International Student Ministry – Uniquely positioned for the future

Last year, an eye-opening pronouncement from a respected missionary group called Asian Partners International surfaced saying, “By the year 2005, 80% of the countries with unreached people groups will no longer accept traditional missionary efforts.” Today, the implications of this prediction on world missions are staggering. These harsh new realities in the area of global evangelism further highlight the strategic role that International Students, Inc. has in overcoming the obstacles of today’s emerging paradigm. ISI’s strategy of planting “embedded” agents of the Gospel in positions of influence makes more sense now than ever before. One of the most strategic solutions to fulfilling the Great Commission is planting native “influencers” (returned international students) in every nation around the world. This makes what we do one of the most relevant and effective outreaches of the modern world. It puts ISI in a unique position to carry the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ forward into the closed world of tomorrow through the future leaders reached today.

This year, over 698,000 international students and scholars are enrolled at colleges and universities across the US. Many of these students are destined to become the future world leaders. {To see a list of current world leaders who studied in the US click here} Approximately 60% of these potential future leaders come from the countries in the 10/40 Window, many of which are closed to traditional missionary outreach. They represent the best and brightest of their respective countries, and many will return to their homelands to take up positions of influence and impact in business, science and government.

International Students, Inc. is committed to providing the moral compass of knowing Jesus Christ to these future leaders. Our vision, therefore, is to see every international student befriended, led to a personal relationship with Christ, and discipled to impact their nations for Him. You have the opportunity to help us impact our world for the cause of Christ—one future leader at a time.

What We Do

Working in partnership with local churches and other international student ministries, ISI staff and volunteers befriend international students who have come to the US to study, offering tangible services in a variety of areas, from providing transportation or inviting them to join a family activity, to teaching English skills or exploring the Bible. Along the way, they share the message of God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Deeper relationships are formed through our Friendship Partner program where a student is paired for friendship with an American family. Bible studies and spiritual discussion groups are also provided as students express interest.

This context of trust and friendship forms a basis for sharing the opportunity to know Jesus Christ personally. For those who become Christians, ISI provides discipleship training, from basic Christian principles to advanced Christian leadership skills, to help them grow in their faith and equip him or her to be an effective witness when the student returns home.

As Christian international students return home, many are able to make contact with local Christians in their homelands due to ISI’s Global Follow-Up Network (GFUN). The GFUN consists of local churches and individual Christians who are available to befriend returning students as they readjust to their home cultures, and assist them in joining a local church and becoming involved in ministry.

Future Provision for ISI’s Strategic Mission

International Students, Inc. is experiencing an explosion of ministry to international students, and what greater opportunity is there than to introduce them to Jesus and involve them in ministry to their friends, families, and fellow countrymen when they return home. There are few ministries as strategic as ISI in fulfilling the Great Commission. Ministering to representatives from hundreds of nations in our own country is a remarkably cost-effective way to spread the Gospel throughout the world. [Click here to donate now.]

ISI’s efforts are effectively directed toward evangelism, foreign and home-mission service, international church planting, and reaching the world’s academic leaders on university and college campuses across the US. Students who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be bold witnesses for Him in their own countries. Like American missionaries, they will successfully accomplish Christ’s work, but unlike their Western brothers and sisters, in their homelands they will connect to their culture, language, and society in ways that will make their ministry much more effective. Thank you for providing us the opportunity to share with you the ministry of International Students, Inc.