Bethan Ryder
Supporting Christian Union students to share the gospel in Nantes, France
“I would love to spend time this year helping students to think about how their faith relates to their studies and how they can share the gospel with their coursemates… I can’t wait to get creative in evangelism.”
Despite its rich church history, only about 1% of France’s population are Evangelical Christians.
Nantes has over 30,000 students, with a strong international community, but most students are from secular France. Many of these will have little to no knowledge of Jesus and the Bible. What a great opportunity the Christian union has to share this life-giving news! Particularly among the younger generations, the country is experiencing a ‘meaning’ crisis which is leading to spiritual openness. The university being a place buzzing with the latest ideas, Christian students are desperately needed to speak truth and love into Nantes’ many campuses.
Exploring my giftings in a cross-cultural setting
I have spent the last year as a UCCF Relay Worker in Cambridge, UK. It has been amazing to see the way God uses students in their contexts within friendship groups and lectures to reach the lost. I have had the privilege of meeting so many students who are searching for truth and meaning in life at university. After spending lots of time with international students and thinking about the beautiful way God has relentlessly pursued people from all nations, I am excited to be able to continue working with students a bit further from home! Being able to speak French and having visited the country several times has got me really excited to head to Nantes!
I would love to spend time this year helping students to think about how their faith relates to their studies and how they can share the gospel with their coursemates within the framework of the mutual understanding they have of their subject. I can’t wait to get creative in evangelism.
Making disciples, In partnership with IFES
I will be an ‘Interaction Worker’ with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES). IFES supports Christian Unions around the world to help students engage their fellow students with the gospel. I will spend time opening God’s word with Christian students in Nantes to equip them as they go out onto campus, and would love to be able to join them in opening God’s word with their non-Christian friends! As well as coming alongside students in this way, I will help them to run evangelistic events and join with them as they pray for their university.