FT270


The second the new students arrived, the Christian Union set about introducing them to Jesus.

In my case, we hadn’t even parked in front of my hall of residence (an outbuilding of Durham University’s Coll­ege of St Hild and St Bede), when we were approached by a beaming third-year offering to help me and my parents unpack.

“What a friendly guy!” I remember thinking as he assisted us in unloading the mass­ive computer, the heaving suitcases and the telly. As I got chatting to other freshers, our helper chimed in: “OK, Ed! It was really nice to meet you! I’ve left an invitation to a party that we’re having!