Evangelism Among University Students: A Study of Scripture Union Activities at the University of Jos

This study evaluates the evangelism activities of the Scripture Union (SU) at the University of Jos, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, and assesses their effectiveness in reaching, converting, and retaining new student believers. Campus evangelism in Nigeria's Middle Belt faces distinctive challenges related to the post-conflict spiritual climate, multi-religious student demographics, and the competing spiritual allegiances of a highly diverse student population. Using a descriptive survey design, data are collected from 200 student members and non-members of the University of Jos SU chapter, supplemented by twelve interviews with SU patrons, student leaders, and university chaplains. The study measures awareness of SU evangelism activities, conversion patterns, discipleship retention rates, and perceived barriers to engagement. Findings indicate that SU's open-air evangelism, room-to-room outreach, and evangelistic Bible study series are effective in generating initial spiritual interest, but discipleship retention beyond the first semester is weak, particularly among students from Muslim backgrounds or those navigating post-traumatic stress from past communal violence. The study recommends the development of trauma-sensitive evangelism and discipleship materials for SU chapters in Plateau State and calls for inter-fellowship cooperation to close the gap between initial evangelism and long-term faith formation. Keywords: campus evangelism, Scripture Union, University of Jos, discipleship, student ministry