How do we think of our students when they get toward the end of their time at university or our student group?
It would be a chronic reflection on our work if staff stated that at the mention of the word 'graduates' they think either of dollars or of a waste of their investment.

You may or may not believe it but I have heard both views in the last 24 months!
The people we work with in IFES movements are Jesus' people, not ours. Therefore it matters more that we create a few well formed disciples who will live out all their years for Jesus' glory, than that we concentrate on building the largest student group, or the widest range of student activities.

If our work is to turn out to be silver and gold rather than merely wood and straw then it has to be quality rather than quantity which counts.
However the reality of a world which measures our success by worldly levels, and which gives us financial support accordingly is a tough place to operate, and many of us feel pressure to 'perform'. The result is often too much activity and not enough priority!

In the end of his first letter Peter says: "Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but becasue you are eager to serve God."
If we are to help 'our people' lift their eyes beyond the immediate perspective to see the big picture and the role they can play in helping establish a mature Christian witness in their countries, then the example has to come from the highest level.

We, in leadership in IFES also need to break free from short-term objectives (whether ministry or finance focussed).
Although in reality this can sound like too much to ask, we need to do it. We need to keep alive a big vision for our work, and to count it as part of the Lord's work in building His kingdom on earth. We need to see the student ministry as having strategic significance because of the fruit it cn bear not just during the university years, but during the lifetimes of thos we have the privilage to work with now!