Who We Are

I love seeing students come to know more about God, to see and experience him, and discover that he is good.

After eight years serving and working with the Christian Unions in Bangor, Wales, I’m moving to Ireland. I’m delighted that God has opened the door for me to continue working with students but now in Galway and Sligo.

The Christian Unions have such a unique opportunity to reach peers and friends and to give them a beautiful chance to explore the Christian faith for themselves. In the midst of all of this, I love seeing students come to know more of God, to see and experience him, and ultimately, taste and see that he is good.

Moving from one Celtic nation to another I already feel a warmth towards Ireland, it being so similar to Wales. However, I know I will have a lot to learn about Ireland and what makes the Irish… Irish! Our God is a God of all the nations and I’m excited to serve and witness here in Ireland.

I love serving the Christian Unions here in Dublin. It’s a joy to walk alongside students in such formative years of their lives. University is a time of big questions, fresh opportunities and deep change and I believe it’s one of the best times to point people to Jesus. God does so much through student ministry: shaping students to be more like Christ, building Gospel-centred communities and equipping them to share the Good News with their campuses. It is a real privilege to journey with students as they grow in faith, character and confidence as they join in God’s mission in the world. Seeing lives transformed by the Gospel and watching students catch the vision of the Gospel of Jesus is what makes this work so worthwhile. 

Having studied at Queen’s University, been involved in the CU there and seen how it impacts students’ lives, both Christians and non-Christians, I am so thankful for the opportunity God has given me to work in this area. Over the past 4 years, first as a Reach Trainee with Friends International and now as a Staff Worker, I have loved seeing how God has continued to grow the student’s hearts to see their campuses reached with the good news of Jesus. Working alongside students in Belfast, while also getting to be involved in the wider IFES family and see how God is using students across the world is a real privilege. I am thankful for God’s guidance in this role and for His provision through supporters and I am excited to see how He will continue to grow and use the CUs in Belfast for His Kingdom.

Originally from the United States, Kim worked in university administration before coming to Northern Ireland in 2012 to explore a calling in ministry. During her first year in Belfast, she discovered the exciting missional opportunity to reach international students. After two years of serving in the local church, Kim completed a Master of Theology at Union Theological College (Belfast) before joining the CUI team as the Belfast ISM staff worker with Friends International in 2018. Many will know Kim’s furry accomplice, Rudy, who is a regular and loveable feature in her life and on day trips with students. In addition to enjoying long walks with Rudy, she loves a good coffee shop, baking with pumpkin, cooking cozy recipes, chatting about current affairs, and trying to stay fit with strength training.

I’m Beth Rodgers, a ceramicist with a passion for creating art that stirs emotion and draws inspiration from Biblical stories. I’ve just completed my Fine Art degree at the University of Ulster in Belfast – a milestone I’m incredibly thankful for! This year, I’m thrilled to be part of Formation and will be serving in the Belfast region with Stranmillis University.

I chose to do Formation because of the huge impact CU has had on my own university journey – it was a space of encouragement, friendships and growth within my own faith. I’ve received so much through CU, and now I’m excited to give back. I’m especially looking forward to walking alongside students, sharing life, and hopefully helping people discover more of who Jesus is.

This year, I’m eager to get stuck in creatively and spiritually, using my gifts and experiences to contribute meaningfully to the CU community. Whether it’s through conversations, events, or simply being present, I’m hopeful that I can play a small part in someone’s journey of faith.

Originally from Mid Ulster, I went to Scotland for university and lived there for several years afterwards, working firstly with some of the Christian Unions in Edinburgh, and then at a local church in the city. 

I’m really excited to now have the opportunity to work with CUI supporting students in Letterkenny, Derry-Londonderry, and Coleraine as they share the good news of Jesus with the other students around them, and am so glad to be joining in with gospel work closer to home!

I know from my own experience what a formative time uni can be – how wonderful to get to be alongside students in this season, playing a small part in helping those who don’t know Jesus hear about Him, and encouraging those who do to live and speak for Him.

Luke is a graduate of Stranmillis having studied Primary Education. He is married to Sophie and lives the dream, by living in Bangor. Luke and Sophie attend Silverbirch Evangelical Church and are involved in serving through preaching, kids ministry, and young adults ministry.

During his time at Stranmillis, Luke served on the CU Committee, giving him a heart for the lost on campus and a desire to share the Good News with friends, classmates, and fellow society members. 

After attending the first EQUIP conference in 2019, Luke felt a desire to work alongside students and subsequently applied to do Relay in Belfast working with Queens University in 2020. After a year of Relay, Luke stayed with CUI to serve as a Staff Worker for Stranmillis and Ulster University Belfast 

In February 2024, Luke took on the role of Team Leader for the Northern Team. In this role he supports the CUs across Northern Ireland and Donegal.

Hi everyone! My name is Sandra Oszynska, I’m 22 and from Wexford, though originally from Poland. I grew up in a non-practising Roman Catholic family and came to know the true and living God in 2020, putting my faith in Christ. Early in my walk with the Lord, He gave me a heart for evangelism. While studying Business at South East Technological University in Wexford, I discovered my college had no Christian Union society, so I started one. Over the years, the Lord grew it—and this year, one of my friends came to faith! I’ve mostly led the CU alone, with support from two Christian staff members.

I want to do Formation because I long for the CU to continue after I graduate. I’m trusting God to raise someone up to carry it forward. Although the college campus can be a challenging mission field, I know the Lord uses sinners like me to reach the lost. I’m excited that Formation will allow me to focus fully on CU work, discipling my friend and evangelising. I also look forward to growing in my faith through the teaching and training the programme offers!.

I am originally from Lovely Leitrim and studied Community Youth Work at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT). CU has been an encouragement and challenge to me, and overall CU has been a focal point of my time at college.

I believe Formation will be a great opportunity to strengthen my faith and cultivate a gospel-centred attitude towards work and life. It will also be a chance to share and develop my skills through various tasks, studies, and activities! I’m confident God has purpose for me in this role and it will help me better support youth in the future.

I will be supporting the CUs at the Technological University of Shannon (TUS) and University of Limerick. I’m looking forward to joining the CUI team in the mission to share the gospel and having meaningful conversations with students.

I believe evangelism works best when it flows naturally from a close relationship with Jesus, so I’m eager to see students captivated by Jesus, having their lives transformed by him and sharing this good news with others.

I’m grateful for how the Lord used the Christian Union during my time at university to draw me closer to himself and grow my heart for sharing the gospel. Having experienced and seen the importance of student ministry, I was eager to continue and after graduating I served as a Relay Worker in Coleraine, before going to Bulgaria to work alongside the IFES movement there for two years. I have since returned to Limerick, where I have been working with the CUs for the past three years.

It’s a real privilege to draw alongside students during some of their most formative years. I’m excited to support and equip them in their mission on campus, helping them to bring the gospel to fellow students and into all areas of their lives.

Tom and Stacey met in InterVarsity (an IFES sister movement) at University of California, San Diego.  Stacey was on IV staff for six years, the last two as an international student specialist with Chinese scholars.  After we got married, we enjoyed friendships with internationals while Tom earned his Ph.D., and then for 35 years while he was an engineering professor at Michigan State University (two-thirds of his graduate students were internationals).  Stacey earned an M.A. in Chinese history and has written and co-written several books about Chinese international students in the U.S. and Chinese Christians.  As part of an international student ministry team in our church we led weekly Bible studies, hosted dinners and discussions (Christianity Explored), planned socials, and enjoyed spending time with internationals at Christmas house parties.  After Tom retired we came to Ireland in June 2024 to encourage friendship and outreach to internationals in CUs and churches.  

My name is Tiwani, I’m Nigerian-born but grew up in Cavan. I’m a graduate of SETU Carlow, studying Sports Coaching and Business Management. I joined CUI in 2021 by doing Relay for a year in Cork, and loved it so much I stayed! I worked on a church internship for a year before moving back to CUI to become Cork Staff Worker in 2023. I love student ministry because it’s such a formative time for young adults, basing themselves on Jesus and seeing them grow in their love of Him is an honour to be a part of and to help facilitate.

I’m married to Shona and we live in West Cork. Outside of CUI you’ll likely find me doing something connected to football or sport in general, or telling people about why Cork is the greatest city in the world.

My name is Mary Wittmer. I have just completed my undergraduate degree at Atlantic Technological University, Galway (whoop whoop!), and I’ll be continuing here in Connacht, working to support the CUs on the ATU Galway and Sligo campuses, and Dóchas at the University of Galway.

Formation became the next course of action for a few reasons. Many individual students across each campus are near and dear to me, and I want a year where investing in them is a priority. Matthew 25:14–30 challenged me to consider what stewarding the time, talents, teaching, and opportunities God has given me could look like for this season. So yeah, boom pop—here we are, y’all. Many things excite me about the year ahead; I recall spending about six hours of what was supposed to be a study day moving from one Bible-based conversation to another. Alongside the encouragement of those chats (and the panic from an unfinished to-do list), I remember thinking: a job that makes this a priority is one I could get on board with. So, I look forward to both the planned and unplanned chats with students that are on God’s sovereign to-do list.

I’m so excited to go into a new year of Student Ministry, working with arts students across the Island of Ireland. Since doing my undergrad in Theatre, I’ve been really passionate about supporting students to navigate their creative degrees and encouraging them to see their creativity as a gift from God. I’ve been personally so encouraged by people in my life who have helped me explore how to use these gifts for the glory of God, and I’m grateful that I get to do the same. I’m looking forward to connecting with students, encouraging them in their practice and playing a small part in helping them think about their outreach on campus and in their classrooms creatively. I’m also excited to see how God will work through them to share His love with students across Ireland.

Hey, my name is Jed and I just finished my last year in TU Dublin Tallaght campus doing accounting and Finance. I will be in Dublin for my year in formation and I’ll be with TU Dublin. I would say I am a very outgoing person as I do like to talk. I have been going out for hikes a lot. I chose to do Formation as I have been feeling a heavy draw for Christ and fulfilment and I would like to develop my knowledge as a Christian and my relationship with God. I feel this draw towards God when Igo to more Christian events, it has shown me how much more of God I want and need. I am excited to show others that they can keep going on as I am. And to develop other people’s growth and persistence in Christ. And also share my experience with Christ. Thank you for your time!

I studied at Maynooth University and will be based in Kildare this year, returning to Maynooth to keep serving in the Christian Union. CU had a huge impact on my walk with Jesus, being part of a community of students who wanted to know God and make Him known was life-changing. It showed me that God uses ordinary people in incredible ways. I chose to do Formation because I’ve seen God move on campus, students meeting Jesus, growing in faith, and stepping into leadership. I’m excited for the chance to keep serving Him while growing in discipleship myself. This year, I’ll be supporting students, leading Bible studies, and helping run outreach events that point others to Christ. I’m looking forward to seeing all that God will do, and I’m trusting Him for a year full of growth, joy, and faithful serving.

I studied at Maynooth University and will be based in Kildare this year, returning to Maynooth to keep serving in the Christian Union. CU had a huge impact on my walk with Jesus, being part of a community of students who wanted to know God and make Him known was life-changing. It showed me that God uses ordinary people in incredible ways. I chose to do Formation because I’ve seen God move on campus, students meeting Jesus, growing in faith, and stepping into leadership. I’m excited for the chance to keep serving Him while growing in discipleship myself. This year, I’ll be supporting students, leading Bible studies, and helping run outreach events that point others to Christ. I’m looking forward to seeing all that God will do, and I’m trusting Him for a year full of growth, joy, and faithful serving.

I want to come alongside and support students as they courageously walk together as light and salt on their campuses. 

I am excited to be able to help empower students to see what an amazing gift they have in Christ. I’ll be working with smaller or more isolated groups in the South–East and Dublin.

My heart’s desire is for them to be thrilled about the transforming work of Christ (that he can affect every aspect of their lives) and embrace the incredible relationship we have with him (because he is intimately involved with us and wants us to know his love) in a personal way. I want to encourage students to be freed to openly share the impact of their life in Christ to peers who may be more open to God and craving connection than ever before because of this last year. 

I’ve loved passing along tools or training to strengthen this ambition. It is amazing to see students catch the vision and just go for it during their college years, especially as these decisions for Christ and experiences in leading will shape the rest of their lives.

I have the privilege in my role to be working with both UCD’s and DCU’s Christian Unions. I’m blessed and excited to be working with the college I went to (DCU) and the college I did CUI’s Relay programme with (UCD).

From being in and working with a CU I’ve seen what it looks like for a Christian Union to be overflowing with God’s love and the effect that has on the university but more importantly on people’s lives. Working with students who love Jesus is a joy and I’m so thankful for that! Seeing God’s power at work in people’s lives is so powerful and beautiful and I’m praying for those on both campuses who will hear the good news of the gospel. I’m also praying for wisdom for the coming challenges and suffering myself and the CU may encounter that we would be reliant on God and his power and provision.