College Mission

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1947

College Mission - 1947

The Hastings Church made its plans for evangelism early in the year. A student mission was arranged through the Baptist College. Students R. J. Thompson and J. McFadyen volunteered for the work.

The first week was to be devoted to a children's mission—a Children's Happy Week, it was called. The second week was to be spent visiting organisations within the church at their regular times of meeting and with public preaching services on three week evenings.

In preparation, a week of visitation was arranged when church members and adherents would visit every home linked with the church in any way with a view to interesting all within these homes in the services the students were conducting. The visitation of homes was faithfully carried out by our people.

Children's Week was a splendid success. In spite of some showery weather, an average of 70 children gathered daily. As an invitation to these meetings was extended only to our own children, those attending were already definitely linked with the church through S.S., B.B., G. L.B., or Life Boys.

Services on the first Sunday were devoted to stimulating Christian people to fuller consecration and service. A Youth Rally on the second Sunday afternoon explained to young people the principles of growth in the Christian life. At the first Gospel meeting of the Campaign (second Sunday evening), two young men witnessed before the congregation to their decision for full surrender.

There were not large attendances at the week-night preaching services—an average of 50 a night. But Christ was preached in a quiet and forceful way. God spoke to many hearts, and after each service there were those who sought instruction in the important matters of dedication, baptism, and church membership.

A feature of the work of the College men was their visitation of youth organisations. Where these visits did not result in immediate decision, quite often they provided a valuable opportunity for personal contact, which later led to real spiritual blessing.

On the final Sunday both services were devoted to evangelism. In the evening, as on the previous Sunday, two men came forward in confession of their decision to follow Christ. Our missioners, Messrs. R. J. Thompson and J. McFadyen, did splendid work. The spiritual life of the Church is deepened, workers have been encouraged by the response to Christ's appeal, and a group of eager young Christians is awaiting baptism. The College men have impressed by their spirituality, sincerity, and competence. J. RUSSELL GRAVE. (July)