As we say a fond farewell to our Relay Workers this June, we're reflecting on God's goodness throughout the past 10 months. The year has been packed with gospel witness, study responses, one-to-ones, events weeks and team days.
These 36 graduates have each grown enormously in the knowledge of God’s grace as they’ve come alongside students reaching their friends with the gospel.
At their final conference, Transition, they studied 1 Peter and left encouraged and challenged to live for Jesus in all of life.
My year on Relay
This year, Benedikta served as a Relay Worker with the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University Christian Unions.
I went into this year expecting God to be working around me and, while I did see this abundantly, I was also immensely challenged by how God worked in me. Through all the study, the one-to-ones with students, and all the different perspectives I gained through time spent with other Relay Workers and staff, God powerfully showed me the importance of prayer, and showed me His grace. It is all too easy to feel as though we can get things done in our own strength, but in reality pride is just an obstacle for seeing how dependent we are on God – and it’s wonderful that we are.
At the start of my year I met Josie (name changed), a flat mate of a CU member who had been bringing Josie to CU events for quite a while. Josie agreed to start reading Uncover Mark and wonderfully she came to know the Lord. This was definitely one of the highlights of my year. It is amazing that God chooses to use us in evangelism when He is obviously more than capable of doing it all Himself. It was so evident that this was God's gift to me, letting me see His Spirit work through her, and she encouraged me a lot.
Throughout the year I was really encouraged by students’ kindness, their welcoming nature and their boldness to share the gospel. I was struck by how a welcoming community can make such a difference. The New Testament often speaks of the importance of love in Christian community. I witnessed CU members’ love and eagerness to point to God in not just their words but also evidenced in their actions, outlooks and attitudes. It is not just me who experienced this impact but also all the Christian and non-Christian students alike who interacted with CU members.
Next year I am going back to university to study Sustainable Engineering. I am really excited to have the opportunity to try to combine my interest in science and my training through the Relay programme into one, by being a student again. My prayer for myself, and many Relay Workers alike, would be that we keep our focus on God and His mission in whatever we go on to do next. It is very easy to get distracted by the world and relationships; but in Phillipians 1 Paul explains that ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain’. I would love if you could join me in praying for all the Relay Workers to keep in mind that God, and His gospel, is more important than any temporary circumstance or riches on earth.
Three ways to pray for Relay Workers as they finish
- Praise God - 'Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ' 1 Peter 1:2. Praise God for His faithfulness this year. For the joy serving Him and supporting CUs has been. For those He has saved and is powerfully at work in.
- For continued witness - 'Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.' 1 Peter 2:12. As many start jobs in the secular world, please pray that they would be witnesses for Christ. That as they live distinctively, those around them would be drawn to know and glorify God.
- For peace - 'Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.' 1 Peter 5:7. For those who might not know what is next, or have fears for the future, that they will commit these concerns to the Lord and trust in Him.