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ISI is Grateful for Prayer Over Worldwide Expansion!

2/29/2016

Learn more about a dynamic spiritual movement changing lives—at this very moment.

“Now I am giving you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples,” John 13:34-35 (NLT)
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When we open our hearts to others, it is as though God’s light shines twice as brightly!

I enjoy seeing how the Lord uses the initiative and love of His people to show who He is to those who don’t yet know Him. It starts with someone like you who simply reaches out to another person. I truly believe that even the smallest act of kindness can reflect God’s love in such a way that can change a life. We get to see this happen all the time through the dedication of ministry staff and volunteers!

One of the many ways we are blessed to serve as His disciples is through the M:28 Discovery Bible study. This powerful Bible study lets participants practice this precious commandment by way of studying God’s Word in a safe, supportive community of fellowship, prayer and genuine acceptance. It’s working beautifully to help us further our mission to reach every international student for Christ!

What’s more, is that a dynamic spiritual movement continues to sweep over our worldwide training of M:28 leaders. In the Pacific Northwest, we’ve held several meetings that exposed many people to ISI’s ministry––of which around 70 were key regional leaders intent on using M:28. Among them were college presidents, pastors, international students from many countries, even denominational church leaders.

One recent M:28 trainee is training leaders all across Nepal. Our international students are having an influence for Christ across the globe!

In fact, I want to share with you the testimony of one of these amazing students! I met and talked to this young man, a Hindu convert, for about an hour and a half in the Seattle area. He is an IT specialist, who has spent several years in ISI Bible studies. He told me about his commitment to Christ! Now enrolled in seminary, he looks forward to working with other international students in a pastoral role, when he completes his studies. His Hindu parents have reluctantly accepted the fact that despite repeated efforts, they have been unable to reconvert him. He still hopes for future resolution with them and the chance to someday in the future, lead them to Christ.

In efforts to reach more students like this young man, we are doubling our Church Mobilization efforts to share with thousands of congregations in key cities the need for M:28-trained staff to help reach international students. This is part of the S.A.L.T. (Strategic Advance Leadership Teams) Initiative, focusing on mobile platforms and our expansion of the success of M:28 throughout the world.

This level of worldwide outreach is sustained by the prayers of friends like you who come alongside us. Will you pray for our staffers and the students God leads their way? I thank you in advance for your faithfulness to this ministry. Without God’s provision through your faithfulness, nothing happens. Thank you for helping us live out the Great Commission and our mission to reach every international student for Christ!

For More Information
Learn more about becoming a volunteer with International Students, Inc.

Help international students adjust to live in the U.S. with this informative ISI website.

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ISI Celebrates ‘A Lifetime of Service’

2/22/2016

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Longtime staff member lived her life as a perennial light to others.

“And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those He has set apart for Himself,”
Acts 20:32 (NLT)

“You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’” Acts 20:34-35 (NLT)

Even well into her later years, longtime ministry staff member Millie Redding-Thompson was quick to dance at grandkids’ weddings. She also loved to reach out to people by posting regularly on Facebook—to her more than one thousand friends! Millie took every opportunity she had to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Friend, it fills my heart with sadness that Millie, 90, and her husband, Thom Thompson, 88, died in a recent and tragic carbon monoxide poisoning accident.
And though my heart may be full of sadness, it is equally full of gratitude and inspiration.

You see, Millie was easily one of the most beloved members of our staff. Her life truly embodied the phrase “a lifetime of service.” She was such a light to others. I want to share with you some of her background and legacy in hopes that her “lifetime of service” can inspire even more people! Here are some highlights from Millie’s life:

After graduating from Biola University in 1950, Millie and her first husband, Elcho Redding, became missionaries to India. Nearly a decade later, they became missionaries to Tibet. They loved––and were loved by––the Tibetan people, even befriending the Dalai Lama. In fact, on one of his recent trips to America, one of the Dalai Lama’s formal requests was to meet Millie again in person!

Millie was married to Elcho for 59 years. She happily remarried to Thom, years following Elcho’s passing, at 89-years-old.

If you knew Millie, you knew that people from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances were naturally drawn to her and her openness. Millie was always welcoming. Her gift of hospitality, in fact, always had her welcoming strangers, offering a cup of tea and bringing people into the Redding home. I truly believe that her selfless service and contagious smile showed people the face of God. She was so many things to so many people. Millie was a wife, teacher, mother, mother-in-law, and friend. She was called Mom, Grandma, Sister, Daughter, and Disciple.

Her wonderful gift of hospitality and sharing produced even more fruit in 1967, when the Reddings joined International Students, Inc. The ministry, in which the Reddings ministered to international students in Orange County, truly never ended. Millie, even in her senior years, remained a strong ambassador for the Lord!

I had the privilege of speaking at Millie’s memorial service in Washington, which gave me an opportunity to praise God for a life well lived. We love and miss Millie and Thom––but we also rejoice in their testimony. And we’re heartened to realize that these are the kinds of people who comprise International Students, Inc. Millie has left a trail of thousands of international students she had infused with hospitality, salvation in Christ, and a passion for the Great Commission. Millie lived her life here on earth for the Lord, and the Lord alone. I am truly honored and blessed to have known such an incredible person.

I want to take a moment to remind and encourage you of this important fact: When you take the time to lift up International Students, Inc. in prayer, or when you make the time to volunteer with us, you help create the same kind of ripple effect that Millie initiated time and time again when she poured out her life to reaching international students.

Friend, when you do this, you impact the lives of students like Mary. A Communist party member, Mary began attending a Friday Night Fellowship, then a Discovery Bible Study. She soon accepted Christ! After being baptized, Mary began enthusiastically sharing her faith with others, including with her parents. Despite the huge risk, Mary simply did not know another way to follow Jesus than to share His Good News with others. One day, her father unexpectedly shared something he hadn’t told her mother––that he’d also been seeking the truth about God. Mary has since returned to Asia, where she continues her witness not only to her parents, but to friends she’s invited to church, and continues Bible study over Skype.

When I think about Millie and all of our other dedicated staff members and volunteers, I am reminded of just how much you touch the lives of students like Mary. You are literally helping to change lives! What better gift to give someone than sharing the Good News of Jesus and the opportunity for everlasting life through Him!

I am reminded of when Paul gave his last message to the elders of the church at Ephesus. In knowing that he would never see them again, he advised them to guard themselves and guard God’s flock. Later in the passage he tells them, “You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive,’” Acts 20:34-35 (NLT).

As I reflect on Millie’s “lifetime of service” and our staff and volunteers here at International Students, Inc., I am humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you for your dedication to living out the Great Commission! Thank you for so boldly living out the words of Jesus Christ!

For More Information

Learn more about International Students, Inc.

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ISI: Reach the World from Right Where You Are!

2/15/2016

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Learn more about what ISI is doing to keep up with the expected worldwide increase in international students.

“From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another,” John 1:16 (NLT).

“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance,” Psalm 65:11 (NLT).

Although it’s sometimes a challenge to put words to the incredible blessings we get to witness here at International Students, Inc., it’s always a joy to share the news! Friend, we are experiencing abundant harvest, facing abundant opportunities, seeing abundant prophetic fulfillment, and anticipating abundant expectations of greater things to come!

It’s exciting to think that international student growth in the US and worldwide is estimated to double by 2020! This provides staff and volunteers the opportunity to share our abundant blessings with even more students! This will help us, no doubt, with our mission to reach every international student for Christ!

I want to share with you a letter that shows what a blessing it is to be able to serve as a missionary right here in the US. The daughter of a longtime staff member with International Students, Inc. wrote:

“It is a misconception that we have to go far away to be missionaries. I didn’t grow up in China, but I grew up with China, Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda, Eritrea, South Korea, Taiwan, Chile, India, Switzerland, and the Philippines in my living room....We live by the provision of God, like any other missionary in the field—it just so happens that the field comes to us. We reach the world from Connecticut.”

Through international students, God has placed “the ends of the earth” close to every believer! I encourage you to find ways to reach out to one of these “earth ends” in your community. It will bless you beyond measure.

I want to share with you some more good news: By 2025, more than 50% of world leaders will have been international students, according to early projections. This gives us all even more opportunities to serve as missionaries right here at home! We are more focused than ever on preparing for the 7 million international students that are expected worldwide in just a few years. The recent launch of our S.A.L.T. (Strategic Advance Leadership Teams) Initiative will support this abundant increase in international students.

Let me share with you our exciting plans for S.A.L.T.! The three-year initiative is focused on accelerating ministry impact through the following: Church Mobilization, Outreach and Technology, and our M:28 Global Discipleship model. Our goals in these areas include:

Church Mobilization Outreach

Equip, resource, and train the US Church to reach international students
Add 1,000 new church partners
Mobilize volunteers to engage with students

Outreach and Technology

Online evangelism to international students in Europe, India, and China through Global Media Outreach Partnership
300,000 Gospel Presentations
Develop cutting edge social media and web follow-up process

M:28 Global Discipleship

Impact 1,000,000 people over the next three years
Video and Radio tests worldwide
Create enhanced follow-up process
Develop Mobile App

While reflecting on our many gifts from the Lord, which includes our ongoing expansion through our S.A.L.T. Initiative, I am reminded of Scripture, which tells us that “From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another,” John 1:16 (NLT).

Please join us as we lift Him up in praise for allowing us the opportunity to “reach the ends of the earth” right here in our own communities. I look forward to updating you on our “gracious blessings” as we move forward with our mission to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus with every international student!

For More Information
Read “The ISI Approach to Ministry to International Students.”

See what international students are saying about ISI!

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ISI ‘Shares in the Glory of the Lord’ with Students Around the Globe!

2/10/2016

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Staying connected with students is a true ‘blessing and a joy!’

“He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
2 Thessalonians 2:14 (NLT).

How incredible is it that our ministry staff and volunteers get to “share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ,” every day! Last year, every single hour of every single day, an international student came to Christ through our ministry! With our ongoing expansion, which includes an even stronger social media presence, I am hopeful we will see similar—or even greater—numbers in 2016!

One of the many ways we are already blessed by technology is our ability to stay connected with our international students after they return to home. It’s sobering to realize that while we are free to worship as we please here in the United States, many international students who have returned home as Christians have no other fellowship outside of what we can provide them. Let’s not let them down! What an incredible privilege God has given us through ministering to students—even after they leave the United States!

One of our ISI staff members sent in a wonderful example of how we can continue discipling students by way of Facebook and Skype after they return home. He writes:

“Follow up is a critical part of this ministry to international students. I just had such a face-to-face call with Zhou who became a follower of Jesus in June of 2012. He is at home in China and is following his Lord and Savior. He told me about a co-worker who likes to talk about God but is afraid of others knowing. He also mentioned another co-worker who is talking to him about God but is antagonistic and demeaning. Zhou is standing his ground and being a light in the dark world around him. He is not afraid of sharing Jesus with others. Sadly, Zhou does not know any other Christians in the city of millions of people. For now, I am his only source of Bible discussion and prayer outside his personal time with God. Zhou said he cherishes our time studying the Bible together. And this is so humbling for me. I wish everyone could experience this joy of being able to mentor a new believer. It is a blessing and a joy!”

We are so blessed to be able to communicate in real time with returnee students, especially those who have little or no Christian fellowship in their respective locations. We look forward to ongoing online expansion, which will greatly enhance our ministry’s ability to reach students in closed countries!

Friend, I am thrilled to announce that our Global Media Outreach evangelism website total results through 2015 include:

141,796 Gospel presentations
7,174 students accepting Christ
6,729 students requesting discipleship

We are also excited for God’s provision in launching our increased social media presence with financial stability––especially within our SALT (Strategic Advance Leadership Teams) Initiative.

Please join us as we pray for even more blessing from the Lord for 2016 so that even more students may be reached! Thank you for your support and dedication to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with future leaders from every corner of the world!

For More Information
Visit our Global Media Outreach evangelism website so you can see how to share Jesus in every country of the world!

Learn more about our mobile app!

See how you can get involved with International Students, Inc.

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ISI Praises God for ‘Bountiful Harvest,’ Continued Abundance!

2/2/2016

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We are so thankful for His handiwork in the expansion of our programs and initiatives!

“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance,” Psalm 65:11 (NLT).

Although we traveled over some difficult terrain in the past year, the Lord’s countless blessings have far surpassed any bumps in the road. When I reflect on the adventure of 2015, I am reminded of Psalm 65:11 which says of God, “You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.”

As we make our way into 2016, I want to praise God for the ongoing expansion of our programs and initiatives! It is because of His provision for us that we are able to continue reaching one student per hour for Christ through our ministry. We are reaching students from a variety of backgrounds, and have been receiving more and more inquiries from Muslim students and professionals!

As you likely know, 2015 was a year of incredible global tensions between religious groups: most notably between Christians and Muslims in some of the hot-spots of the world. But here’s something good that has come from this: International Students, Inc. has seen a steep increase in contacts, Gospel presentations and decisions for Christ among Muslims! This incredible surge was experienced both on-campus and in-person, as well as on our web and mobile platforms.

Friend, this underscored an incredible movement among Muslims worldwide who are accepting Christ by the millions! One such student has joined our staff and relocated to a major city where he will reach more like him. Because of the Lord’s blessings, we continue to see “hard pathways overflow with abundance.”

We often hear of how the ministry is growing through the dedication of our partner churches. In one of the many stories that filter into our office, we learned of a church inspired to expand its commitment to the outreach of our ministry. The church, which at the time was not sure about how its commitment to international student outreach would work, decided to host a welcome dinner for students. The event turned out to be a hit! When 300 showed up, some of the mission committee members realized that they only have 500 coming on Sundays, but 300 show up for a Friday dinner! Needless to say: this church, in a major urban area, has renewed its commitment to outreach through International Students, Inc.

Please join us as we pray for God’s provision to guide our ministry in its expansion and influence world-wide. We are trusting God for financial stability and exponential growth. We are especially excited about His plans for our SALT (Strategic Advance Leadership Teams) Initiative, which includes church mobilization, expansion of mobile platforms, and the growth of M:28 success throughout the world!

I look forward to updating you on His incredible blessings and “bountiful harvest” throughout the New Year! Thank you for your continual support and prayers for our ministry. We value your dedication to helping us reach every international student for Christ!

For More Information
Learn more about ways you can help our efforts to mobilize and train Americans in local churches by becoming a Ministry Representative.

Visit our Daily Devotional page for encouraging words and stories to remind you of God’s infinite grace and mercy!

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ISI is Grateful for Prayer Over Worldwide Expansion!

ISI Celebrates ‘A Lifetime of Service’

ISI: Reach the World from Right Where You Are!

ISI ‘Shares in the Glory of the Lord’ with Students Around the Globe!

ISI Praises God for ‘Bountiful Harvest,’ Continued Abundance!

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