Registration Form for Impact 2012
Profile on Guadeloupe
CARIFES national movement: Groupes Bibliques Universitaires (GBU)
Guadeloupe, along with Martinique and French Guiana, is an extension of France in the Caribbean and Latin America. People would generally define themselves as being Catholic, though this is increasingly a nominal form of Catholicism. As in France, evangelicals are often considered as being part of a cult. On average, 7% of the population are evangelical Christians.
The ‘Université Antilles-Guyane’ has several campuses spread over the three territories and there is strong partnership and cooperation between the IFES groups here. They have grown together in similar contexts, facing similar challenges.
Twenty years ago, students from GBU Martinique travelled to Guadeloupe to encourage Christian students to mobilize and witness on their campus. This student witness then spread powerfully and reached many other institutions. Strong relationships developed between the work in Guadeloupe and the IFES ministry in Martinique. The GBU started to host an annual summer camp and many exchanges developed between the IFES groups on the two islands.
Today, in spite of the reinforcement of French law about secularism, the work is present on the university campus and in about 40% of high schools, with about 100-150 students involved. Volunteers assist in the student work, but there are no paid staff.
Please pray for:
students to keep pressing on and sharing the good news of Jesus to their friends in spite of the reinforcement of French law about secularism;
more staff workers.
Praise God for:
faithful board members doing their best to compensate for that lack of staff and volunteers
Profile on Barbados
Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands. This small island of 166 square miles enjoys a relatively stable political system and has been ranked by the United Nations as the number one developing country. Yet, along with economic prosperity, there has been a steady increase in the influence of materialism and religious pluralism on the Barbadian culture. Although many Barbadians profess the Christian faith, there is little evidence of the transformed lives that come through a commitment to Christ.
Antigua – Inter-School & Colleges Christian Fellowship
In Antigua and Barbuda, over 90% of the people would say they are Christians. At the same time, the country has seen a steady decline in morality. Rising crime rates and a growing apathy towards Christianity are affecting many young people.
The Interschool and College Christian Fellowship (ISCCF) was founded in the 1960s. In the 1980s, a staffworker from Norway was appointed to help strengthen ISCCF administrative structures. In 1987 they celebrated the appointment of their first Antiguan staffworker, Cecilia Hill. Sadly the movement went into decline in the late 1990s: it was struggling financially and many graduates had emigrated.
Today, ISCCF has active groups in most of the government secondary schools, in the primary schools and in the Antigua State College. ISCCF is in a time of rebuilding the ministry and is focusing on evangelism, discipleship, leadership and missions.
We thank the Lord for:
* the renewal of the student movement;
* the committed teachers who are willing to ‘sponsor’ the ISCCF school groups.
We pray for:
* partners to stand with them in prayer and financially;
* God’s direction for their national board as they plan strategies for the future.
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Evangelism
In the Francophone Caribbean after the holiday break, high schools and university groups organised themselves to start the new academic year. A programme of friendship evangelism is normally in place for students in Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique. Read the rest of this entry »
Prayer Support
Please pray for and support this vital ministry to students of Antigua and Barbuda.
The work holds tremendous potential for growth and transformation in the lives of students of this nation. With your prayer and support ISCCF Antigua could touch the lives of hundreds of students each week.
The movement is currently seeking volunteers to serve in various capacities.
For further information please use the contact information given below.
Update
There are those who firmly believe that IS/IVCF ministry of Belize has the ability to make significant changes in the social, cultural, economic and spiritual landscape of the nation. That is why the Board and Staff are committed to advancing the work among students. In spite of the odds and challenges the board members are committed to the vision of challenging students “to know Christ and to make Him known.”
IS/IVCF currently needs people who would stand with them in prayer, pocket, and personnel support. If you feel that the Lord is leading you to make some contribution towards the student ministry in Belize, please check out the contact information below.
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