Fiona Steward developed a burden for France during her studies there as part of a French degree. The Lord subsequently confirmed His call to the student ministry in Bordeaux through a placement which was part of her studies at the Evangelical Theological College of Wales (2001-2004). She then spent a year working among students for the Heath Evangelical Church. In November 2005 she was sent out by her home church, ‘Great Whyte Baptist’ in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire under the auspices of UFM Worldwide and in association with the Grace Baptist Mission.
Fiona strongly believes in the strategic nature of student work. Student years are the most formative, so it is vital that this future generation hears the gospel when it is most open to it. Fiona believes in reaching the students where they are, so part of her work involves cold contact evangelism, mainly through questionnaires, on the university campus in Bordeaux. This provides opportunities for discussion, friendship evangelism and one-to-one Bible studies.
She also teaches English through the Bible which draws all kinds of students. Although French students are the priority, those of other nationalities can be particularly receptive to the gospel so an international café is provided for them on a Friday night. Discipleship of Christian students through prayer, Bible study and service is another vital part of the work, so that they in turn can grow to be effective witnesses for Christ.
A rented ground-floor office in the centre of Bordeaux is used as a base for the work. Students can drop in to chat, pray, study or use the internet. There is a large meeting room which caters for Bible studies, prayer meetings and various evangelistic events. A yearly mission is also run in connection with UBM (Mission Vacances). Fiona has been working with a team of UFM missionaries: Carol Liddiard, who pioneered the work there in 2002 but who has now retired, and Alan and Pat Davey and their two children who came in 2005 to work mainly with the church and partly with the students.
Ben and Liz Griffin and their three children also came to Bordeaux in 2007 to learn French with a view to serving in the Ivory Coast. In the meantime, they too are helping with the student and church work. The team attends a local Evangelical church (pastor: Dik Brienen) with whom they work in partnership in reaching out to some of the one hundred thousand students in Bordeaux, most of whom have never heard of salvation through Jesus Christ. Please pray that many, especially French, would hear and be saved.
The Lord has provided short-term workers to help Fiona in the student ministry, notably Liz Richards (studying French and Spanish at Liverpool university) who is currently doing a 5 month placement in Bordeaux for which Fiona is delighted! She encourages any with an interest in mission in France whether long or short-term to consider Bordeaux as a gap year, language placement or with Mission Vacances for example and to enquire via her mission; UFM Worldwide: ufm@ufm.org.uk. There is much need for more workers!
