A sea of students singing praises at this year’s AFES National Training Event

Before going on National Training Event last week, 22-year-old Aaron Strickleton would’ve described himself as terrified of public speaking, and was a self-confessed walk-up evangelism phobe.

But being made to give his testimony in front of 1600 people and spending hours talking to two blokes on the streets of Canberra late one night has changed that forever.

Struggling without a job, the osteopathy student from Lismore Southern Cross University almost didn’t come on NTE because of the cost. Amazingly, his church pitched in and funded his transport to Canberra and accommodation on site.

NTE is a conference run in Canberra by the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, with the aim of training university students from across Australia in handling the Bible before sending them out to do mission in churches around the country. It’s an intensive five days of in depth bible studies, seminars and talks, this year by William Taylor of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, London.

Aaron says the conference, all about ‘The Last Days’, changed the way he sees God at work in the world.

Aaron Stickelton being interviewed about his testimony by Paddy Benn from Sydney Uni EU. Credit: David Johnstone.

“I was convicted about what God has given us, which is opportunities in every relationship, whether it be ones we’ve had with family or friends for a long time, or brief relationships with strangers, that we are called to spread his word to every nation.”

The night after he shared his testimony in front of the enormous crowd, Aaron was invited by a fellow student to come into the city to people about Jesus. The fact it was 10 o’clock on a Monday night in Canberra had him slightly doubtful. But three hours later, he was bursting with the joy of being able to have hour-long conversations with two men about judgement, and faith in Christ. He left with both men’s numbers and a new zeal for evangelism.

“It was 1AM and I couldn’t sleep. I was buzzing. I never thought that would’ve ever happened on a Monday night in Canberra. My first time ever evangelising.”

“I had to tell William Taylor the next day who just said, ‘Get some sleep Aaron.’”

Aaron took William’s advice, and survived the conference and five-day mission in Wollongong which followed.

For most students, NTE is an opportunity to put their faith in to practice. But for a small number, it’s the place they come to put their faith in Jesus for the first time. As part of the conference, there is a special program for non-Christians, called strand 101. There’s also a parallel strand group for international students exploring Christianity.

Coco Hu, an international student from China, is part of Cross Cultures, Melbourne University’s international student ministry. Until last week, she’d only learnt about Jesus, but wouldn’t have called herself a Christian.

It wasn’t until she attended a global mission information session on NTE, where the missions display didn’t include China, that she realised she already believed in Jesus.

“I felt sad, because our country has such a large population. But our people don’t get the chance to hear the good news, the chance to repent and be with Jesus Christ.”

“Later during the lunch time, I suddenly realised I can go back to do missionary work, but how can I share the gospel with my people without myself becoming a Christian? And only at that time, did I realise actually, I have already take Jesus Christ as my Lord and saviour.”

Coco says NTE will always be a special conference for her.

“I will treasure my experience at NTE forever. I hope I am able to come next year, the year after that and even take my kids if God gives me the chance to be a Mum!”

Featured image credit: David Johnstone