Students Christian Organisation

 

Ten Years - Looking Back, Looking Forward

One of my loveliest memories is of the evening when we reunited to form SCO and the students chanted “Viva, Rory, Viva! Viva, Thandi, Viva!” as these two men came forward. It was wonderful to see two such fine men of God affirmed. But it went way deeper than that. That praise of our new National Director (formerly SCA) and new National Chairperson (formerly SCM) spoke of months – years – of seeking and finding each other; of confronting the pain we had caused one another; of learning to forgive and to love.  

SCO was born out of a recognition that each one matters in the Kingdom and that each one has a wealth to bring into SCO. I still look in wonder at members of my SCO family and rejoice at how much richer my life is because of them; how much bigger my God (and my worship of God) is because of them. 

And perhaps that is our challenge after ten years: do we still value the new things God wants to bring to us?

Do we welcome new ways of worship that new brothers bring in?

Do we affirm new styles of leadership that new sisters bring in?

Or have we got stuck in doing things in a particular way because that is “how SCO does things”?

As we rejoice in all God has done in the last ten years, let us be a part of God’s promise for eternity: “I am making all things new!” (Rev 21:5)

 by Ros Irlam

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CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS ( Thandi Writes..)

 In 1997 SCM and SCA merged to form SCO in that historic conference held at the University Of Fort Hare. In His own wisdom God made it and it so happen that in the same year we saw the birth of UCSA. UCSA was formed out of unity talks between CSV and ACSV. SCO came to be as a result of a burning desire from all components of both movements to be effective witnesses of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There was passion about sharing the good news in the new South Africa in ways that would render a powerful testimony to the nation that indeed we are one! 

WHAT DO WE NEED TO CELEBRATE? 

Often time people would celebrate just for the sake of it. Celebrate birthdays without putting meaning to it. The South African calendar is full of days of celebration- Human Rights Day, Women’s Day, Freedom Day and so on. In some instances very few people are able to reflect on the significance of that particular celebration.

SCO Celebrates:

• God’s faithfulness during the past ten years
• Loyalty of our donors who have been with us through thick and thin
• Dedication of our staff who leaved on a meagre income and sacrificed many necessities in their lives. Some left SCO leaving their hearts behind.
• Associates and leaders throughout the country some of whom are our unsung heroes and heroines. Relentlessly, they selfishly give of their finances, time and other resources just so that SCO lives on and the gospel rolls on!
• Students who are prepared to stand up and be counted as witness of Christ in their campus. Some have done a sterling job as evidenced in their involvement in student governance matters, evangelistic campaigns and in participating in programmes such as STEM
• The invaluable role of the IFES in supporting our ministry and partnering with us in practical ways as we all seek to change the world one student at a time.
• IVCF-New York/New Jersey diversified contribution towards sustaining SCO ministry.

 CHALLENGES OF THE JOURNEY OF 10 YEARS  

 SCO has faced a host of challenges in its history of 10 years. Here below are some of them, which were almost life threatening:

• The dwindling number of white students in SCO branch’s and consequently in national leadership. In fact currently the national student committee is all black.
• The untimely departure of our dear Dr Rory Prest to be with the Lord, which presented the organisation with new challenges at staff level.
• Consistent financial deficit
• Unity talks with UCSA, which have became a roller coaster and sometimes appear to be at the brink of collapse.
• Issues of sexuality especially among prominent student and student leaders.
• Exodus of senior staff who were experienced in student ministry.

  Through it all, the Lord has been faithful as according to His word.