About Us

Our History

WHERE IT
ALL STARTED

AFES groups have been gathering on university campuses for almost 100 years. Founded by students for students, local Christian groups have continued to meet regularly to investigate the Bible, share the good news of Jesus, and support each other in their faith.

Jesus remains the centre of our groups. We proclaim Him. We seek to live for Him. Our doctrinal basis remains unchanged.  We continue to be a community of friends, learners, and leaders. And we are all seeking to know God at university by opening the Bible together. 

1930 | Afes

The seeds are planted

In 1930, Australian university students gathered to hear English evangelist Dr Howard Guinness. With single-minded devotion to Christ, he spoke on the power of the gospel to transform lives. Students were convicted: they needed to tell people about Jesus on campus. Taking up the call to evangelism, Christian groups formed on university campuses across Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, and Brisbane.

1936 | IVF

A fellowship is formed

Guinness returned to Australia three years later to encourage the fledgling groups. Small evangelical unions began in Perth and Adelaide, and in 1936, this national network became the Australian Inter Varsity Fellowship (IVF).

1947 | Afes

An international fellowship is formed

The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) formed in 1947, and Australia was one of its ten founding members.

AFES?

Our group is part of AFES, the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students, a national community of students discovering Jesus together. All AFES groups across Australia stand in the same grace of God, the same gospel of Christ. Being part of this wider community means we’re connected to other campus groups, supported by experienced staff, and able to be part of something bigger than ourselves. 

Visit AFES website