AFES has recognised that a FOCUS ministry is needed to reach international students, because the existing local ministry just won't be as effective at penetrating those communities of students with distinct social, cultural and language needs and preferences.

These FOCUS ministries ar

e now getting more and more traction. At UTAS the FOCUS group is as big as the local group, even though the number of international students is drastically less.

What AFES is still struggling to do, as far as I can see, is reach the mature age student.

Career mobility is a big phenomenon now, as is remote/flexible education. What this means is a rise in mature age students.

Typical AFES groups are not best set up to reach these students, as in reality we are not just a uni ministry or geographical ministry – we are a demographic ministry, reaching 17-25 year old undergraduates.

A mature age student has a different lifestyle, different personal needs and different social preferences to a 19 year old arts student, and most won't find our programs relevant, convenient or attractive.

SO that means there's a niche for a new AFES ministry or a new local church outreach, (or a partnerhsip between the two, possibly getting some AFES grant money in the process) to reach this group.
What might it look like:

  • I imagine mature age student are often at crossroads in life, and so a focus on healing, support, mutual learning, debriefing would be crucial
  • Mature age students are conscientious with their study and outcome oriented in their studies, and so networking/study group opportunities would be appealing
  • Mature age students very likely have jobs, kids and lives outside of uni, and so flexibility would be crucial.
  • Mature age students are swimming in a 'young' environment, and so a vibrant community that doesn't make them feel old, and gives a sense of 'life' is needed.

And coming out of this, I imagine the kinds of missino events and topics would be different, in line with the wisdom, experience, scepticism and hurt that might mark this different demographic.

Any ideas? Any examples you know of that are doing this well?