Evangelical university students in Italy ponder strategies for spreading Christian beliefs among Muslims
In the heart of Europe, the 17th edition of the Italian GBU National Study Conference (NSC) took place from October 31st to November 3rd, bringing together evangelical Christian university students for a time of spiritual renewal, training, and engagement with contemporary issues. This annual gathering, organised by GBU Italy, part of IFES worldwide, serves as a platform for Biblical teaching, student mission, Christian discipleship, and discussions on pressing topics through a theological and evangelical lens.
This year's conference, themed "Living and Engaging with Islam," was marked by a series of plenary sessions and workshops that delved into understanding Islam from historical, theological, and practical perspectives. Emil Shehadeh, an Israeli Arab living in the UK, was the keynote speaker, delivering four plenary sessions aimed at helping Italian evangelicals understand Islam better.
The topics of the plenary sessions were varied, covering True and false prophets, Jesus as the Messiah, living together with Muslims, and responding apologetically to Muslim accusations against Christianity. Workshops also showcased the interest of the Lausanne Movement in the theme of engaging with Islam.
In addition to these, workshops discussed how Italian literature has received and presented Islam, and various workshops framed Islam from a historical perspective. The GBU NSC, managed by Edizioni GBU, also provided an opportunity for Italian evangelical university students to reflect on how to share the gospel with Muslims.
Giacomo Carlo Di Gaetano, Chief Executive of Edizioni GBU, stated that the main purpose of the CSN-GBU is to connect the evangelistic ministry of the GBU with the world of churches, leaders, and especially families. The CSN-GBU is currently present in about 28 universities across Italy.
At the conclusion of the conference, Miroslav Volf, a theologian, was interviewed, providing insights into the conference's impact and the importance of engaging with Islam from a Christian perspective.
The Italian GBU NSC continues to be a significant event in the evangelical Christian calendar, fostering dialogue, learning, and spiritual growth among university students in Italy and beyond. For accurate and updated information on speakers, topics, and historical milestones of the Italian GBU NSC, consulting the official GBU Italy or IFES Italy website or contacting their offices is recommended.
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