Category: Teach Students (Page 3 of 7)

“I sometimes prayed when I was little. . .but I could never find the answer to whether God was there or not. . . After I came here I was curious about American church, and I heard about the Fall conference for students. During the worship time I felt something and I was touched by God. At that time I was sure God existed, and noticed he was always with me, even when I was little. . . . When I go back to my home country, I want to help others who are interested in God just like my friends helped me.”

These were some of the powerful words shared by a new Christian international student at the University of Kansas to her friends and others.  As a result of her testimony, another student from her country is interested in studying the Bible, too.  Equipping international students to be world changers is the core of InterVarsity’s International Student ministry.  Please pray for Masami to find strong Christian community as she returns home this winter.

“I’m here because God told me to be here this weekend..but I don’t want to be here,” shared Dan, a Johnson County Community College student, during the first night of Fall Conference. Twenty-four hours later, a smiling Dan approached Area Director of InterVarsity in Kansas, Tim Lin, and said, “I figured out why God wanted me here! I’m here because I needed to re-establish my relationship with Jesus. And I’m now ready to do that!”

The Kansas area fall conference saw other students greatly impacted, too.  An international student began following Jesus for the first time. A Longview Community College student felt God’s love during the weekend and she was also ready to restart her relationship with Him. A student from Park University was so encouraged in his faith at the conference that when he was approached by two non-Christian friends for emotional support back on campus (not usually his strong-suit) he listened well, prayed for them and even led a mini-Bible study with one on the spot.

These are just a few of the hundreds of lives that were touched in big or small ways during fall conferences throughout the region this month.  Thank you so much for your prayers for many to say yes.

The Central Region has an ongoing partnership with the work of SONOKO, a sister movement of InterVarsity/USA in Cambodia.  Former Central Region staff, Steph Schmaltz, directs the growing movement there and recently shared about their end of the year training:

“Each May we combine both of our branches (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap) for a leadership training. Over my past five years in Cambodia I have seen this training grow tremendously. This year everything was led by our local staff. From worship, to Bible exposition, to seminar training they planned and executed it all! It was super encouraging to see and reassuring to know that our local staff are ready for more levels of responsibility.”

As a member of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, InterVarsity/USA is privileged to work alongside national movements that share the gospel with students around the globe.  Whether it is sending staff to help those movements develop or having a chance to meet with groups while on service trips or studying overseas, this worldwide network of Christian students is truly an amazing family.

“I can see Jesus, He is reaching out his hand to me. He wants me to give him my troubles and fear,” shared one student after last week’s International Getaway.  “I really enjoyed the intellectual conversations on the scriptures. Through our studies I can see the uniqueness of Jesus; no other prophet is like Him. There is something different about Him and I want to read more about Him,” explained another.

60 international students from around the region gathered near the lake of the Ozarks, May 12-16th.  While there, friendships were deepened and many met with God in His word for the first time.  Six students also indicated that they wanted to begin following Jesus!  Praise God for His harvest work during these five days as well as all the seeds planted for the future.

Every May, international students who are studying at campuses around the region make their way to a camp on the edge of the Lake of the Ozarks. Here they boat, swim, have campfires and learn about Jesus. International Getaway 2017 runs from May 12-16^th and the region is hoping to have more attendees from more schools then ever before.

Most of the students who attend this conference are not yet followers of Jesus and so the weekend is crucial for them to spend time (sometimes for the first time) in scripture, ask questions and build friendships with believers. If you would like more details as this incredible conference takes place, sign up to partner with us in prayer.

“It started with just us three … but now there are so many coming we have to borrow more chairs from our neighbor!” exclaimed Kansas University student, Alberto, to his InterVarsity staff. After encouragement to start new things among his friends on campus, Alberto launched a Latin American prayer group. In just four weeks the group has grown from three students to twelve that meet to read scripture and pray in their native language of Spanish.

The students are internationals from many countries, including Honduras, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru and the Dominican Republic. Some are Christian while others are not or have become distant in their relationship with Jesus. It is exciting to see student leadership creating a place for Spanish-speaking international students to connect with God.

“I took a big risk this past week! I shared the gospel with someone I know!” Haleemah, a student that InterVarsity staff Erica Li mentors at St Louis Community College, is normally very bold in sharing her faith, but mostly with people she won’t see again. After the evangelism training she attended two weeks ago, she felt challenged to share the gospel in an ongoing relationship.

Last week, she met up with a high school friend who goes to her college as well. As the conversation unfolded, she saw a clear connection between her friend’s current struggles and the healing that Jesus offers.

Haleemah shared the gospel and asked her friend to consider following Jesus.  She said no, but, Haleemah courageously invited her into continued community – one of the places where she is learning to trust Jesus the most right now in her life.  They plan to meet up to do an investigative Bible study on Jesus, women, and how to develop self-confidence.