Students

Since the appointment of a full time youth worker in September 2009 ministry to students from the Keynsham Parish has become an area of increasing focus.

The organisation studentlinkup (a wing of 'fusion') provide resources that can be used to help prepare young people for University and to support them in a number of ways to ensure that their Christian faith is nurtured during their time away studying.  It is also important to seek to support young people who remain in the church community and attend a local University, a scenario that is becoming increasingly popular with the increasing cost of gaining a degree level qualification.

The ministry of Fusion emerged in 1997 as a response to a shared vision across the body of Christ to address the challenges of a changing student world.

Fusion seek to work in three strands;

1. Working with students - facilitating mission, evangelism and discipleship primarily through
local churches

2. Working with churches - catalysing and helping to build local church-based student work

3. Working with student workers - training and resourcing all those involved in student ministry.

All information taken from the studentlinkup website.

Studentlinkup produce a school leaver pack that the Parish purchase for each young person leaving for University as a gift.  Costing £10 it includes;

1. An introduction to studentlinkup and what it has to offer you.

2. A copy of the ‘the student alphabet: an A-Z for starting uni’
(A new book featuring 100’s of tips, comments, stories and advice on Starting Uni.)

3. A copy of ‘Student Scape’
(A new book to help you grow with God and face the challenges and opportunities of the student world.)

4. Fuse magazine
(Our latest magazine featuring news, stories, useful features from the student world and churches around the country.)

5. studentlinkup card
(an easy way to find a church at your new university)

6. Order form for further resources

7. A fusion pen
(because everybody loves free pens!)

These packs can be purchased direct from studentlinkup.




Young people are also encouraged to explore the
book 'Fresh' by Krish Kandiah - an interactive
five week course designed for young people to
complete individually in the first five weeks of
their University career.





In addition to this resource a number of localised initiatives and ideas are waiting to be developed through the academic year 2009-2010, including;

1. A University Preparation Cell Group meeting once a month in the year prior to University.

2. Vacation Activities to bring students back to their 'home' community.

3. Regular personal interaction (through Youth Worker)

4. Facebook connections

5. Regular mailing of church news including newsletters and Parish magazines to students.

6. Personal Invitiations to term time and vacational events of interest to individuals.

7. The development of this website content to allow young people to readily access information concerning activities in the Parish for themselves.

The aims of this area of ministry are essentially;

To prepare young people physically, mentally and spiritually for their time at university.

To offer support at a time when things seem to be uncontrollable.

To assist young people with some practicalities of moving away such as finding a church and connecting with other Christians.

To commit to supporting and praying for these young people as a church both while they are away & when they return home.

To support the families of those moving away to University.

For more information please contact Dan Crouch (Youth Worker) ddcrouch@hotmail.com 07890569534