CORE

VALUES
- BA CK TO BASICS-

PREMA FENN

UESI Publication Trust

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 Introduction
A former EU member, now married with two grown
up children, says that the values and principles
she still holds precious were received from her times
of fellowship, sharing and praying with graduates and
staffworkers.
“Today is my Salvation complete,” declared a young
graduate from the North on visiting the UESI Office
at Chennai for the first time. Such is the sense of
belonging and gratitude members of UESI family have
for the movement which has built them up.
“Truly our UESI family is something precious to God. I
hope we can treasure it carefully for many years to come.
. . let me encourage you as the leaders to zealously guard
the tradition of loving care for each other and the team
leadership which gave birth to UESI. . . “ wrote a former
missionary staffworker years ago to UESI leaders.
Corporates too have their own core values. But their
focus will be on the final outcome – turn out of the
products for the company. But the means by which they
achieve this goal will vary. UESI is people-oriented.
The focus of the Core Values will be on the care of

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 and building up
the members of
Core Values give the movement.
qualitative identity The means used to
and inner focus for achieve this goal
an organization in are always biblical.
its outward working Definition of Core
for its mission and Values
goals. These values are Core Values are
caught rather than those unspoken,
being taught. unwritten truths
or principles which
are the hallmarks of
life and ministry of an organization. They are intrinsic,
inherent factors, essential and enduring tenets, beliefs
of an organization. They are the fundamental guiding
principles for which an organization stands and is
known for.
They stand the test of time and members come to a
realization of these values as they work together.
No compromise can be made on them under any
circumstance.
Origin of Core Values
UESI came into existence at a crucial time. The founders
of UESI while praying for students in India realized that
the students should be clearly taught that salvation
8
is only through new birth and through the cleansing
blood of Jesus Christ. This gave them the burden to
pray for a student movement which would not only
teach students that salvation is through the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ but would also build them
up through the systematic teaching of the Word.
Along with this burden the Core Values also emerged as
a concern and were practised by the founding fathers
and pioneers of the movement. These values are our
living out of what we believe. UESI, as a movement of
God’s people, has lived out these core values since its
inception, enabled by the grace and power of God.
These values were not thrust on UESI by others or other
movements from overseas. They are for building up
young believing students and making and presenting
them mature in Christ (Col. 1:28). The nature and call
of UESI demands the emphasizing and practising of
these values.
Relevance of Core Values to student ministry
Ò live in a society with changing values. Campus
ÒWe
scene changes every year.
Ò is easy to drift along with popular and immediate
ÒIt
demands. Instant satisfaction is the goal of many.
Therefore, right and lasting values/disciplines have to
be imparted.
Ò
ÒQuality leadership is a great need in UESI, Church
and society.
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 Ò this present fast age of communication, individual
ÒIn
care needs to be demonstrated and emphasized.
Ò
ÒThere is a need to combat cults and false teaching.
Ò
ÒToday’s lifestyle places an enormous stress on
married life leading to lack of communication, conflicts
and affecting relationship with God and family.
Ò
ÒCore Values build up students in the right way. The
student watch the leaders as these values are lived out.

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 1
CENTRALITY OF THE
SCRIPTURES
G od’s Word, the touchstone, provides the standard
and light for life and ministry and helps form a
Christian mind and lifestyle. The central place given
to the Scriptures, and accepting its supreme authority
in all matters of faith and conduct mark UESI as an
evangelical movement along with other student
movements of IFES (2 Tim. 3: 16-17). Being evangelical
means emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning
death of Jesus through personal conviction, the
authority of Scripture, and the importance of
preaching the Word and obedience to it.
Rev. John Stott’s support to and standing with IFES
movements was due to the central place given to the
Word of God by them.
The Bible is an ancient and yet an amazing Book.
The writings cover a wide span of history - from the
primitive nomadic civilization of the Ancient Near East
to the highly civilized and sophisticated first century
Roman world. The Bible is essentially a revelation of
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God – a divine self-disclosure in a concrete historical
and geographical setting. The supreme purpose of the
Bible is not scientific or literary or philosophical, but to
lead people to salvation in Christ and life abundance.
The Bible reflects all God’s qualities. It is holy,
infallible, everlasting (1 Pet. 1.23-25) and trustworthy.
It has originality, authority and unity. It is inspired,
God-breathed. It portrays honestly the shortcomings
in the lives of great men of faith like Abraham, Moses
and David.
In spite of the many authors and the long period of
time taken to write all the 66 books of the Bible,
there is an amazing unity in the message because God
Himself is the author (2 Pet. 1:20-21) and there are no
contradictions in the truth revealed.
The Bible has been translated into more languages
than any other book in the world at any time and is the
bestseller of all times. It is as absolute as it is timeless.
It is the only Book which can be read and enjoyed by
all classes and age groups. God in His Sovereignty
has preserved the Bible though many rulers tried to
destroy it. The impact of the Bible on nations and
people is beyond computation.
God Himself has commanded us to study His Word
(Josh. 1.8). It is the only way to gain knowledge of
salvation and to grow in faith (1 Pet. 2.12). Scripture
is the ultimate authority in all matters concerning
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our belief and behaviour. Only by a diligent study of
the Scriptures can we become complete, equipped for
every good work’ (2 Tim. 3.16,17).
The UESI members have been taught and encouraged
to have regular Quiet Time. In addition they have been
taught the Word and trained to study the Word in
depth and teach others too (Ezra 7.10).
Systematic teaching of basic Christian truths and
nurturing of young believers through Group Bible
Study (GBS) in the EUs, EGFs, hostels, on campus and
in homes have equipped students over the years.
A great deal of emphasis is given to both PBS (Personal
Bible Study) and GBS in UESI. Members should know
what they believe, why they believe and how to study
and meditate the Word (2 Tim. 2:15). Lack of systematic
study of the Word in general in EUs and EGFs is a
matter of concern. Also an indepth study of the Word
of God is a must. Importance is given to biblical truth
as well as the formulation of a Christian mind and
lifestyle reflecting the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Amidst false teachings that is rampant, it is imperative
to study the Scriptures carefully so that we are not
swayed by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4.14).
Ours is the day of abuse! Have you heard of ‘biblical
abuse’ as Charles Swindoll puts it – being deceived
by the improper use of Scripture? People who are
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sincere, who are theologically trained and even those
who believe in the inerrancy of Scripture and affirm
the importance of sound doctrine, can be guilty of
biblical abuse. Our problem is not lack of Bibles, we
have numerous copies of the Bible and many different
versions or paraphrases of the Scriptures. But our
problem is lack of people who treat the Word of God
right in private and in public. We need not only to be
students of Scriptures but also careful interpreters
of the Scripture. We find problems of biblical abuse
mentioned often in the NT.
“There can be no more reliable authority on the earth
than God’s Word, the Bible. This timeless, trustworthy
source of truth holds the key that unlocks life’s
mysteries. It alone provides us with the shelter we
need in times of storm.” (Charles Swindoll).

Questions for Reflection

1. What is the goal of your Bible study?
2. What are the pre-requisites and consequences of living in
accordance with God’s Word?
3. In what specific ways is God’s Word making a difference
in your relationship with others?
4. Why is your mental understanding so important to your
faith?
5. How might you appropriately and effectively share
Scripture with someone in need this week?
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 2
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
R elationship with God is to have an intimate
fellowship with God all through the day in all
the things we do, say or think. The quality of our
intimacy with God will be reflected and lived out in
our attitude and quality of our relationship to others.
Our relationship to Christ and the Word of God should
so permeate our lives that our thinking and action will
always be biblical and the impact will be seen by those
from other faiths.
Mahatma Gandhi was
exposed to Christianity
For a Christian,
both in India and South
lifestyle matters, not
Africa. He admired some merely the right
of Jesus’ teachings, words. The total
especially the Sermon teaching and example
on the Mount. After of Jesus Christ
watching Christians for demand a lifestyle
that is noticeable to
some years, he sadly
the average person.
remarked that for him to
believe in their Redeemer,
he must see that their lives were redeemed.

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We have good examples from our own graduates,
staff and pioneers as to how their relationship with
God helped them to honour God and put Him first in
their workplaces while facing humiliation and threats.
Some have received appreciation for their honesty
and hardwork from their non-Christian colleagues
and superiors. Prof. Enoch’s famous exhortation was,
The nearer you are to the Word of God, the surer you are.
Our sense of identity is built early on in life and is
influenced through out our lives by many factors.
Knowing Jesus Christ personally gives us a new identity
(Rom. 8.14-17; 2 Cor. 5.17; 1 Pet. 2.9,10; 1 Jn 3.1). While
our roots, culture and relationships are important in
informing our perception of ourselves, ultimately it is
our identity in Christ that should shape us as to who
we are, what we believe in and how we behave.
God graciously continues to open up His Word,
providing fresh insights. Many a time we struggle to
relate what we read in the Bible to the problems we
face in everyday life.
One of the most effective ways of growing in our
intimacy with Jesus is having a regular, systematic
Quiet Time, devotion or Bible study and prayer. It
has never been easy for many of us. We face many
demands from family, work, friends, running a home
and ministry obligations. As a result, we have little
time left to be alone with God.
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Quiet Time is a portion of our day set apart to commune
with God alone, to study the Scriptures, to listen to His
still small voice, to apply the Word to our day to day
life, to offer praise and worship to God and to pray.
We often ask one another, ‘How is your quiet time?’ But
by that we do not mean the frequency of or diligence
in reading the Scripture. In fact we want to know
what has been happening in our personal encounter
with God – Is there a sense of worship or a sense of
deadness? It is possible to be blind to the presence of
God. When this happens, quiet time becomes just a
formality. Scripture becomes a book of principles and
prayer a shopping list of things God is supposed to do.
Some of us may look at quiet time as a chore, as a duty,
for psychological satisfaction, to impress our family
members, spouse or room-mate. Our attitude needs to
be ‘I long to, I want to meet with God’ and not that ‘I
have to.’ Quiet Times are so much more than a duty.
It is a divine encounter where God Himself is eagerly
waiting to meet with us. Sensing the presence of God
is a matter of relationship. There is a connection that
is much deeper than when we talk to each other.
We need to long for God and His Word and take time
to be alone with Him to renew our love relationship
with Him. We can never enjoy His presence or hear
His still small voice when we go to Him with the mind-
set of our busy activities or preoccupations, however
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important they are. God’s Word is not information,
but for transformation. Transformation does not come
overnight. We need unhurried time in the presence of
the Lord preferably in silence to reflect and meditate
on His Word. It is not easy to be quiet or silent before
the Lord. We tend to feel restless when we have to be
quiet and turn to music or books or chatting. This kind
of time alone with God needs to be cultivated.
It is a useful practice to keep a spiritual journal or note
book to record what we receive from God through
the Scriptures, to record our prayers and answers
received from God. It will be a wonderful experience
to go through the
journal after a month
God’s presence gives
strength for living. The or six months and see
presence of God with how we have met with
us is not only for our God and with ourselves
benefit; other believers during our time alone
too will sense a depth with Him.
and difference about
our lives that induces Along with the
a spiritual hunger in studying and teaching,
them. there is the ongoing
challenge of doing,
applying the Word to our situation. It is one thing to
know the truth and quite another to live it. This is a
challenge we all face.
“We need to be Walkers with God before we become
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Workers and Warriors for God;
Saints before we become Gratitude is the
Servants of God.” Though sense of blessing
involvement in ministry is in the midst of
important, it only comes as an sufferings and
outcome of our relationship
troubles.
with God. So the ‘being’ of a
UESI member is more important than the ‘doing’.
The quality of our relationship with God could also be
seen by the way we react to sufferings. As Christians
we are not only called to believe on Christ and receive
blessings from God but also to suffer for Him (Phil.
1.29). Suffering without God’s love, can be destructive;
but strengthened by His love, it purifies, renews and
strengthens us.
Opposition and persecution may not have been
experienced by many of us in the student ministry on
campuses. However, individual students and young
graduates coming to Christ from other faiths have been
facing opposition and persecution from their families,
communities and religious leaders. The paradox of
suffering is that it can enrich us, provided we keep
faith and hope in God. The Lord is our Shepherd who
gives us all what we need and walks with us through
dark valleys.
God is invites us to delight ourselves in His abundance
(Is. 55.2). We need only to admit our thirst and our
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inability to satisfy our own needs with our meagre
resources. God’s invitation to be refreshed by him is
ongoing.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Behold I freely give.
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down and drink and live.
I came to Jesus and I drank
Of that life - giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived.
And now I live in Him.
- Horatius Bonar

Questions for Reflection

1. Reflect on the images of the thirsty deer and the flowing
stream.
What do they depict? When have you felt the same desire?
How has it been fulfilled?
2. When opportunities come my way, how can I encourage
others in their relationship with God?
3. What kind of influence am I for Christ?
4. “Show me your ways that I may walk with you.” How
seriously do we mean this prayer in the present stage of
our life journey?

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 3
FELLOWSHIP
T rue fellowship means sharing with, caring for and
bearing one another’s burdens in love for Christ’s
sake. We share strengths, ideas, material and other
resources.
Several years ago two senior IFES staffworkers were
present at a National Conference of UESI. They were
greatly impressed by the way the staffworkers,
graduates and students were working together in
making arrangements for the conference, which
affirmed the fellowship they enjoyed. ‘Fellowship’ is
big in UESI.
The founding fathers of UESI decided to have a
truly evangelical fellowship which will uphold the
fundamental doctrines of the Word of God. At the same
time they also maintained that the doctrines where
evangelicals differ need not divide the fellowship. UESI
believes that there should be no division or lack of
respect on the basis of family, economic or educational
backgrounds, gifts, culture, caste or denominations
in a fellowship. Transparency, confidentiality and
respecting other views should mark any Christian
fellowship.
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We are not autonomous individuals, but we belong to
one another as much as we belong to God. The qualities
and abilities we have are gifts from the generous
Giver. The differences amoung us are not cause for
divisions or rivalry, but are a sign of richness of unity
in diversity that flows from God Himself.
We need to see everyone in the fellowship through
God’s eye, to appreciate, help and encourage and
refrain from labelling or rejecting people.
Jesus said that the way we treat the needy and
vulnerable reveals our attitude towards Him (Mt.
25.31-44).
Our fellowships /churches today have enormous
‘frozen’ assets. Only when we thraw out these assets
and release every member for ministry, the work of
God can be done effectively. We need to view our gifts
not as part of our development and fulfilment but as a
way to be dependent on Christ.
Till 1980s, UESI had several missionary staff couples
and single ladies (from overseas) backed by their
respective mission agencies. They all worked under
Indian leadership irrespective of their age, qualification
and experience. They were treated equally along with
Indian staffworkers. There was no distinction between
foreigners and Indians and people from the North and
South, East & West among staffworkers.

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An incident is told of Dr Sterrett asking forgiveness
from a younger person, Br Chandapilla who was the
then General Secretary, for having hurt him in a
conversation. The UESI staff fellowship was mutually
enriched by the transparent sharing by and learning
from one another.
Concern has been expressed about the present status
of fellowship observed among students, graduates,
staffworkers and committee members. Is ours a ‘hi/
bye’ fellowship on a superficial level? Years ago, when
we did not have facilities like vehicles and phones,
people used to walk or travel by bus, train or cycle and
visit students in hostels and graduates in their homes.
But with all the facilities we have now, our fellowship
sometimes, is through phone, e-mail or sms. Both
congratulatory and condolence messages are sent
through e-mail or text. When we are far apart, this is
allright.
Also when we meet at a retreat, camp or conference
we mostly stop with asking about the number of
people who attended, who came to Christ or about
the finances. We need to go beyond to a deeper level
enquiring about one another’s family or their needs.
The quality of ministry to one another at all levels is
reflected in the fellowship and the ministry given to
students.

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As we work together in a committee at various levels, we
also sense at times certain attitudes in our relationship
with one another – ignoring a soft or quiet person or
less gifted person, one or two in the committee trying
to dominate and run the show. We need to recognize
our diversity and inter-dependence so that we are the
Body of Christ that God desires for us. Diversity is vital
for a healthy fellowship. But do we value diversity in
our fellowships? If not, we will fall into the Corinthian
trap of valuing certain gifts and people more highly
than others?
A Christian Such fellowship among
fellowship group needs members of UESI and
to be a therapeutic even among committee
community where members at all levels
there is love, care, should be spontaneous
affirmation, warmth, and cannot be
acceptance, forgiveness, organised in the true
reconciliation and sense.
healing.
Several years back,
a staffworker who was a staff representative at the
National Executive committee had shared a family
problem for prayer. In the next committee meeting,
a senior Graduate member remembered and enquired
with concern about the family situation of the
staffworker which was a great encouragement to that
person.

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What does it take for a fellowship to be a therapeutic
community? Frequent meeting or keeping in touch
(not just through Video Conferencing), transparency,
willing to be vulnerable, caring through enquiring
about each other’s needs will help build rapport among
members. Otherwise our fellowship will be cold,
impersonal, discussing the agenda and going our way.
Paul talks about the nature and purpose of spiritual
gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. He brings out three important
things from this passage : We are all members of Christ,
we are all different and have different gifts and we all
need one another.
So, in a Body of Christ there is no place for comparison,
competition, jealousy, superiority or inferiority
complex or complaining. But there is place only for
acceptance, caring, affirming and inter-dependence.
In other words, we must be able to look at one another
in a fellowship and say honestly, “Brother/Sister, I
need you and you need me.”
Fellowship represents spiritual unity among members
of UESI family. While the task is important, fellowship
is more important. Ministry is made possible and
sustained through fellowship. The fellowship as a
family needs to exhibit the influence of the Word of
God in their lives.
A girl from non-Christian background came to Christ
in a medical college hostel through the love, care and
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unity she saw among the members of a Bible study
group associated with the local EU. As a doctor today she
walks with the Lord, working in a Government hospital.
So fellowship lived out, attracts people to Christ.
It is when we as Christians work in a fellowship or
community, with all its diversity where each one is
unique, and special, we can prove to the world that in
the redeemed community of God’s people, all realize
their full potential. Such a fellowship in the EU/EGF
and UESI at large could turn the campuses and society
upside down!

Questions for Reflection

1. What might make some members of our fellowship feel
useless or envious of other members?
a) How can we help those in our fellowship to discover
their gifts?
b) How would we like to develop and exercise our spiritual
gifts?
3. Recall a moment when you wanted to restore a broken
relationship.
What were some of your fears in approaching the situation?
Why is love so essential for mending fractured relationships?
4. When was the last time we appreciated or thanked God
for the gifts of / roles played by any of the members of a
fellowship we belong to or attend?
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 4

PERSONAL CARE
R ight from its inception, UESI as a movement has
been giving importance to caring for individuals,
following the pattern of Jesus Christ who selected
twelve and spent time with them (Mk 3: 14) Individual
care (Lk. 15: 3,8, 20), and the preciousness of one
person should overpower us. One individual affects
another. Concentrating on individuals helps us save
money and effort. It brings in great dividends.
Individuals are more important than systems and
structures. Each individual is unique and is expected
to contribute to the building up of the kingdom of
God. In the society, individuals are treated as heads
or tickets in the bus, roll numbers in class rooms, bed
numbers in the hospitals or prisoner numbers in jails.
Personal care to individuals and discipleship may
overlap one another in their purpose and goal. Many
senior graduates and staffworkers all over India could
testify that what they are today is the result of the
time and efforts invested in them by their seniors
in nurturing and mentoring them when they were

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 students or young graduates and
Making staffworkers. Discipling as vital
disciples is mentioned also in the vision
is not an statement.
option, it is a
Camps, conferences, Christian
command.
homes and visiting hostels offer
ample opportunities to care for individuals and
systematic discipling.
Christian homes are one of God’s important
strategies to spread His Kingdom on earth. They are
a prerequisite for the Church. Open Christian homes
and UESI as a movement go together. UESI was born
in the living room of Mrs and Prof. Enoch. Nagpur EU,
Warangal EU and Visakhapatnam EU, to mention just
a few, were born in the homes of graduates. Christian
homes are and should continue to be centres of
learning for students and young graduates. Christian
families need to be role-models in their lifestyle, in the
relationship between spouses, in bringing up children,
in their ministry through home and in interpersonal
relationship with others. Each couple decides as to
what ministry they should have for students, how
much of time to be allotted and also about the limits
to which a home should be open.
Increasingly we hear of students performing badly
in school, having suicidal tendencies, succumbing to
peer pressure and going astray. School authorities
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and psychologists attribute
the gap in the parent- children Home is the
relationship as one of the base where
reasons. Therefore, the role character is built
of Christian homes where up, leadership
there is love, freedom, closely qualities and
knit relationship between other talents are
parents and children where recognised and
children are brought up in encouraged.
the fear of the Lord, cannot be
overemphasised. India has no hope if we do not build
up Christian homes.
Some students come from broken homes and homes
which lack understanding of the newly found faith
of their children. So taking care of their spiritual,
sometimes physical
and academic needs,
will mean a lot to Care for individuals is
them and young costly in terms of time,
graduates in their energy and money spent
early stages of for them. But it is worth
Christian life. it when we see them
grow in the Lord even
Unmarried research after they leave college,
scholars, young find a job, get married
graduates and and establish Christian
staffworkers have also homes.
discipled students

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through their open rooms/homes. Professional college
hostels have also provided opportunities to senior
students to nurture and disciple junior students in a
residential set up.
In addition to Christian homes, graduate fellowships
and individual graduates also play a key role in building
up and caring for individuals. UESI is one of the few
movements of IFES, which is blessed with a network
of graduates which is solidly behind the students.
Graduates are the backbone of the UESI movement.
Their love for and involvement with students, however
limited sometimes in quality and understanding,
deserve recognition and appreciation. Any deficiency
in the quality of their help could mainly be attributed
to lack of systematic and caring ministry to individual
graduates and groups over the years. They have been
at the giving end without any inputs to replenish
their depleted resources. The NEGF needs to continue
to play a vital role in
Mentoring or taking this area of ministry
care of an individual to graduates who in
is not a hit and run turn will minister to
job. It is a sustained students.
relationship and an Mentoring is the need
unconscious influence
of the hour especially
one makes on a student
for young believers
or young graduate.

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from other faiths. Mentoring is a costly ministry but a
fulfilling one. It is not a glamorous ministry nor will it
be recognized or reported. It is a beautiful relationship
between the mentor and the mentee with God in the
centre.
We need mentors at all levels, to care for us and for us
to be accountable. Mentoring, if done prayerfully with
dedication, there will then be no dearth of quality
leadership in EUs, EGFs and National committees.
Mentoring or caring for individuals is not being
considered as a priority in general by staffworkers,
graduates and students for various reasons. There
will be no motivation if they were not first mentored
properly by others. Everyone is busy, both spouses are
working and so there is no time for ministry through
Open Homes as it was in the earlier years. Of course
the pressures on homes are more and different today.
Also it is not a glamorous ministry for others to see,
recognize and appreciate. Another reason could be
that it is costly in terms of time, effort and money and
not many are willing to pay the price and get involved.
A sense of belonging and owning the ministry will be
the natural result of deep care provided to individuals.
Individual care is key to the ministry among students
in pioneering and unreached areas.
One of the natural results of caring for the person

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would be these individual students would be
motivated to bring fellow students to the Lord. The
spontaneous fervour for personal evangelism and
nurturing and discipling students is not seen much
in general among students and graduates with more
emphasis being given at times for mega activities. As
the ministry expands, more departments come up and
more activities are undertaken, the one-to-one focus
is dying out. We seem to be goading the students to
do personal evangelism and graduates to mentor and
nurture young lives, through workshops on Personal
Evangelism and teaching on mentoring which were
not needed in the earlier decades. Students and
graduates who want to make the Word relevant to
fellow students and graduates will continue to face
the opposing forces of materialism, power politics and
different ideologies.
Quality is more important than quantity. It is a
fundamental principle adhered to by the UESI over
the years. Evaluating by quality primarily and not
by quantity is Jesus’ way. The question is not how
many work but how well the work was done and
what happens to the individuals who attend the
programmes.
The quality of the movement can be gauged by the
quality of members who are being discipled and
nurtured. Discipling is complete and meaningful

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only when our believing graduates and staffworkers
are willing to marry believers from other faiths and
communities.
We need role-models in the way students are nurtured
and built up, for the coming generations to emulate
this important core value of caring for individuals.
As Paul says, we have many teachers, but few fathers
(and mothers) (1 Cor. 4: 15).

Questions for Reflection

Think of a few who played a vital role in your spiritual
journey and lift them up before God in gratitude.
1. What are some of the reasons for not giving importance to
personal evangelism in your life and schedule?
2. Mention some aspects/approaches adopted when you
were mentored that encouraged you.
3. What attitudes would you avoid in nurturing your
juniors/young people?

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34
 5
Student Initiative
“ For the students, by the students and of the
students”
UESI is a student movement. It is committed to
evangelizing, discipling and building up of believing
student leaders. Therefore, its strength and uniqueness
lie in encouraging students to take the initiative and
responsibility for their activities and be at the helm
of affairs.
Graduates’ involvement in the student ministry
is unique to UESI. In many student movements,
graduates have their own goal and ministry and there
is not much or no involvement with students. While
graduates need to help the students in an advisory role
or as a coach, care should be taken not to take over the
role of student leaders in organizing or running the
activities.
An EU committee member once described the role of
their committee as a dummy committee as in his unit
the graduates were running the show, giving little
opportunity for students to plan and run the activities.
There was a time when graduates needed to take the
35
initiative to start groups and train students to take
over leadership. It is still being done in some places
where students are treated as immature and graduates
dominate the scene. The concept of student initiative
has to be properly understood. Being young, students
are bound to make mistakes and learn from them.
Graduates and staffworkers need to remember that
they have not grown up without making mistakes. A
poster with the slogan “Pencils have erasers because
we make mistakes,” should be a good reminder to us.
Having student representatives
Without student on the State and National
initiative, Boards is a welcome move.
UESI will lose UESI has gone a step further
its relevance in constituting a National
as a student Student Cell in 2012 where all
movement. the members are only students,
of the ten students three will
be girls. This Cell will be a student advisory body,
providing recommendations and suggestions to the
UESI National Board on policy decisions related to
students.
Paul trained Timothy and left him to take charge of
Churches. This is the basis for developing student
initiative. Students led and empowered by the Holy
Spirit are best equipped to reach other students for
the Lord Jesus Christ.

36
 Ò
ÒGod has vested in students a lot of potential, gifts
and abilities
Ò
ÒThey are best aware of existing philosophies,
paradigms, issues and challenges on the campus.
Ò
ÒStudents are adapt to the times and place have easy
access to fellow students
Ò
ÒThis leads to Friendship Evangelism which is most
effective in the changing scenario.
Students taking initiative in the ministry have
several responsibilities like witnessing, forming cells,
planning activities, leading meetings, consulting
with graduates and staffworkers, being aware of UESI
doctrines, policies and core values and being willing
and teachable to learn from the lives and experiences
of seniors.
Graduates and staffworkers need to have a good
knowledge of the student world and understand the
student ‘lingo’ to meaningfully help them. Many
students are grateful to graduates for the core values
imparted to them through formal and informal ways.
So, a patient understanding attitude is needed to win
their confidence and implement and encourage the
concept of student initiative.
Student initiative is one of the important
characteristics of the UESI movement and so it is an

37
imperative to develop students to be leaders, take
decisions and be responsible.
Questions for Reflection
1. What are the advantages in students taking the initiative
in the ministry?
2. What factors would hinder students from taking the
initiative in their college/hostel?
3. How could the EGFs help and encourage students to take
the initiative?

38
 6
LIFE OF FAITH AND PRAYER
U ESI was born out of God-given vision and
prevailing prayer. God guided the movement
from its inception to depend on Him for all its needs
not just for finances. The founding fathers emulated
this principle of faith and prayer and set an example
for the succeeding generations.
Br Chandapilla, the first General Secretary, and many
other staffworkers were attracted to the financial
policy of UESI which says, “UESI would look to God
in faith and prayer, for the supply of all needs; that
membership fee would not be charged and that appeals
would not be made to the general public.” Pledges are
not made and no fund raising programme is organized.
As for depending on God for all our needs, Prof. Enoch
narrates in his book Following the Master an incident:
One day when guests were expected, he had no money
to buy provisions. He was not anxious as he had learnt
to depend on God for his needs. As Mrs and Prof. Enoch
were praying, they heard a noise outside the kitchen.
Their servant saw a kite dropping a live fish into their

39
house. He cried, The Lord has supplied a good 1.5 pound
fish. The Lord supplied the need of the day, honouring
their trust in Him. Prof. Enoch has many such stories
to tell as he tried practising the Sermon on the Mount.
During early days of Br Chandapilla as staffworker,
the movement was faced with acute financial crisis. Br
Chanda and his wife bore the brunt of it. On several
occasions, they had no money to buy food. Yet, in
such dire need, never was a request made to anyone,
but God. At times even a small personal gift given
to his family had been used for the movement. His
dependence on God was an example to many students,
graduates and colleagues.
There are stories of how God wonderfully provided
finance, more than what was needed, even on the last
day of the month. Field and
office staff at the National
Prayer has been
Office in Chennai had cast
the power house
for all decision- themselves on the Lord and
making and prayed with fasting and tears.
activities of It was through oneness in
UESI. prayer that the Lord guided
the UESI Executive committee
to accept Highfield as a gift from the Sterretts and take
major decisions regarding staffworkers and various
activities. Whenever there was a difference of opinion
in the committee, the matter was placed before the
40
Lord in prayer so that the Lord would bring about
unanimity in the choice.
Prayer and meditation are not easy disciplines. There is
nothing magical about these spiritual disciplines. Both
are ways to focus our attention on God. We can talk
(pray) openly, honestly and vulnerably to God and we
can listen (meditate) with humility. It is this dynamics
of speaking, listening – prayer and meditation that
makes it possible for us to get closer to God. We can
experience being loved by our Creator.
Nothing is more striking in Jesus’ life than His intimacy
with the Father. Prayer threads its way through Jesus’
life. As Jesus was baptised by John ‘he was praying’ (Lk
3.21). In preparation for the choosing of the twelve, He
went up to the mountain alone and prayed (Lk 6.12).
After an exhausting evening of healing, Jesus got up
early in the morning, went out to a deserted place and
prayed (Mk 1.35). On the Mount of Transfiguration,
Luke says, “His face was changed while he was praying.”
The prayers raised by many have protected our
staffworkers in their travel across the country. As
years go by the importance and emphasis on prayer
seems to be dwindling and activities are planned, and
decisions taken in haste. In general, the patience to
wait on the Lord is diminishing. We may feel restless
while being silent. As someone put it, we seem to be
working more before men than waiting before God.
41
Our private prayer life and relationship with God will
reflect our ability to wait on the Lord enough before
taking decisions.
Some graduates leaving their secular jobs as teacher,
nurse, doctor, engineer, pharmacist, accountant,
administrator and clerk have joined the staff team
over the years. A majority of them have also been
theologically trained. There is no attraction materially
speaking in joining the UESI staff, except for the clear-
cut call and God-given vision. The financial difficulties
faced by staffworkers have not stopped the flow of
young men and women joining year after year. The
staffworkers have the joy of proving God’s faithfulness
and have risen to meet many challenges and pressures.
Students need to see the ‘life of faith’ of graduates and
staffworkers and be challenged to imitate them.
The needs of the members as well as the movement
are to be met by the members out of Christian love and
responsibility.
Over the years, student giving has come down.
Students need to be taught not only to give to God’s
work while they are students, but also learn to live
within their means, overcoming greed. Years back
many EUs used to send regularly their contribution
to the UESI. Now, the number of EUs contributing has
not grown in proportion to the number of EUs.

42
In one EU, the members belonging to a hostel cell
group saved money by cutting down on coffee / tea
from the canteen and other expenses over a period
of three months and supported 2 students to go for
the Kotagiri Camp. One medical college EU put up a
sale of products, made by the students, like cards and
handkerchiefs and home-made jam and pickle and
sent the money raised by the sale to the UESI.
Jesus is our example in giving. How can we be lacking
in generosity to others in the face of His generosity and
sacrifice? The first thing that we need to do is to give
ourselves to God (2 Cor.
8.5), a response to His love To see giving as
for us. Our ability to give both a response
is a mark of God’s grace. to grace and a
Paul never laid down any means of grace
rules about percentages.
helps us to see it
We are simply to give in
not as a burden or
the light of what we have
a duty.
(2 Cor. 8.11), a cheerful
response to a good God.
In a society which is in bondage to possessions and
acquisitiveness, there is much to be gained by releasing
ourselves from the power of money by giving it away.
When we give cheerfully, we experience a new sense
of freedom and a deeper relationship with God and His
people. As a result, giving can become uplifting and

43
liberating instead of being heavy and burdensome.
However the pressure to compromise with the values
of the present age is subtle and pervasive. At the heart
of our giving should be the conviction that we do not
need to accumulate in order to have security; our
security is to be found in God.
How we use our money is a litmus test of our
discipleship.
Simple living is understood and lived out differently
in various places and cultures. A family friend of the
Enochs remembered how their lives and simple living
were a blessing to her. UESI members have seen
as examples, the simple lifestyle of graduates and
staffworkers over the years. Simple living, sharing
what we have with those who visit us and with those
who are in need has been, is and should continue to be
a hallmark of the UESI constituency.
Materialism is creeping into families. ‘Enough is
enough’ was the golden saying of the past. But today
the media bombard us with bytes making us believe
that ‘Enough is never enough.’ And we know how the
plastic money is being used to satisfy our wants rather
than our needs. Once materialism sets in, contentment
goes out of the window. Contentment (a learned art,
not a given temperament) is contrary to covetousness
(which can become addictive). Provided we have

44
 While we enjoy God-
given facilities and
comforts without feeling
guilty, We need to take
care that materialism does
not dictate terms to us,
tempting us to rationalize
and justify our actions and
the way of living. Simple
and contented outlook
should mark the life of
every member of UESI.

enough to live on, we should learn contentment, in

good times and bad. Jesus’ warning stands, we cannot
serve God and money. How we get, save and spend our
money says a lot about our faith.
In our world where one’s personality, salary or
background determines our importance in others’
eyes, it is important that we Christians live differently,
holding those things lightly and recognising them as
gifts from God. That way we are likely to fare well.

45
. . . Fix your attention on God. You will be changed from the
inside out. Readily recognise what He wants from you, and
quickly respond to it, (Rom. 12.2 – The Message).

Questions for Reflection

1. In what ways have you experienced the power of prayer
in your circumstances recently?
2. What difficulties do you experience with prayer and
meditation?
3. What motivates your own attitude to giving? How do you
go about it?
4. What in your situation is friendship with the world
(consider your attitude toward material possessions,
friends, study habits, work and leisure patterns)?
How can you restore your relationship with God?
5. What challenges do we perceive regarding our stewardship
in the light of the examples of our pioneers and seniors?

46
 7
MORAL PURITY AND
FINANCIAL INTEGRITY
U ESI shall maintain high standard of moral and
ethical purity in relationships and responsibilities.
The quality of the personal life of an individual
member – a student or graduate or staffworker or a
leader at any level - is of paramount importance to the
witness and effectiveness of the ministry of UESI.
UESI is people, not programmes or plans or property-
oriented. The way each member lives his or her
personal, family and professional life will either
enhance or mar the quality of the ministry of UESI.
Paul uses strong words regarding moral purity in 1
Thessalonians 4:3, It is the will of God, your sanctification;
that you should abstain from sexual immorality. ‘Abstain’
means exactly that – abstain. As members we need
to be alert and disciplined students of our bodies, to
know how they function, what appeals to them, and
what weakens as well as strengthens them. We also
need to know how to control our instincts, how to gain
mastery over it and how to sustain ourselves in a life
of purity rather than yielding to sin.

47
Satan is out to destroy God’s people in the area of moral
purity. Many a member has testified how God has
protected him/her in these areas and given strength
to take a stand against temptation and honour the
Lord. A believing research scholar testified how she
took a stand and avoided the wrong advances of a
senior professor, who was her guide. This meant delay
and less guidance received. Many prayed for and with
her. She had to pay the price of waiting for 5 years
to get her degree when eventually the professor was
transferred.
At times disturbing news of serious conflicts in
marriage, violence and unfaithfulness are heard
among our members who should be agents of
reconciliation between students and graduates and
graduate families. We are not perfect and being human
we are bound to err. Culture may differ from place to
place but human nature is the same everywhere. No
one can say that he or she will not fall in a particular
area. The erring individual, couple and families need
to seek the counsel and guidance of Pastors, senior
UESI friends and their families to restore and mend
relationships within the family. Graduate fellowships
should be caring enough to minister to families.
Proverbs picture parents as important life–coaches. It
is a clear theme throughout the Bible that when parents
accept and fulfil their responsibility of bringing their

48
children up ‘in the training and instruction of the
Lord’, the family forms a firm basis for a stable society.
This training will help children to follow right values
and make right choices when they grow up.
Faithfulness in marriage is important in establishing
a stable family. This means the need for discipline
with regard to ‘lust.’ James in his epistle warns of the
role ‘desire’ can play leading to sinful actions. Jesus
radicalises this message in Matthew 5.27-30.
The word ‘righteousness’ has often been taken to
mean our standing before God, but it also includes
ideas of right living and action as evidence of this.
Jesus talks about the broad and narrow ways. Making
daily choices is about choosing whether or not to
follow God’s way. Following God’s way means living
a disciplined life. We must take responsibility for the
choices we make. Lack of discipline leads to foolish
behaviour. It is hypocritical to pray ‘Lead us not into
temptation’ and then not to
take active steps to avoid it
and resist it. Wrong living
is as much
Our beliefs and behaviour
should both proclaim
a denial of
Salvation in Jesus. “Your the Gospel
character is the only thing as wrong
you cannot borrow, lend or thinking.

49
escape, for it is you” (Derek Kidner)
UESI is also committed to maintain integrity in the
way we obtain financial and material resources, in
maintaining accounts and in utilizing such God-given
resources. We should be above reproach in using and
keeping accurate personal and official accounts and in
giving receipts for the money received (2 Cor. 8:20, 21).
We need to continue to teach and train our members
to be vigilant. This principle of financial integrity
should be binding on all members of the fellowship.
Money is not only a touchy subject, it is a source of
great temptation. Many have compromised their
faith through an excessive desire for wealth or lack of
integrity in handling money. None of us should feel
we are above such things. Everything we do is under
God’s scrutiny and we aim to please him. When we are
motivated by a desire to help the needy, generosity
will help us to weaken the grip money has over us.
We need to be transparent and accountable in
all that we do. We are accountable to the whole
Christian community we belong to (UESI/Church) and
ultimately to God.
We are men and women of integrity when it comes
to a job, a place to live and where to worship. But we
take matters into our own hands when it comes to
preparing our tax returns, obeying traffic rules and

50
submitting to copyright laws (copying a DVD for the
Youth group without permission). We must show
integrity in every matter (giving proxy attendance
in classrooms, adjusting titration readings in the lab,
copying in exams, breaking rules on the games field
etc.), no matter how small it seems. The consequences
of ‘small sins’ are always
more far reaching than Knowing who we
we realize.
are enables us to
As disciples of Christ, we live as we should so
are accountable and need if our fundamental
to be good stewards of
identity is that we
the time and the things
we use like stationery,
belong to a holy
telephone, internet and God, we too must
other facilities in our be holy.
work place and in the
local, State and National offices and during camps and
conferences. We need to be faithful in small and big
things and set an example to the younger generation.
God has helped UESI so far to maintain the testimony
before government auditors that we submit the
statement of accounts accurately and on time every
year.
Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy,’ Lev. 19:2
continues to have validity. Disciples being made
holy is the focus of Jesus’ high priestly prayer,
51
‘Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (Jn
17:17). Sanctification is a work of God, but He calls
us to collaborate. One way of doing so is to engage
prayerfully with Scripture. By meeting God daily in
his Word we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus
and are transformed into His likeness. “Sanctification
is not natural morality, but supernatural conformity
to the moral and spiritual likeness of Jesus Christ” (J.I.
Packer).

Questions for Reflection

1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘holy’?
Why do you think it is often understood as a religious
word, removed from everyday life?
2. What specific areas of your life fail to match up to the
Lord’s call for holy living? Pray for God’s grace to help you
change where you need to.
3. How has following Christ shaped your character? It may
be impossible to answer this question for one self, but it is
a good fuel for prayer.

52
 8
SHARED LEADERSHIP
S hared leadership and servant leadership have
been and continue to be the hallmarks of the UESI
movement. Spiritual maturity rather than educational
qualifications and experience, is given importance.
The focus is on loving and faithful stewardship of
responsibilities for God’s sake and for His glory.
UESI tries to identify leaders by consensus rather than
by election. We need to resist the tendency or pressure
due to recommendation in the appointment of people
who are not suitable, at the local, state and national
levels for leadership position or for any job.
“How can we get the type of people we need?”,
is the question asked in every field – business,
politics, industry, government, education, Christian
organizations and churches.
In the midst of various problems today, the world faces
a serious problem – leadership crisis. “What we need
today is not intelligent people but deep people,” says
Richard Forster in his book Celebration of Discipline.
This statement does not look down upon intelligence,
rather it expresses the need for people with right
Christian attitudes.
53
Leadership is not something we are born with, as
some people think. It is largely a matter of training
and following an example. Leadership is also not a
matter of personality alone. Ezra and Nehemiah were
different personalities with differing gifts and the
latter were also used differently.
Leadership is not a
single man’s show,
Wherever the work
but team work.
is centred on a person
However prominent
it becomes a one or senior the person
man’s show, and the is, wherever this
right attitude to tendency is noticed
service the fellowship has
disappears. a responsibility to
discourage this,
help the person and
save the ongoing work of the Lord.
There is no one-person show in UESI. A Christian
worker who was associated with UESI as a student,
remarked that only in UESI, among many Christian
organizations, she had witnessed a spirit of service,
not aspiring to climb the ladder by pushing down
others and not fighting for position or leadership. Yet,
concern is being expressed about the lack of quality
leadership seen among students, graduates and
staffworkers in many places.

54
We see in Exodus 18, Jethro encouraging Moses to
delegate responsibility, paving the way for team work.
In the book of Acts too, we see teams working - Peter
& John, Paul & Barnabas, Paul & Timothy and Aquilla
& Priscilla.
D.L. Moody said, I would rather have seven people do the
work than do the work of seven people. When we lead,
we need to identify individuals to whom we can
prayerfully delegate some responsibilities.
The best way to learn leadership is to study the life
of Jesus Christ and to see how He the greatest leader
trained the twelve.
Two pictures come before us when we think of
leadership in the Bible.
A leader is one who has a Shepherd heart. Passages like
Ps 78.70-72, Is 40.11, Ezek 34.1-16, Jn 10.11 and 1 Pet
5.2-4 show how a Shepherd should be and the role of
Christian leader as a Shepherd.
Tender pastoral care, love, sacrifice of time and
energy, watchfulness, going after the lost, healing the
wound and being impartial – all these are involved in
being a shepherd.
True pastoral leadership always has the spiritual well
being of others at its heart. There is both pain and
joy in leadership. It will handle issues, acknowledge
progress as well as affirm godly behaviour. This is
based on true affection.
55
The next picture is that a leader is Servant. In the
contemporary world, the term ‘servant’ has a very
lowly connotation but not so as Jesus used it. But among
you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among
you must
be your
servant,
Jesus invested the term
a n d
‘servant’ with greatness whoever
and that was certainly wants to be
a revolutionary concept. first among
Many of us would have no you must
objection to being ‘masters,’ be the slave
but servanthood holds little of everyone
else, Mk
attraction.
10.43,44
(NLT).
The Lord referred to Moses as, Moses, my servant and
not Moses, my leader. Also in Exodus 14.31 we read that
after crossing the Red Sea, ‘. . . they (the people) believed
in the Lord and in his servant Moses, and not ‘in their leader
Moses.
Jesus presents two leadership principles which have
permanent relevance to us. Firstly, there is Sovereignty
of God in Christian leadership. In Mk 10.40-42, Jesus
tells James and John, But to sit at my right hand or at my
left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has

56
been prepared.
No theological
or professional To realize we are here
training in not by selection of men
management but by the Sovereign
or leadership appointment of God
course will gives greater confidence
automatically
to a Christian leader or
qualify one
worker.
for effective
ministry. You did
not choose me but I chose you and appointed. . . (Jn 15.16).
What a contrast is seen in the way leaders are chosen
today in the country, in Christian organizations and
churches.
Secondly, there is suffering in Christian leadership –
Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or . . . baptised?,
Jesus is very
straightforward
and honest here. Meekness, today is
He does not hide misunderstood as
the cost in the weakness, but it is a
service of the heroic quality, is rather
Kingdom. For a strength, beautifully
the great task
demonstrated in our
entrusted to
Him, He needed
Lord’s character.
men and women
57
of quality, with eyes wide open who would follow Him
to death. He wanted them to follow Him on His terms
and not according to their terms (Lk. 14.25-35).
Closely associated with servanthood is the attitude to
be humble. When Paul exhorts the Philippians, Let this
mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. . ., he means
the attitude which Christ had. The humble, meek and
the lowly Christ became a servant for us. Humility
should be the hall mark of Christian leadership. This
virtue is neither required nor coveted in business or
politics. But it is an essential quality to be seen in a
Christian leader, a disciple.

Our pioneers are our examples in doing even menial

tasks in an attitude of humility and service mindedness.
Dr Sterrett and some former senior staffworkers like
Br P.C. Varghese were willing to clean up the septic
tank of a toilet in Highfield to remove the blocks, so
that the toilets could be used properly during the
programmes.
Br H.S. Ponnuraj once began to clean a room with a
broom to get the place ready for a meeting. Other
followed suit.
Once Br Chandapilla, clad in his kurta and dhoti, carried
the luggage of a fellow staffworker, a lady missionary,
from the taxi into the house where they were staying.
The hosts who had not seen Br Chanda before thought

58
he was the taxi driver! There are similar stories of
service rendered by graduates and other staffworkers.
These attitudes are cultivated and not learnt by a
course on leadership, cultivated through a disciplined
study of God’s Word and times of prayer. A regular
and vital relationship with the Risen Lord is a basic
prerequisite for effective Christian leadership.
Christian leadership demands a deepening dependence
on God. For this reason leaders need our prayers and
encouragement. Spiritual leadership is about taking
time out as well as doing things. God is never in a
hurry. Leaders cannot fast track the things of God.
They need to take time to listen.
Producing such leadership is the greatest contribution
UESI could make to the life and witness of the Church in
India. In a world urgently in need of sound leadership,
we need to pray that God will raise up national and
international leaders who are godly and wise.
The measure of the work of my public activity for God is the
private profound communion I have with Him - Oswald
Chambers
Questions for Reflection
1. What qualifications do we honestly give importance to in
selecting members to be on a committee?
2. How far recommendations and pressures from others
play a part in the selection of committee members?

59
3. How can we help leaders with a domineering attitude
when we work together as a team?
4. Meekness is not required in politics or business. How can
we demonstrate this quality as Christian leaders? Let us
honestly face our failure in being a role model to others.
5. In what areas could we emulate our pioneers and seniors
today in our EUs/EGFs and camps?

SOME QUOTES ABOUT PIONEERS

“Like Abraham, the Enochs are our parents in God whose
examples we must follow” – John Martin, former
staffworker from UK.
“It is UESI which taught my family and myself to think
biblically and develop a Christian mind.” - D Jeyapaul,
founder of Coimbatore EU and a former President of
UESI
“Dr John Moody (one of the pioneers who started CMC
Vellore EU, Calcutta and Shillong EUs) was probably
one of the best persons I have seen on this whole matter of
evangelism.” – Bob Brow, former staffworker.

60
 9
Responsibility To Society
U ESI believes that we are called to be responsible
citizens of the land. The third aim of the UESI
emphasizes ‘raising a testimony’ to the historic truths
of Christianity. This living out the Gospel embraces
all areas of life of UESI members, not just the college
campuses and work spots of graduates. The impact of
the Gospel has to be felt at homes, Churches, in the
neighbourhood and in the society at large.
It is citizenship that Paul has in mind when he writes,
Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, in
Phil 1.27, meaning ‘live as worthy citizens.’ It involves
living out their new identity and loyalty to the ‘Gospel
of Christ,’ as citizens of both heavenly and earthly
Kingdoms.
God’s people are to be distinctive. This means that our
contact with the society around is appropriate and
that its influence on our lifestyle and convictions is
controlled. It is possible to be involved in society (salt
permeating food), and yet show clear spiritual and
ethical distinctiveness (salt not losing its saltiness).
We tend to forget this at times and accommodate the
values and life patterns of the age.
61
 The way we live
as God’s children
‘Everybody does it’
in the UESI family
seems to be an easy calls for utmost
way out instead of care and discipline
putting the Lord in daily life (Phil.
first and giving the 2:15).
reason for the hope We have been
we have (1 Pet. 3:16). exhorted to be
salt of the earth.
If you lose your
saltiness, how will people taste godliness? (Mt. 5:13 –
The Message). Over the years inspite of regular
teaching and examples from the lives of students and
graduates, some of our members have failed to make
an impact - Christian students handing in essays/
projects containing material not their own, Christian
professionals spending hours on Facebook during
office hours, Christian investors bending the truth
to avoid paying taxes, believers having extra marital
relationships and so on.
We also have good examples among graduates in
some States where some Officers, Scientists, Doctors
and others have been given Awards for their academic
excellence, honesty, contribution to the society and
distinguished services. Andhra Pradesh, TN, Nagaland
and UP to mention just a few.

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Concern for justice lies at the heart of God’s character
and spills out of the pages of the Bible. It is directly
linked with knowing God and sharing His concern
for a hurting world and is motivated by a love for the
people He has created.
UESI is also called to promote peace and harmony
and is committed to the growth and development of
a just and righteous society. We need to be exemplary
citizens obeying the laws of the land like paying taxes
honestly, obeying traffic rules, keeping the roads and
surroundings clean, caring for our domestic help and
exercising our voting right. We need to speak the
truth against corruption and malpractices by writing
to newspapers and through other media about which
we have done very little. We are also exhorted to pray
for all who are in authority (1 Tim. 2:1, 2), for there is
no authority except from God and those which exist
are established by God (Rom. 13:1).
As members of UESI, we also need to be people of
compassion following the example of the Lord Jesus
Christ. He went around doing good. . . for God was with
Him (Acts 10.38). He went beyond the spiritual needs
- touching, healing and feeding people. We need to
come out of our protected life, establish a meaningful
rapport with people in our neighbourhood, help
and support genuine causes like famine and flood
relief. The Kolkota EGF in the early 1970s helped the

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Bangladeshi refugees after the Bangladesh War, by
taking books and stationery to students. They reached
the students in the refugee camps, talked to them and
encouraged them to continue their studies, by wading
through knee-deep water.
In the 19th century in
the UK, evangelicals
Changing the played a leading role
world / society in abolishing slavery,
requires changing curbing child labour
the lives of and preventing cruelty
people. That is to animals. We need to
continue to witness to
not optional but
the compassion of God
essential.
for the oppressed in
different ways.
The founding of ATRI (Appropriate Technology for
Rural India) by one of our pioneers Br H.S. Ponnuraj
in Dharmapuri, in TN, one of the most backward
areas infested with naxalites, the rise of NGOs like
ESAF (Evangelical Social Action Forum) with the
encouragement of the EGF members of Kerala, which
stands for sustainable holistic transformation of the
poor and the marginalized for a just and fair society,
the involvement of graduates like Br Deenabandu in
AP in the cyclone relief work for several years and
the agricultural projects done innovatively to help

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farmers by Br David Beulah of TN, were all accepted
and commended by the TN Government. The wheel
chair operated by solar energy invented by a young
graduate, Shalom in Chennai, was acknowledged
and reported in a newspaper. All these testify to the
fact that several members of UESI have been making
an impact by meeting various needs of the society
through their lives and involvement.
NGOs like World Vision prefer candidates from UESI
background as their employees since they are known
for their dedication to work and life of integrity.
Secular media constantly call us to join hands in projects
like the joy of giving, cleaning the surroundings and
helping the helpless either as individuals or as small
groups like a group
of college students.
Our faith is not a The early Church
private affair. Our reached the world
faith should shape
because their lives
our involvement
in socio-cultural
showed a reality and
issues. While we a compelling love
recognise that which was infectious,
proclamation of the so that the ‘Gospel
Gospel is central in was caught as well as
our involvement taught.’

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with people, social action can precede, follow or
accompany evangelism, depending on the need and
situation. While we recognise that evangelism and
social action are two distinct activities, we also affirm
that evangelism and social action are inseparable.
Thus we need to strike a balance in meeting both the
spiritual and other needs of people we come across,
aiming at a holistic ministry to students and graduates.
Questions for Reflection
1. What are the challenges of spiritual compromise in your
own life? How can your values, attitudes, priorities,
ambitions and actions be in conflict?
2. What causes you to be out of step with those around you
while you are walking in step with Jesus?
3. What faith-based actions would bring your / our friends
to Jesus?

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 Some Reasons for Not Giving
Importance to and Practising Core
Values
»» Lack of awareness of the Core Values of UESI
»» Activities taking the place of individual care
»» Lack of a sense of belonging to the national family
of UESI
»» Importance given to regional and language feelings
»» Lack of ministry to graduates who need to nurture
students and staffworkers
»» Taking fellowship (EUs/EGFs/UESI) for granted
and lack of accountability at all levels in God-given
responsibility
»» Influence of the materialistic, competitive and
instant society affecting our values and life style
»» Lack of servant attitude leading to the desire for
recognition and position
Tips to help maintain and anchor core values
»» Teaching on the Sermon on the Mount in EUs and
EGFs as it gives a job description of disciples of Jesus
Christ
»» Returning to our first love for God and abiding in
His Word through Quiet Time and Personal Study
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»» Making committee members at local, state and
national levels to be aware of the history of UESI
and States and also of Core Values
»» Making available this official booklet on Core Values
to the EUs and EGFs by the State and National UESIs,
to be aware of them, understand, practise and
faithfully pass them on to the next generation
»» Teaching Core Values in camps and retreats through
skits, dialogues and other creative ways
»» Having high ethical and moral standards in
personal, professional and ministry life of members
»» Genuine love, servant attitude and transparency to
mark relationship among members
»» Recruiting staffworkers, keeping in mind the
changing trends and values in Universities
»» Training staffworkers and graduates to meet the
needs of generation next with different approaches
and methodologies
»» Senior graduates and staffworkers to realize their
enormous responsibility to be an embodiment of
these Core Values

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 Conclusion
Back to Basics

T he founding fathers identified these biblically based

values and practised them, leaving us an example.
As the movement grows and expands, encouraging
results are evident – students from other faiths are
coming to Christ, States are being decentralized, more
departments/cells are formed and more staffworkers
join. Programmes and activities have also multiplied.
Along with this quantitative growth, we need to take
conscious efforts to ensure qualitative growth by
emphasizing and imbibing these Core Values.
‡‡ The way Core Values are understood and practised
will reflect the continuation of the vision of the
UESI for generations to come
‡‡ These truths or principles do not change with time
‡‡ We can never outgrow these basics
‡‡ Once the emphasis on these basics changes, our
work will deviate from the original call and purpose
‡‡ If we are willing to count the cost of spending time
and resources for students and make a commitment

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 to God and a covenant with one another as members
of UESI family, we can be assured that the UESI as a
movement of God will go on.

General Questions for Discussion

‡‡ How do you know that there is a sense of belonging
among members in your local EU/EGF?
‡‡ Identify the reasons if they do not have the sense of
belonging. How would you foster it?
‡‡ How do we teach students, graduates and staffworkers
to exercise their faith for all needs and to give to God’s
work?
‡‡ Which Core Values have been most emphasized in your
local EU/EGF and State?
‡‡ Which have been most neglected? Suggest some practical
remedies.
‡‡ Identify more causes for not following Core Values taking
into account your local situation.
‡‡ Suggest more ways for anchoring these values.
‡‡ How do the Core Values fulfil the purpose of UESI at
present?

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