Students are good for church! They bring life and new thinking, they bring opportunities for us to invest and grow, they bring challenges, and they reach out to a generation church often finds hard to reach on its own.

Over the last 20 years we’ve had the pleasure of having lots of different students come to Ebe.

We’ve been asking some of those students about their time in Bristol... www.ebe.org.uk/studentstories

My name is Jon, I’m 23 years old and I’ve recently graduated from university myself with a degree in Applied Theology. I am from a town called Stroud, just forty-five minutes up the M5 and I moved to Bristol four years ago. I now live in Shirehampton with my wonderful wife Leone, who is currently a student nurse studying at UWE.

What have you been up to in life before now?
I felt called into church ministry when I was 18 and from then, I began various gap-years and worked with a number of different churches. As I’ve stated, I recently graduated with a degree in Applied Theology, which had a specific focus on Youth Ministry, from Moorlands Bible College. Alongside this I spent the past four years as the youth worker of Holy Trinity Church in Nailsea. Additionally, I have also trained with the New Wine Discipleship year and an organisation called South West Youth Ministries.

Tell us an unusual fact about yourself...
When I was 18 I built a house in South Africa which is still standing as far as I know.

What’s your faith journey been like?
I’ve been surrounded by church my entire life. My parents are leaders of the church I grew up in and I’ve always been involved in church events for as long as I can remember. I started taking Christianity more seriously when my church employed a youth worker, who mentored and journeyed with me as I became to explore what it really meant to be a follower of Jesus. When I was 14 I committed my life to Jesus and I made the decision to get baptised when I was 17.

What do you like doing in your spare time?
Besides sleeping and eating? I love films, to the point that some say my head is an encyclopaedia of film trivia. I have a highly organised DVD collection of over 800 films, much to my wife’s annoyance. Apart from films I love music of all varieties. I am also a keen drummer, having played in numerous bands for the past 12 years. I’m up for trying new things, so feel free to introduce me to new things that you love doing.

Why student work?
Having recently been a student myself, I understand how difficult and stressful it is being a student. I want to use this role to provide students with space to relax, meet new friends and experience a welcoming Christian community. As I have already said, I’ve felt called into ministry and I’ve had a number of prophetic words about this role so I know that this is where God wants me to be for this point of my life. I’m really excited to be working with people who are a similar age to me.

What are you looking forward to most in your new role at Ebe?
I’m really looking forward to meeting new people and journeying with them as we host regular social events and small groups. I want to see students and young adults join in fellowship with each other, develop their personal faith and commit to belonging to a church family.

Anything you’re nervous about?
This role is a new venture for me, I have lots of ideas for what I would like to do and I know this is where I am meant to be, but I’m still nervous about how it’s all going to turn out.

How can we pray & support you best?
As I said, this role is new for me, so please pray that God would guide me to do what he wants me to do. Also please pray for Leone as she starts her second year of uni and all of the new changes are not too overwhelming for us both.

We are really looking forward to organising this event for international students again which we run for over 10 years! It is an event for Bristol International Student Centre (BISC) and students can book their places on their website HERE.

Thursday 11 October @ 7pm
Learn about British Culture, meet British people and sample delicious UK food to get A Taste of the UK. The evening includes a cooked meal, soft drinks and light entertainment. Enjoy good fun in a relaxed atmosphere. Return transport from BISC @ 6.30pm, if required. Venue: Ebenezer Church, 286 Filton Avenue, BS7 0BA. Costs £4. BOOK and pay SOON at BISC or UWE (The Octagon, Frenchay)!

Photos from our previous 'Taste of the UK' events

The Discipleship Year is for those aged 18-24, and is for dynamic, committed and teachable young adults who are looking to grow as committed disciples and serve Jesus and his Kingdom.

Have a watch of this video, & find out more here: www.ebe.org.uk/nwdy