February 19, 2007

With the release of the film The DaVinci Code several months ago, the Students for Christ (SFC) team at the Free University in Brussels, Belgium used it as an opportunity to reach out to the students.  Several events were planned including training the student team to lead small group discussions, distributing flyers on campus, and doing surveys in front of the local theatre, all leading up to an evening of discussion regarding the book and film.

During a distribution of the invitations for the discussion night, some of the girls engaged a student in conversation.  "I used to go to church," said one young man, "but now I am into drinking and smoking, and I am happy.  Why do I need God?"  One of the girls recounted how God had changed her life.  However, soon a security guard interrupted them and put an end to the distribution of flyers.
 
That night the students went to the theatre to do surveys with people as they left the cinema.  One of the questions on the survey was, "Do you believe Jesus ever existed as an historical person?"  Eight percent of the respondents said, "No, Jesus never existed."  Of those who did believe He existed, most did not believe that He was divine.  However, several people responded favorably to an invitation to the discussion night and said they would come. 

One guest showed up for the small group discussion.  Although this might not seem a very great response for all the work the group did, they were very happy to see Nicholas come to the meeting.  Not only did he come that night but he has been back each Tuesday since and is very interested in SFC and what it's all about.

The SFC group is under the leadership of Assemblies of God World Missions personnel Stephen and Deanne Turley.  Although they categorically disagree with the content of the book/film, they endeavor to seize every opportunity to engage the lost in spiritual conversation, particularly regarding current events.