The audience was welcomed by Yun Shin, FCSI chairman then worship and singing both in Arabic and Hebrew led by the students, John Woodhead who is considered ?The father of FCSI? shared with a word of encouragement and nostalgia, followed by a representative from the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students who came from France. This was a good time for current students to learn and know about the history of the student movement they are involved in, for graduates to reunite after many years and for church leaders o know more about FCSI.

John Woodhead who was born in Tiberias to a Scotch father and a Danish mother, and grew up in Nazareth in an Arab Community but went to a Jewish school, came back to Israel in 1980 backed up by the Scotch student movement to see what can be done. Student ministry existed then in Israel but not as a national movement. The first conference was in 1980 attended by 20-30 people with one student only!! But the Lord was faithful and ministry grew up during the first years to include more local students and student groups, with a national board and student committee. Then in 1987 FCSI joined IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) http://www.ifesworld.org as a member, later on in 1989 FCSI became an Amuta (Registered officially in the government).

FCSI has played in it?s 25 years a key role in the life of the evangelical church in Israel: It was one of the first ministries in Israel that involved Messianic Jews, Arab Christians and internationals from various denominations, Many of the student leaders in the past are the leaders in today?s churches and congregations in the country where the leadership role that FCSI gave helped form leadership in the church.

FCSI?s vision is to be the hand of the church to reach out for the 250,000 students in Israel who will most probably shape the society in the future. Today there are 11 student groups in the country with contact to FCSI, the last student conference that followed the 25 celebrations brought more that 120 students.

To learn more about FCSI visit http://www.fcsi.ws