Cu.org.au
Title
Christian Union
Description
About AFES
AFES stands for the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students. It is a national organisation which is committed to gospel work amongst university students. It is made up of many student groups around the country, as well as staffworkers who provide leadership and Bible teaching to those student groups.
Students in AFES groups are equipped for gospel ministry, including evangelism of their friends and classmates. They are presented with the challenge of serving God while at university, and are also asked to consider how they will serve God for the rest of their lives. For some this will be as paid gospel workers, such as youth workers, pastors, evangelists, or missionaries. For others this will mean being actively involved in their local church - for example, teaching Sunday School, leading Bible studies or occasional preaching - and seeking to take the gospel to their workmates, friends and family.
AFES grew out of a visit to Australia in 1930 of the evangelist Howard Guinness, who inspired a group of students at the University of Sydney to form the Evangelical Union. Another group soon formed at the University of Melbourne, and more groups followed at other campuses. In 1936 these groups met to form the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. The Fellowship continued to grow, and now has over 50 affiliated groups. In 1973 the name was changed to the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students to more clearly reflect its Australian character.
