered the main theme, how it is possible to make a difference in the world and “Turn it Upside Down!”  Talks, workshops and seminars all digging deeper into God’s Word, revealed how with God nothing is impossible and we all can play our part in ‘Turning the World Upside Down’ by making an impact through witness and mission across the Globe.

The first evening we kicked things off with worship and prayer for the weekend. It was great to be joined by members from IT Carlow, for the first time, at the Munster weekend, Izzy their Staff Worker interviewed the two students and it was encouraging to hear how God was working in that campus through the CU.  Peter Grier, (Munster Staff Worker), rounded night one off with an introduction to the theme of the whole weekend.

Grace from Irish Bible Institute (IBI) commenced Saturday morning with a talk on ‘How we should read the Bible’. This session helped the students think through any passage of the Bible, in terms of the type of text used, who the author was and who he was addressing. Students then had time within a workshop, Reading, Exploring and Responding to the words of Psalms 1-3. To conclude Johnny, the local pastor of Carrigaline Baptist came and preached from Psalm 2, helping us dig even deeper into understanding the Word. 

Three great seminars, three great speakers! The students were really spoilt for choice for the afternoon. Each of the seminars was shaped around the theme ‘Turning the World Upside Down’ in terms of ‘Social Media’, ‘Christian Leadership’ and ‘Sharing the Gospel’.

Free time called for a game of EXPLODING KITTENS! Friendships on the line as each Kitten (Student) battled it out to avoid lifting the dreaded deadly ‘Exploding Kitten!’

Throughout the weekend it was such a blessing to have Alan Cousins as our missionary in residence. Alan led our ‘World Celebration’ evening; he shared stories of those coming to Christ across the world and performed a short drama based on the diary entries of Hudson Taylor. This was such a challenging and encouraging evening for all present, as we joined together in worship and prayer, praying for The Lord’s work to be done across the World! Our last evening together drew to a close with a campfire and time of praise with our minds all set on how we can actively play a part to ‘Turn the World Upside Down for Christ’.

The weekend was almost over, but on Sabbath morning we had the privilege of joining together for worship with Westside Baptist Church in Bandon. Alan yet again shared the great message of truth, preaching from John 18 ‘The betrayal of Jesus’ and during the service a couple of students shared updates of what is happening in their CUs. After the service the Students and the congregation enjoyed tea and coffee sharing with each other different stories of God’s grace in their daily lives.

Due to Peter Gs’ and my lack of experience cooking for a large group, dinner was delayed by two hours which meant plenty of time for a Q&A time. Once this concluded and before the BIG weekend was officially over we finally enjoyed dinner together, with the students going home physically and spiritually full from a great weekend!

Student highlights:

‘I was reminded of the high calling of the great commission of Christ, to go out into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, and of the joy that will come from one sinner repenting.’ Nathaniel Volfango (University College Cork)

‘A real highlight for me was getting to spend lots of time getting to know the people in my CU better. I loved playing card games and having a laugh with people I wouldn’t normally hang out with in my CU. Another highlight was the seminar I attended, on social media. Which I found very helpful and relatable for my life. Overall, I feel blessed to have been able to go to the CU weekend away and encourage anyone who hasn’t gone before to go next year. ’Sarah Quinlan (University College Cork)

On Monday 2nd I travelled up to Greystones to meet up with the other team Ireland Relay workers and our Staff worker Helen. We were joined by Damien a past Staff worker, now minster in Dundalk. He led two sessions with us on 'How has God made himself known?' - Through the Bible the living Word which is Jesus Christ and through His creation of all things. In our second session he helped us think and consider different methods we could use when we are studying a passage of scripture, in preparation for leading a Bible study with students or a talk we are to give at a CU event.

In the afternoon we enjoyed a walk by the sea and a catch up with each other. Since we were on our best behaviour as a family of Relays, Helen treated us to pizza that evening for dinner!

After dinner we shared with each other different things that have been happening in each of the CUs across Ireland. We each shared something that had really encouraged us from our first month as Relays and were able to share our concerns as well as different matters for prayer. This was a fantastic time shared with each of the other guys, as we were able to enjoy fellowship, hear how we all have been getting on, encourage one another and pray for each other as we seek to lead students closer Christ.

On Tuesday morning we travelled to Swords (North Dublin), for a full CUI staff day. It was great to meet the rest of team CUI especially those I was meeting for the first time. After introductions, a short epilogue from Monty (Director of CUI) plenty of tea and coffee it was down to proper CUI business, (Top secret information!). We concluded the CUI staff day with a time of prayer, praying for Christian Students all across Ireland, North and South!

After the busy start to the week I was able to drive back home. On Thursday I had the pleasure of attending a wedding of two close friends from University and Summer teams. It was a great day and I am excited for the newly Wed couple to join me in Cork come the new year. They will be working as missionaries in the City as well, helping with people who face many different life challenges e.g addictions and homlessness.

Prayer Points:

Safe travel as I drive back to Cork on Monday.

UCC CU events this week which include; committee meeting, CU prayer meeting, Wednesday night meeting with speaker, weekly outreach on Thursday afternoon giving out free tea and coffee.

CIT CU events, weekly prayer meeting, Football outreach on Thursday, CU meetings and for Students in CIT to have the desire to be more involved within the CU and to serve God on their campus.

International Student Cafe on Tuesday night - that new internationals would come along and for those Christians helping to be able to be a witness and to share Gods love with them.

Plans for the BIG MONSTER CU WEEKEND happening 20th-22nd of October.

For myself in the Relay study programme, that I would continue to be challenged and grow in my faith through studying the Word.

For 1-2-1 Bible studies that I plan to start with students over the next couple of weeks. Pray that non Christian Students would be interested in meeting up with me even just to have a chat over coffee and ask any questions they may have regarding Christianity and the Bible.

Lastly thank you to all of you have been supporting me through prayer and by helping me financially. I still am seeking more financial support in the work of Relay to help pay rent and for general living costs. To see me through this year I still need to raise another £300per month, this would be a massive help in order for me to complete this Relay year in Cork. Give thanks that God has provided and His will prevails.

📷 Relay day: Back row; Me and Daniel (Relay with Jordanstown and Belfast Met). Front row; Grace (Relay in North West), Nicole (Relay in Dublin) and Helen (Our lovely Relay worker mother, Staff worker in Galway).

This week is the first week that it has properly hit me that I am a proper Relay worker now and no longer a university student myself. So I thought I would just post a quick update.

Universities in Cork are now into their second teaching week of term, which is hard to believe! Last week UCC CU held their first meeting of term with a pizza party following society’s day. It was encouraging for the CU committee to see around 80 new students show an interest and sign up to the Christian Union during societies day and the pizza party was a great success! Tonight the first main CU meetings get started at UCC. 

CIT last week also held their societies day last week, for a much small university and CU it was encouraging to see another 30ish people show an interest in coming to CIT CU. CIT are running pizza evening Tomorrow night and hope to get a more solid plan for the year around drawn up in the next couple of weeks.

I have started meeting up with Students 1-2-1 which is very exciting! To start off with I am meeting up with 4 committee members of UCC CU. I plan to meet up with them each, once every two weeks to study the Bible with them, encourage and support them as they serve God in their role and mission on campus!

Last night the International Students Café kicked off, held in Cork Baptist church. It was a fun night with around 20 students in attendance, together we explored the top places to visit in Ireland as the theme of the night was ‘Travel Ireland’. It was great to meet the international students and we hope and pray that next week more will come along for another enjoyable evening. 

Prayer Points:

Give thanks that I have settled in to life in Cork and that I will continue to get used to a new way of life as a Relay worker.

Praise God for his provision for the year ahead, in a house and finically.

Pray for the International Students Café that started last night, it runs every Tuesday night. Pray that friendships would be formed with international students and the gospel will be shared with them.

Pray for UCC CU meetings which happen every Wednesday night, pray for the fresher's and others who may be coming along for the first time. Pray that they would feel welcomed to the CU and that they will be able to enjoy the fellowship.

Pray for CIT meeting on Thursday, pray that the CU in CIT would grow and that more students would be interested in being involved in running the CU as their currently only 3 students committed to the work of the CU.

Give thanks for Fletcher who works in the CIT Chaplaincy, give thanks for his interest and involvement in helping organise the CU.

Pray for both UCC and CIT CU committees as they share their vision and mission of CU with other students and as they live and witness for Christ on campus.

P.S. Here is a pic of the best Mocha I have had so far on this Relay journey, as I continue in to my caffeine addiction and meeting up with students!