Last August, I met Punit and Madhavi. Both are graduate students at a university nearby. They moved into apartments on campus with the 70 pounds of luggage they had each brought from their homes in India. Neither had a bed. Neither had basic kitchen appliances. Neither had a desk. Neither had living room furniture. And they lived this way for six months until some members of local churches noticed and began to provide those items for their apartments and much more. They began to provide friendship in Jesus name- sharing not only their lives but the gospel as well. -I Thess. 2:8
Often church members would do something that would minister to an international student if they only knew what was needed. Here are several suggestions that your church could implement in order to minister to the nations coming to your cities and towns to study at university campuses.
First, contact a campus minister (BSM Director if there is one or a staff member with International Students Inc.) who works with international students on a daily basis and ask them what you or your church can do. If there is not a campus ministry reaching international students, then call and set up a meeting with the director of the International Student Services office at a campus near you. Introduce yourself during that meeting and ask this question, “Whats one thing you’d like to do for your students that you don’t have the time or resources to do which would make their stay here a success?” And listen to see if one of the things they list is something your church could begin to do.
Second, invite some international students to your home for a meal. Did you know that many study here for two to four years and are never invited to share a meal with anyone outside of the university? Be sure to check with them about dietary restrictions before preparing your meal. Some may not eat meat or may only eat some kinds of meat. Do your best to honor that restriction so that you can continue to befriend them.
Third, ask them what their needs are and look for ways to meet those needs. On the campus closest to me it relates to unfurnished apartments, but your situation may create different needs. Most of these students won’t have a car when they arrive so it may be transportation to and from the grocery store or to the airport for holiday breaks.
Fourth, participate in events on the campus which involve international students. Find out when and where events happen that church members could come to in order to meet an international student. Many campuses have welcome parties at the beginning of the year and would welcome the help of American volunteers.
Ultimately, I’d like to encourage you to seek to establish a relationship with one or two international students or one apartment full of them. Extending friendship in the name of Christ to them over the long haul of their academic career is where you will find the most fruitfulness of your efforts.
-Beth Smith is International Student Ministry Specialist for Collegiate Ministry at the BGCT. She is available to help your church understand and develop ministry to international students in your community. For more information email us at collegeministry@bgct.org.
Posted by Ginger 
