GBU staff worker Lycia Français is encouraged by this initiative
Did you know that France is in the top five countries for welcoming exchange students? According to Campus France, there were about 400,000 internationals studying in France in 2022. Like Christian Unions in the UK, French GBUs (Groupes Bibliques Universitaires: the equivalent of UCCF (uccf.org.uk) in the UK) want to share the gospel with university students – including internationals!
The GBU’s international student ministry “iConnect” started in 2016 in Paris with an IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) staff worker and some volunteers. It grew and evolved even when Covid hit hard a few years later. After the pandemic, the staff worker became national coordinator, and the goal was to launch small teams in other French cities too. In Lyon, we started some events in 2021 and have had a team since, with different volunteers (students or graduates) every year.
27thJanuary-2nd February 2024was an historic moment as we had our first ever iConnect mission week! It took place in Nancy, where the newest iConnect team was created a year ago. We saw the opportunity to encourage and train the team while also partnering with the city’s churches. It was a big adventure, but God deeply blessed this time. The team included 5 GBU staff workers or trainees, 5 students, 1 Friends International apprentice who came all the way from Glasgow, and 1 staff worker from another student ministry in Lille (there were 7 nationalities among us!).
After a time of teambuilding and city exploration, we went on the campus with flyers and ice-breaker questions at lunch times, talked with students and invited them to the iCafé events in the evening (music & dance night, Chandeleur night...). We praise the Lord for the students who came and opened His word for the first time, for the good conversations, and the joy of sharing His presence and love with others. Looking ahead, please pray for the iConnect team starting in Rennes!
