The University of Victoria, UVIC

Since 1983, when we moved to beautiful Victoria, BC, I have had a deep affection for the local university students. There are a few different Christian ministries on the campus, and I have been involved with most of them, speaking at student gatherings, participating in prayer groups and, for several years, hosting weekly gatherings at my home.

I was invited to speak at one of the weekly meetings of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF). I was happy to accept the invitation and, having prepared my message, arrived at the University building where the meeting was to take place. A student greeted me and then, rather sheepishly, asked if I could limit my time to half an hour as there had been a mix-up and another student had arrived from a campus “up-island”, anticipating that he was to be the speaker that evening. I responded that I would be totally willing for him to take the whole time and would not be offended at all. I enjoyed sitting in on this eager group of students as they fellowshipped around the Lord and His Word.

As in so many of my stories already told, this dis-appointment would turn out to be a stepping stone into future wonderful times with IVCF. I guess they might have felt a little indebted to me because, shortly afterwards I received a telephone call late one evening just after I arrived home from a church meeting. “Pastor Evans, would you be able to come and speak at our Christmas Banquet on Friday evening (two days away)? Our scheduled speaker is sick in Toronto and our leader is away with him at some conference. He phoned me earlier today to ask me to call you, but when I did so earlier, your wife told me you were out. I have tried several other pastors, but they all said it is too short notice. Can you please come?” When I answered in the affirmative (“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defence to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;” – 1 Pet 3:15 NASB), he was elated, and I heard a great sigh of relief. That was a wonderful evening with over 100 students in attendance. So I began my love-bond with IVCF (Intervarsity Christian Fellowship) and its leader, Jack D. Whenever I was home from my itinerant work, I would be supporting Jack in his work.

An interesting “coincidence” has just happened. I have not seen Jack for many years but, just as I was typing the above, my telephone rang. It was Jack. He was in Victoria for the afternoon and wondered if we might have coffee together! What a good time we shared reminiscing over those times of long ago. Coincidence? I think not. I prefer to believe it was “Godincidence” where the Father was expressing His pleasure at what I had written.

Some time later, after Jack had moved on to another ministry and another province, I became involved with a different campus work – UCM (University Christian Ministries) led by Tony J. Again, a close bond was formed, and Anne and I would host a gathering of 10–12 students at our home every week for a number of years.

My love for the students also took another form. I started a prayer walk every week, usually on Mondays, around the 2km circular road that defines the campus. Sometimes I had students walk with me, but I was mostly alone. I did this for about twenty years, hardly ever seeing anyone else on a prayer walk. Indeed, I even wrote an email addressed to all the churches in Victoria encouraging their members to take an hour out each week to do as I was doing – but with little known response (how sad!) – until a growing discomfort in my legs due to arthritis brought it to an end. I was stopped with bowed head, 200 meters short of my bus terminus, when a voice behind me called my name. It was Terri, leader of IVCF. So I began a new relationship as we met weekly at my home to pray together, until she left to marry Mike, one of the regular attendees at our weekly gathering.

Shortly after my final walk, a young man came to our church. I greeted him and asked, “What brought you here?” to which he replied, “You did!” He explained, “I have recently started a prayer walk around the UVIC campus with some other graduate students and professors. We have heard of the man who walked there every week, so I have come to see you for myself.” How my heart sang that my burden had now been taken up by others. God has His workers everywhere.

After Anne’s passing, I felt it was time to sell my home of 40 years. As I write this chapter, I can hear the buzz of electric drills and saws as workmen are upgrading my house for the new owners, due to take possession in one month. They are James and his wife Josie, whom you shall meet in the next chapter, and who have become such dear friends. You can imagine my joy to know that it is their intent to lease their house to students with IVCF under Terri’s leadership! The Lord’s name will continue to be praised here, and many will come to know Him in the rooms where I have prayed so long! Thank you, Lord Jesus!