At the end of June, 120 students, staff, and guests travelled to Queenstown for TSCF’s annual student Summit-
the biggest we’ve had in over a decade!
Our theme, “Meeting Jesus in Mark’s Gospel”, was also our major prayer. Through gathering to open God’s word, as well as our lives and our campus groups to one another, we wanted students to meet Jesus, and then return to their respective campuses equipped and inspired to help others do the same.
Ben Carswell, TSCF’s National Director, delivered the main talks from key passages in Mark’s Gospel, covering the identity, mission, challenge, and call of Jesus, framed by Jesus’ own question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29). This question became the steady drumbeat through all the week’s activities, from workshops to student panels to sung worship.
Wish you had been there? Friends, you can come too! What follows is an attempt to (retrospectively) fly you all to Queenstown, so you can enjoy the sights and sounds with us and absorb some our students’ reflections on the week.
The beginning of the good news
We’ve arrived. Weariness from early flights and long drives soon gives way to wonder, as panoramic mountains set the scene for a familiar lyric: “Indescribable, uncontainable!” How good it is to hear the Fellowship in full voice! The mihi whakatau (formal welcome) lifts our gaze higher still, to the Matariki star cluster, a new season, and the God who created and sustains all things. And we sing, “You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name!”
“Singing together while God’s magnificence as Creator was on display right out the window was a taste of heaven! I was encouraged by meeting so many people transformed by Jesus and who were boldly sharing the good news on their campuses!” – Danielle
Ben brings us to Mark’s Gospel, “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). Ben’s encouragement is to meet this Jesus and to heed His call: “‘Come, follow me,’Jesus said” (Mark 1:17).
“This year was the first time I’d been to Summit, and a big highlight for me were the talks. It was really encouraging, during a busy university year, to dive into the Gospel of Mark and be struck by who Jesus is, and the sacrifice he has made that transforms how I live. It was also awesome to connect with students from across the country and hear the ways God was working through them to share the gospel on campus, even when it was hard.” – Ann
Snowballs and student mission
The sun sets over white peaks, throwing a purple blanket over the Wakatipu Basin. The lake is still. Students are back from their afternoon adventures, swapping stories of snowball fights, the Skyline luge, and the famed Fergburger.
Everyone now piles into the meeting hall. Four student panellists wait in the glow of fairy lights. Perched on couches, they ready themselves to speak on the highs and lows of sharing Christ on campus.
Meanwhile, a Lincoln lad gets the hot chocolate going in a giant pot on the stove. And before long, steaming mugs warm the hands of students around the room, as the panel continues with refreshing honesty.
“Before Summit, 1-1 Bible studies were tough-going, with little success. But Summit reminded me of how good and powerful the gospel of Jesus is, and I was encouraged to press on. Maybe not everyone will say yes to reading the Bible with me, but someone will. Now, back at uni, I’m seeing the power of the gospel work as I meet with a new friend to read Mark together. I can see the work of the Lord in his heart.”
– Sam
“I was initially sceptical about Summit’s emphasis on 1-1 Bible reading; that’s way too intimidating! However, another student threw me a question: ‘What would be less intimidating for an unbelieving friend: going to a church full of people he doesn’t know, or meeting 1-1 with a mate?’ Stumped by this, I ended up asking my mate if he’d be willing to study the Gospel of Mark together. Spoiler alert: we’re on our third week now and we’ve both been enjoying it!”
– Daniel
It doesn’t end here
We’ve reached the final morning, when students begin to wonder whether all[1]night boardgames and music jams were sensible ideas. In any case, campers begin to stumble out of their now tidied bunkrooms, dragging suitcases behind them.
We gather once more. Our time of sung worship is full-hearted, though textured by a few more hoarse voices. It’s good to stop and pray, thankful for new connections and learning from the week, but also to pray for the weeks and months ahead. That’s Ben’s final challenge too; it doesn’t end here. And he invites each of us to consider our response to Jesus and to go and share this with others.
“The community at Summit was awesome. I met so many people who were exploring faith in Jesus, as well as believers. I was able to learn so much about Jesus and what it looks like to follow him. I even learned how to pray.”
– Ting-Wei
“Summit was fantastic! Aswell as being in Queenstown, my biggest highlight was meeting and learning from students from all around the country. We all face similar challenges, but coming together like this gives me hope that we can keep striving together, supporting each other in faith and in our mission to introduce Jesus to others.”
– Josiah
While the South Islanders fill cars in convoys headed home, the North Islanders wait for their flights to be called and they spill their thoughts on the week. In the din of Queenstown Airport, one student shares that he’s come to believe in Jesus and wants to follow him. A staff-worker and another student help to lead this young man in prayer, and others join in celebrating by adding their names to a small memento. It doesn’t end here…
Josh Irving
Auckland Team Leader