Heledd Job

What is your role?

I am the Dublin International Student Ministry Staff Worker and a Member of the Leadership Development Team in IFES Europe.

I want to see students transformed by the good news of Jesus so that they fully engage with the mission of the church in the world.

Tell us about yourself

I’m originally from Wales and have spent the last 15 years working in student ministry in Portugal, Wales, Slovakia, Italy and now in Ireland. As a foreigner I’ve seen and felt the difference a welcoming community that displays the gospel can make. I feel privileged being able to come alongside churches and CUs in Dublin as they seek to build, and be those kind of communities.

Why does Ireland need an international student worker?

There are over 20,000 international students from over 150 different countries living and studying in Dublin. Many come from countries that have very little gospel witness.

The Republic of Ireland is the least evangelised English-speaking country in the world. The church is small and vulnerable, yet there are faithful followers of Jesus seeking to reach out with the good news. One in five people living in Dublin were born outside Ireland and so this international community is a big part of the mission field of the church.

Many international students come from countries that have very little gospel witness.

Having been involved in IFES for many years I’ve seen that there are many others in similar contexts across Europe seeking to reach, support and train students in mission. Many of them do so with very little input or support.

During my time in ministry, I’ve been really blessed to have people who have supported and invested in me. I am grateful for the opportunity to mentor and invest in others across Europe who haven’t had that same blessing, supporting them as they serve God where he has called them.

What excites you about your role?

God used my time in CU in university to convince me that he is the God of the whole world and that his heart is for people from all nations to come to know him. He is at work in universities across Europe, drawing those people to himself, and it’s a joy to be a part of that.

I’m excited about seeing students from all over the world fall in love with Jesus as they are welcomed, loved, discipled and then sent out as witnesses to Him both in Dublin and wherever God takes them. It’s a privilege to support others too as they do the same in other parts of Europe.

I’m excited about seeing students from all over the world fall in love with Jesus, as they are welcomed, loved, discipled and then sent out.