History

1974

University Action is founded in the university city of Leuven, Belgium by Jerry and Pat Sandidge, missionaries with the US Assemblies of God. In 1980, Jerry Sandidge becomes Director for Student Ministry in Europe. When the university of Leuven is divided into separate French and Flemish campuses, University Action moves to the newly-built French campus at Louvain-la-Neuve. Bob & Lucille Smith take over leadership at Louvain-la-Neuve in 1982. Sadly, both groups eventually close after the deaths of Jerry Sandidge and Bob Smith to cancer.

1981

John and Anita Koeshall begin student ministry in Munich, Germany. Bob and Paula Marks arrive in Nice, France and begin establishing student groups there and in surrounding areas until their return to the US in 1992.

1983

Dr. Jim Bradford conducts a training week in Germany and France, bringing new direction and focus to European student ministry using his US-based Chi Alpha university group as a model.

1984

John Koeshall is named European Director for Student Ministry. Many university groups are added in Germany (Students for Christ) and France (Chrétiens en Action) throughout the 1980s.

1991

John and Anita Koeshall relocate to Brussels, Belgium, to establish a summer student training program and center for European student leaders. Training events continue annually, with European-wide student conferences taking place every 2-3 years.

2000's

Throughout this decade, university ministry presence continues in Germany and France and is established in 11 other countries: Austria, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Spain and Sweden. Leadership is comprised of both missionaries and European nationals.

2008

The legally-recognized international non-profit organization Students for Christ - Europe is formed and headquartered in Belgium.

2010

SFC-Europe along with the Hungarian national church host the Global Student Encounter in Budapest, Hungary. Blair and Dina Bonin are named coordinators for SFC-Europe.