Dr. Doug Shaw - blog
  • Blog
  • Subscribe to Blog

Harvest

6/17/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
The lost sheep are many, but the Gospel’s light continues to dispel the darkness.

Planting the Seeds of Righteousness: Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia             


“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’” —Hosea 10:12 (NLT)


During a recent journey through some far-away places, I was reminded of just how shaky our world is truly. Memories of various encounters and conversations with people from all walks of life reflected a human, real-world perspective during this trip. Each place bore an important theme:

Hong Kong

First on the itinerary was Hong Kong, where discussions about China underscored the theme of tension. In conversations with a national advisor, a non-governmental agency worker, and a Hong Kong doctor, I learned quickly about the roots of these tensions:

  •  There is discord in the Chinese government between “old school” and progressive fractions
  • Public tensions also exists between Beijing and Hong Kong democracy activists

  • Religious disagreements persist within the population, which the Chinese government classifies as 30% Buddhist, 7% Christian, 3% Muslim--and 60% atheist.

All three individuals with whom I visited confirmed reports that I hoped were not true: There is continued persecution and tightening control with China’s information-gathering budget, which is now surpassing its military budget.

I also learned that Hong Kong, though a place of much anxiety, is also a place of immense hope.

One source, a medical professional, warned us that the youth simply cannot win against the Chinese government. His path to making a difference? Retire and help plant M:28 groups! With the poor being pushed out of the cities, not only are humanitarians challenging emerging, but countless new opportunities for ministry are coming to the forefront.

Singapore

I am thrilled to called Singapore a place of action. I spoke with people who are actively sharing their faith and changing the lives of those around them. While there, we found ourselves blessed by talking with an international student who had returned home and is now an influential government advisor. After sharing with us about his time of discipleship in the United States, he spoke of his devotion to his local church.

He went on to explain to us how grateful he is to represent Jesus Christ in his government. He also spoke of his quietly resisting constant Chinese attempts to steer his country away from American influence. Truly a modern-day Daniel.

This story highlights the importance of one person’s call to action—of acting on one’s faith. I pray that we may all listen to the call and continue to spread the Good News despite any challenges we may face!

Australia

“Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.”—Acts 12:24 (NLT)

The Land of Oz has recently become aware of the incredible number of incoming international students! Some estimates put the total at 600,000. This is the largest group outside the United States! They have realized the economic benefits of these “best and brightest” students. Many of these scholars visit the land Down Under to experience its natural beauty and affable atmosphere; many of them also happen to attend private universities charging the highest fees possible.

But how are we to reach Christians in Australia?

With the nation’s tiny Christian population, believers in the country are keenly aware of the spiritual opportunities before them.

When my wife and I walked into a large church gathering, a woman abruptly left her small group and greeted us. She had just retired from the mission field. We asked her what she was going to do next. That’s when she said she felt a calling to work with international students. Mind you, she has no details of who we were or about our organization. In the next moment, she asked us what we did. After giving her an overview of International Students, Inc., it was the woman’s turn to realize, yet again, what an awesome God we serve!

Nearby, I heard some commenting on how they believe that American Christians often give astute advice and analysis, but little practical help. What ISI is giving us,” they said, “we really need.”

I am thrilled that we are now connecting more trainers to the four major Australian cities signed up and waiting for M:28 seminars!

Lord of the Harvest

My experiences have led me to ask: How would the Lord of the Harvest see this picture—these stories of tension, hope and action?

The lost sheep are many, the laborers are few—but the Gospel’s light still dispels the darkness in human hearts. There is salvation in none other than Jesus Christ.

For more information:
Learn more about some of the Asian countries where our programs have influenced international students.




subscribe to my blog
1 Comment

Thriving!

6/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
We are thrilled to be able to share the promise of Christ’s return--everyday!

God’s Incredible Greatness Continues to Bless International Students, Inc.!

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.” —Ephesians 1:19 (NLT)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
As I reflect on this verse, my mind is flooded with thoughts of how much of God’s amazing power and grace we experience here at International Students, Inc.! He continues to show His glory by way of swinging wide open the doors of opportunity to reach the over 4.3 million international students across the globe. We’ve been seeing what can only be described as Divine impact in the hearts and minds of people worldwide.

We’re thriving—as International Students, Inc.’s ministry numbers show God’s intricate handiwork! Already in Academic Year 2015, we estimate we have reached 6,136 students for Christ. We have also been blessed to grow our incredible staff. Since July, we have been able to add 54 new team members! Additionally, our volunteers now number nearly 22,000!

Clearly, the Lord continues to bless our ministry response. In one key city where International Students, Inc. reached only 50 students nine years ago, we saw more than 600 attend a recent welcome dinner.

Another city that once only reached hundreds, recently hosted 1,000 students and 200 volunteers. One Oregon student event I attended even doubled its expected turnout. And at a nearby banquet, giving increased nearly five-fold! We are also extremely grateful that for more than 10 years, God has continually allowed us to finish financially in the black!

We’re so blessed for the amazing testimonies, which continue to flow into our office. I would like to share one in particular that stands out to me:

A student from an unnamed Islamic country—where it’s illegal to convert from Islam to Christianity—came in contact with International Students, Inc. when she was desperate for help with a challenging situation. The young woman had become pregnant, out of wedlock. Alone in the United States, staffers from International Students, Inc. befriended her. Our volunteers helped her find an adoption home for her baby. They also invited her to an M:28 Bible Study where she accepted Christ! With a peace that seemed to glow from her countenance, she shared with us what our ministry had meant to her. She shared with us how she found the strength to break the news to her parents--her father is a high official in her home country.

Here is a wonderful statement of what International Students, Inc. means to this woman, our new sister in Christ:

I was from a family believing in Buddhism and knowing nothing about Jesus. God arranged for ISI to be the great helper to develop my relationship with Jesus. When I first moved to a different location within the U.S., I knew nobody. However, ISI helped me. I was picked up from the airport, offered a few days’ accommodation, and ISI helped me find a pastor’s family to stay with. That was the first time I got to contact Christians and saw them praying.

I was also introduced to the international group in his church. It is a wonderful group that I received knowledge, love, care and a warm feeling of home. My faith in God was growing greatly in the past year.

I appreciate all those resourses for me to get to know God, but nothing is stronger than God’s own talking to me… I would say the ISI network works amazingly to protect and help each student. I am currently in Asia. ISI helped me find my fellows and Father’s house here. ISI is an important part of my life. I have my best wished for it to grow bigger. ISI is doing a wonderful job in accomplishing God’s work on earth.

Clearly, this young woman’s life was deeply touched by the friendship of our staff and volunteers! What an incredible blessing that she is now a sister in Christ. She can live each day knowing the promise of His return and the peace of His unconditional love. She can also help spread the Good News wherever she travels in the world!

We give thanks to God for bestowing His incredible greatness on International Students, Inc. and blessing our ministry increase as we work toward fulfilling the calling of the Great Commission. I would like to encourage you to pray for our ministry’s continual blessing to thrive, trust and to receive the continual influx of incredible testimonies. We appreciate you and your dedication to helping us be able to minister to these amazing students!

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.” —Ephesians 1:19 (NLT)

Want to partner with us? Visit us at www.isionline.org for opportunities to partner with us.



subscribe to my blog
0 Comments
    Subscribe

    Archives

    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly