Evangelical Students Convene for Global Flagship Event

By Lillian Kwon, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Over 700 people from more than 150 countries are opening the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students' world assembly – the organization's flagship event.

Delegates of national Christian movements on university campuses worldwide are gathering for the July 11-19 event to help further their ministry works under the banner "In Christ, into the world."

"This is a call to affirm our identity in Christ and our Christian responsibility to engage the world, including the world of the university which is the primary field of our mission engagement, as Christ's witnesses," said Las G. Newman, associate general secretary of IFES and director of IFES World Assembly 2007.

This year's World Assembly, which convenes every four years, coincides with IFES' 60th anniversary and will celebrate the new IFES general secretary, Daniel Bourdanne from Chad.

Bourdanne had attended InterVarsity's triennial convention – Urbana 2006 – telling tens of thousands of students that as incoming general secretary, he's ready to give his life for the organization.

Calling IFES one of the key strategic ministries in the world, Bourdanne said, "The role of IFES is to connect national movements together to partner to be able to impact the universities worldwide. So if you are a member of InterVarsity USA, InterVarsity Canada ... you are a full member of IFES. What a privilege [it is] to be part of this global family taking the gospel to transform the universities for the Lord for Jesus.

"IFES is investing in students to impact their lives."

Bourdanne will succeed Lindsay Brown during the World Assembly.

During the nine-day gathering, which is being hosted by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of Canada at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, students, leaders and staff will reflect on and shape the fellowship's vision and mission and discuss some of the big issues facing the Christian student movements today.

Among some of the featured events are Canadian Day, where attendees can connect with international delegates who struggle daily with issues of poverty, hunger, genocide, HIV/AIDS and oppression; Camp Day, geared toward children; and Pastors' Day, which is aimed at helping leaders build global perspective for the whole church.

The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students is a networking community of more than 150 nationally-led student movements, committed to being partners in global student witness. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA is one of the original founding members of IFES.