Who we are
What is ÖSM?
The "ÖSM-Christians at University" is a collection of Christian students at Austrian universities. We want to show that belief in God is logical, rational, and of particular relevance to students.
We organise talks, social events, discussions and many other activities in and around Austria’s universities. Our goal is to consider the biggest questions of life together. Whatever you think or believe, you are very welcome to come and join us.
ÖSM-Christians at University is part of the worldwide Christian student movement, IFES.
What are ÖSM Groups?
Austrian Student Mission is made up of several local groups in cities across Austria. There is no typical ÖSM student – we have people from all possible fields of study! The groups are led by students themselves, with help from ÖSM employees and volunteers.
Vision
Experience God. Live out your faith. Change Austria.
We want to meet with and experience God. These experiences shouldn’t, however, remain only theoretical and private, as we want to live out our faith - personally, as Christians in our studies, as well as within student groups. The way we want to achieve the latter is through making the Christian faith a socially relevant theme at the universities. Our desire is that students become life-long disciples of Jesus. Through young men and women who love Jesus, and are ready to recognise their responsibility in the church and society, we want to see individuals, and consequently all of Austria, changed.
Mission-Statement
Our task is, in the community of students, who authentically live out their faith in Jesus Christ and see themselves as the prolonged arm of the churches at their universities, to invite our classmates to this personal faith and a life with Jesus Christ.
Strategic Goals
- Formación: ÖSM wants to equip students and make them consistent followers of Jesus.
- Mission (Evangelisation / World Mission): We want to make the Christian faith a theme at universities and invite our classmates, teachers and friends to get to know Jesus Christ.
Structure
Groups, Leadership Teams and the Student Leaders Network
The most important part of ÖSM are the city groups. These are organized in a variety of ways, each according to their needs and strengths. Based on their size, they may divide into smaller groups and teams.
Each student group has at least one leader, or, usually, a leadership team. It is in this way that the students are taking up responsibility. All leadership teams across Austria form the national Student Leaders Network (in German: Studentenleitungskreis, or ‚SLK‘). This committee, which meets once a semester, makes decisions about strategic, nationwide steps of action and is a platform for exchanging experiences and for mutual support. The ‘SLK’ is led by an SLK-Leader or an SLK-Leadership Team (i.e. the “Leader of Leaders Team”).
Full-Time Employees
The groups and leadership teams are supported by full-time employees, the so called “travel secretaries”. They coach, train and accompany the students (English: “ÖSMer”; German: “ÖSMler”) in their respective city. When there is no travel secretary in a particular city, the leadership teams are supported by group tutors (usually ex-ÖSMer). The overall responsibility for the work nationwide is carried by the General Secretary.
Society
"ÖSM-Christen an der Uni" is a legally recognised society with a board. The board represents the ÖSM to third parties, and is responsible for the ÖSM's employment of full-time employees, the budget and the theological direction.
The board is made up of volunteers: typically the SLK leadership team and graduates (usually previous students, who were active in the ÖSM when they studied and still identify with the goals and work of ÖSM).
Funding
The ÖSM is financed through donations from graduates, churches, students and all of those who think the work of ÖSM is worth investing in. Most of the donors are from within Austria. If you would like to support the ÖSM, you can find our donations account here.
Staff
One of the ÖSM’s core principles is that it is student-led. It is intended that students reach out to other students. However, the student groups (and especially their leaders) receive support from their respective staff member. Each staff member is responsible for the groups within a certain region, as well as an area of the ÖSM’s overall work.
The general secretary oversees the work done by the ÖSM. He is responsible for the goals, organization, staff care and evaluation of the entire ÖSM ministry.
Thomas Hagmüller
General Secretary
Responsibilities: coordination and overall management of the ÖSM ministry, international networking
Regions: Salzburg, Innsbruck
Contact: thomas.hagmueller@oesm.at
Internship
Chiara Zeller
Region: Wien
Contact:c.zeller@oesm.at
Olivia Clarke
Region: Wien
Contact:o.clarke@oesm.at
Student executive committee (SLK)
The national “Student executive committee” (Studentenleitungskreis/SLK) is comprised of the leaders of every city group in Austria. This committee meets once every semester to make decisions about strategic nationwide activities, as well as to exchange experiences and encourage one another. The SLK is lead by the SLK leader or the SLK leadership team (the leadership-leadership-team, so to speak).
History
In 1947, IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) was founded by representatives of seven national student movements from countries such as England, China, and the United States. They were united by a common goal: to pray and work towards seeing the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed at every university in the world through autonomous groups led by students.
In 1967, a first group of students met in Vienna following outreaches performed by OM teams. In 1969, the first attempts to found an association were made.
In 1972, a group was formed in Graz as a result of work done by Noor Van Haften and Janice Wheeler. The student flat in the Merangasse also played a key role.
In 1973, a group was founded in Innsbruck. Within a year, it had over thirty members.
In November 1973, the ÖSM was founded as an association according to Austrian law.
In 1974, groups were established in Salzburg and Linz.
In 1975, the individual Austrian groups united to become the ÖSM. This is considered to be the official starting point of the ÖSM.
Since 1979, the ÖSM has been a member of the IFES network. This network includes more than 170 independent national movements who share the same values and are united by a common vision.