Give

Give to a worker

  • Give
    A
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Adam and Avril Friend
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Adam and Helane Ramsay
    East Asia • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Adrian and Anita Lovell
    Bolivia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    AL (Mentac)
    Australia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Amy Stephens
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    AN (Mentac)
    Australia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Andrew and Margie Newman
    Africa • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Andrew Buchanan and Abi Tandiseru
    Indonesia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Anna Radkovic
    Africa • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Anthony and Trudi Elyard
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Anwar and Tsigereda
    Africa • VIC Branch
  • Give
    B
    Middle East • WA Branch
  • Give
    Bill and Linda Colyer
    The Pacific • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Brenton and Mel Kilby
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Bruce and Libby Hayes
    Nepal • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Bryan and Sarah Haro Leon
    Ecuador • TAS Branch
  • Give
    C
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Chenny Thie
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Erin
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Grace Adams
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Julie Dean
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Karen Webb
    Broome • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Chris and Kristy Galea
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Stef Overhall
    Chile • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Colin and Catherine Puffett
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Craig and Lisse
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    D (mentac)
  • Give
    D and T
    Asia • SANT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Dan and Erina Sawyer
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Dan and Marg
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Daniel and Olivia Webster
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    David and Beck McIntyre
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    David and Cathie Sandifer
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    David and Jennifer Juniper
    Africa • WA Branch
  • Give
    Dene and Rachel Hughes
    East Asia • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Derek and Rosemary Snibson
    Darwin • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Derk and Susan
    South Asia • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    E
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Elizabeth
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Elle Bryce
    East Asia • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Emma Payne
    Europe • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Gavin and Megan Rosser
    Jordan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Gillian Akers
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Gillian Law
    Europe • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Grant and Alison Gallant
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Howard and Trisha Spencer
    Belgium • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    I
    South East Asia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Ian and Jenny Wood
    Darwin • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    J
    South East Asia • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    J and A
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    J and P
    Eurasia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    J and S
    Central Asia • QNNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Jason and Hannah Fairclough
    Europe • WA Branch
  • Give
    Je
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Jeremy and Jill Horrocks
    Cambodia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jim and Tanja French
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jo
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Joel and Tiffanie Atwood
    The Pacific • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    John and Deb
    Middle East • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Jon and Deborah
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Josh and Nici
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Josh and Steph Mackenzie
    North Australia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Josh and Susannah Apieczonek
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jotham Booker
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Julie
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    K
    South Asia • TAS Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    K
    South East Asia • SANT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Karina Brabham
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Keith and Marion Birchley
    Papua New Guinea • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Kellie Nicholas
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Klaus and Jude Hickel
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Kylie Zietsch
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    L
    Middle East • VIC Branch
  • Give
    L and C
    South East Asia • QNNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Lachlan and Candy Grice
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Lachlan and Zaneta Neal
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Lauren Raiter
    Europe • VIC Branch
  • Give
    M
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    M
    Middle East • SANT Branch
  • Give
    M (QNNSW)
    Middle East • QNNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    M and K
    South Asia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Maggie Crewes
    North Australia • SANT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Malcolm and Ainsley Purdey
    Chile • SANT Branch
  • Give
    Malcolm and Leanne
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Martin and Julie Field
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Marty and Jenny Foord
    Singapore • WA Branch
  • Give
    Matt and Bex Ooi
    East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Matt and Lisa Pearson
    Gunbalanya • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Matthew and Ellen Tyler
    The Pacific • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Maurice and Amanda Jacobson
    Cambodia • TAS Branch
  • Give
    Michael and Jean Burke
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Michael and Rani Grivas-Allison
    Belgium • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Mike and Karen Roe
    Africa • SANT Branch
  • Give
    Mike and Katie Taylor
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Miriam Bradshaw
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Morgan and Olivia
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    N and R
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Na
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Nathan and Diane Lovell
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nathan and Maki Clapham
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Ned Gifford
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nick and Kysha Davies
    Latin America • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Pedro and Joy Oliveira Woolmer
    Latin America • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Peter and Terry Blowes
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    R
    Eurasia • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Ray and Sandy
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Rebekah
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Rowan
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Ryan and Lynne Verghese
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    S and D
    Central Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    S and E
    South Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    S and M
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    S and P
    Middle East • WA Branch
  • Give
    Sam and Bec Gorfine
    North Australia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Sam and Shan-Shan Chrisp
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Sam and Sharmila Budhathoki
    Nepal • WA Branch
  • Give
    Simon and Jessica Cowell
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Stephanie Hawkins
    St Andrew's Hall • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Steven and Sandra Parsons
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Taulama Siuhengalu
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Tim and Olivia Mulherin
    Cambodia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Tony and Yenli Nguyen
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    W and S
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Yumin
    South East Asia • TAS Branch

General Worker Support

Select a Branch

Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.

NSW & ACT

QNNSW

SANT

TAS

VIC

WA

Tax-deductible Workers and Projects

Select a Branch

Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.

NSW & ACT

QNNSW

SANT

TAS

VIC

WA

Give to a Campaign

Select a Branch

Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.

NSW & ACT

QNNSW

SANT

TAS

VIC

WA

  • Give
    Ramsay Schooling
    QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • WA Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • WA Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    WA Branch
  • Give
    QNNSW CoMP
    QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    QNNSW Regular Giving
    QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Lasting Hope Appeal
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Lasting Hope Appeal
    Tax Deductible • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Lasting Hope Appeal
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Lasting Hope Appeal
    WA Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Missionary Accommodation Project
    VIC Branch
  • Give
    Christmas Appeal
    Tax Deductible • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Nuts & Bolts
    VIC Branch
  • Give
    Leon's Flight Home
    VIC Branch
  • Give
    NSW Summer School 2025
    NSW & ACT Branch
Your Gift
View Your Gift
Please select a frequency
  • • Branch

Give to another worker from

  • Give
    A
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Adam and Avril Friend
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Adam and Helane Ramsay
    East Asia • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Adrian and Anita Lovell
    Bolivia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    AL (Mentac)
    Australia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Amy Stephens
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    AN (Mentac)
    Australia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Andrew and Margie Newman
    Africa • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Andrew Buchanan and Abi Tandiseru
    Indonesia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Anna Radkovic
    Africa • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Anthony and Trudi Elyard
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Anwar and Tsigereda
    Africa • VIC Branch
  • Give
    B
    Middle East • WA Branch
  • Give
    Bill and Linda Colyer
    The Pacific • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Brenton and Mel Kilby
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Bruce and Libby Hayes
    Nepal • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Bryan and Sarah Haro Leon
    Ecuador • TAS Branch
  • Give
    C
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Chenny Thie
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Erin
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Grace Adams
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Julie Dean
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Karen Webb
    Broome • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Chris and Kristy Galea
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Stef Overhall
    Chile • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Colin and Catherine Puffett
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Craig and Lisse
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    D (mentac)
  • Give
    D and T
    Asia • SANT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Dan and Erina Sawyer
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Dan and Marg
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Daniel and Olivia Webster
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    David and Beck McIntyre
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    David and Cathie Sandifer
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    David and Jennifer Juniper
    Africa • WA Branch
  • Give
    Dene and Rachel Hughes
    East Asia • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Derek and Rosemary Snibson
    Darwin • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Derk and Susan
    South Asia • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    E
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Elizabeth
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Elle Bryce
    East Asia • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Emma Payne
    Europe • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Gavin and Megan Rosser
    Jordan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Gillian Akers
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Gillian Law
    Europe • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Grant and Alison Gallant
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Howard and Trisha Spencer
    Belgium • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    I
    South East Asia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Ian and Jenny Wood
    Darwin • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    J
    South East Asia • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    J and A
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    J and P
    Eurasia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    J and S
    Central Asia • QNNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Jason and Hannah Fairclough
    Europe • WA Branch
  • Give
    Je
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Jeremy and Jill Horrocks
    Cambodia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jim and Tanja French
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jo
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Joel and Tiffanie Atwood
    The Pacific • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    John and Deb
    Middle East • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Jon and Deborah
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Josh and Nici
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Josh and Steph Mackenzie
    North Australia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Josh and Susannah Apieczonek
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jotham Booker
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Julie
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    K
    South Asia • TAS Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    K
    South East Asia • SANT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Karina Brabham
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Keith and Marion Birchley
    Papua New Guinea • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Kellie Nicholas
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Klaus and Jude Hickel
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Kylie Zietsch
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    L
    Middle East • VIC Branch
  • Give
    L and C
    South East Asia • QNNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Lachlan and Candy Grice
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Lachlan and Zaneta Neal
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Lauren Raiter
    Europe • VIC Branch
  • Give
    M
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    M
    Middle East • SANT Branch
  • Give
    M (QNNSW)
    Middle East • QNNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    M and K
    South Asia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Maggie Crewes
    North Australia • SANT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Malcolm and Ainsley Purdey
    Chile • SANT Branch
  • Give
    Malcolm and Leanne
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Martin and Julie Field
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Marty and Jenny Foord
    Singapore • WA Branch
  • Give
    Matt and Bex Ooi
    East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Matt and Lisa Pearson
    Gunbalanya • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Matthew and Ellen Tyler
    The Pacific • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Maurice and Amanda Jacobson
    Cambodia • TAS Branch
  • Give
    Michael and Jean Burke
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Michael and Rani Grivas-Allison
    Belgium • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Mike and Karen Roe
    Africa • SANT Branch
  • Give
    Mike and Katie Taylor
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Miriam Bradshaw
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Morgan and Olivia
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    N and R
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Na
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Nathan and Diane Lovell
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nathan and Maki Clapham
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Ned Gifford
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nick and Kysha Davies
    Latin America • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Pedro and Joy Oliveira Woolmer
    Latin America • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Peter and Terry Blowes
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    R
    Eurasia • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Ray and Sandy
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Rebekah
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Rowan
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Ryan and Lynne Verghese
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    S and D
    Central Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    S and E
    South Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    S and M
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    S and P
    Middle East • WA Branch
  • Give
    Sam and Bec Gorfine
    North Australia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Sam and Shan-Shan Chrisp
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Sam and Sharmila Budhathoki
    Nepal • WA Branch
  • Give
    Simon and Jessica Cowell
    Europe • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Stephanie Hawkins
    St Andrew's Hall • QNNSW Branch
  • Give
    Steven and Sandra Parsons
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Taulama Siuhengalu
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Tim and Olivia Mulherin
    Cambodia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Tony and Yenli Nguyen
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    W and S
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Yumin
    South East Asia • TAS Branch

General Worker Support

Tax-deductible Workers and Projects

Give to a Campaign

  • Give
    Ramsay Schooling
    QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • WA Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • WA Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    WA Branch
  • Give
    QNNSW CoMP
    QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    QNNSW Regular Giving
    QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Lasting Hope Appeal
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Lasting Hope Appeal
    Tax Deductible • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Lasting Hope Appeal
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Lasting Hope Appeal
    WA Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Missionary Accommodation Project
    VIC Branch
  • Give
    Christmas Appeal
    Tax Deductible • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Nuts & Bolts
    VIC Branch
  • Give
    Leon's Flight Home
    VIC Branch
  • Give
    NSW Summer School 2025
    NSW & ACT Branch
Total Gift

$0 / Month

Continue
10 November 2021

Checkpoint Summer 2021: What Jesus has done for me


CMS missionaries Simon and Jess Cowell are serving in Bari, Italy, discipling university students. Simon and Jess reflect on witnessing to the revolutionary truth of what Jesus has done in meeting both religious and secular thinking with the gospel of grace.

The threat of legalism

Italy is steeped in spiritual legalism. Almost all Italians, even those who are not observantly Catholic, have a legalistic mindset, where people must do things in order to be acceptable to God. Even in the evangelical church, where there are some severe reactions against Catholicism, legalism is a constant threat.

The danger for any Christian group, including the groups we are part of in Italy, is that a certain set of behaviours become the definition—when what we do (or don’t do) is what sets us apart. At one level this is a good thing. The Scriptures exhort us to be distinctive in our conduct. We are no longer to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). And yet it’s not our conduct that defines us as Christians. It is the Lord Jesus himself. We are rightly called Christians, those who belong to Christ. He is our distinctive, and everything else flows from that, including our moral performance (see Ephesians 2:8-10). We have the joy (and challenge) of embodying the grace of Jesus in all our relationships.

…a real Christian would supposedly never have a tattoo, or struggle with certain sins…

We’ve had conversations with a dear brother from our church who was (and perhaps still is) convinced that if someone doesn’t explicitly follow Jesus, they will still be saved by God if they are a ‘good person’ and ‘do the right thing’. Yet at the same time, he would say that a real Christian would supposedly never have a tattoo, or
struggle with certain sins (especially around sexuality). This is also a very popular opinion amongst university students, most of whom have never read the Bible for
themselves and have the same legalistic assumptions as the rest of their culture.

Discovering Jesus

One of the joys of GBU ministry is inviting non-Christian students to read the Bible and discover for themselves who Jesus really is. Last year Martina* was invited along to one of our GBU Bible studies, where we just happened to be reading Ephesians together. Martina saw all religions as being fundamentally the same: telling people to be good. We had the chance to let her see for herself in the Scriptures, that the gospel of grace is the exact opposite of that—that instead of telling you
what to DO, the gospel tells you what Jesus has DONE for you. It speaks of his love and care, of his sacrificial death so that we might be the beloved children of God. We continue to pray for Martina, and for the numerous other students like her who think God is severe, judgmental and distant without any understanding of his mercy and grace.

GO

Do you have a heart to share the good news of grace with young people? There are opportunities for gospel workers to support high school and university ministries in several locations. Contact your local branch to find out more.

*Name changed for privacy reasons