1950’s
The 45,000-strong, 150-campus Evangelical and Students and Graduate Union had its humble beginnings in a small student Bible study group at Addis Ababa University, the then Haile Selassie I University (HSIU). Prior to 1957 E.C (1965), five students had committed themselves to fasting, prayer and Bible study. Seeking a place to gather, these students rented a small house near the university with 35 Ethiopian birr. Names like Ato Teka Gebru, Brehane Abraham, Ekubezge Seyoum and Philipos Kameri were among those who had a significant part in the students gathering at the small rented house. The prayer meeting of these students was lively and filled with an undying passion for them to share their faith with unbelievers. It was also marked by a contagious love for one another. This small beginning through prayer, fellowship and teaching, attracted many students who joined the group for prayer, Bible study and worship. At that time, there was also a regular university student centered program at SIM (Sudan Interior Mission) Youth Centre which was located around Arat (4) Kilo. University students attended programs that were held both in the small rented prayer house and SIM Youth Centre. The latter was a key place of equipment and edification. Expatriate staff, which had come to HSIU as teachers, were a great encouragement to the university students. A few of these expatriates were Dr. Robinson, Dr. Perry, Dr. Rose, Dr. Dennis, and a little later, Dr. Atwood. These professors had a heart for student ministry and encouraged students in their faith, supporting them in any manner they could.
The expat teachers had significant involvement in teaching God’s word at the Centre. Through their relationship with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), they were able to bring gifted preachers and teachers from different parts of the world to the Youth Centre.
With the growing interest among university students, the director of the SIM Youth Center, Mr. Manski, prepared a special place for them to come together for prayer and Bible study. Though their meeting had no a regular format, these students continued to meet repeatedly. As time went on and the fellowship strengthened, the desire for a name came to the discussion table. In 1966, without taking much time, they thoughtfully choose the name, Ethiopian University Christian Students’ Fellowship (EUSCF). During this same period, student fellowships were also established at HSIU’s Gondar and Haromaya campuses, which were the then part of HSIU.
In 1967, the first conference of Ethiopian University Students’ Christian Fellowship (EUSCF) held in Ambo town. The attendees were from Addis Ababa Campuses, Haromaya and Gondar Colleges. There was a representative of the Pan Africa Evangelical Students Fellowship (PAESF) from Kenya. At this point of history, EUSCF had three local fellowships on three campuses run by local committees and coordinated by the National Committee. In 1968, the venue for the regular meetings of EUSCF moved to the then newly-constructed Mekane Yesus Youth Hostel, located at Amist (5) Kilo. From there, the student fellowship flourished.