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Teaching Truths: M28 Transforming Students, Churches

10/25/2016

Learn more about how the Spirit is moving through one of ISI’s global ministries.

“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others,” 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT).

When we train new believers and encourage them to continue the ripple effect by discipling others, we are following Christ’s command to reap the harvest. When we head His command, we not only see the lives of international students transformed, we may even experience growth and revival in the church!

One of our ministry staff members shared a story with us about what a blessing it is to put into action what she and other staffers learned in M28 Global Discipleship Training. She writes:

“I’ve seen that when I am intentional about following the M28 cycles—discipling new believers to reach out to others—then more international students are reached for Christ. One Sunday, we had a wonderful ‘Seeker Sunday School’ led by an international student. Everyone in the church was excited about having internationals for Worldwide Communion Sunday. They brought great food for the students and showered them with love. The pastor did a wonderful blessing over each of the students. A Muslim from Iran, who had only been in the United States for 50 days, was blessed by this outpouring of love and care. Then the students witnessed 11 people being baptized that afternoon. My eyes filled with tears to see the Spirit moving. It was a special weekend for all of us—visitors and congregation.”

Friend, we continue to hear amazing stories about how the Spirit is moving through M28 into the hearts and minds of international students. We have seen incredible growth as a result of our S.A.L.T. initiative, our three-year ministry growth plan. In our first year of the initiative, our M28 Global Discipleship has reached:

4,245 leaders trained in M28 Global Discipleship, with over 106,125 people now projected to have been impacted by M28!

490 enthusiastic participants, who have been trained in M28 in Seattle, Montana, Idaho, California, Washington, China, Australia and Kenya!

M:28 will be broadcasting on the radio to potentially millions of listeners in Africa! Leaders in Kenya and Togo are already requesting more M28!

What God is doing through S.A.L.T., our Strategic Advance Leadership Teams, is truly encouraging. We are continually contacting pastors and churches to talk with them about their interest in getting involved in international student ministry and receiving M28 Global Discipleship training in order to impact nations with the Gospel!
I am reminded of when Paul encouraged Timothy to “teach these truths” when he said:

“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others,” 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT).

Please take a moment to pray for our staff members and volunteers who are training others to share the Good News. I look forward to sharing more S.A.L.T. initiative updates in upcoming blogs. Thank you for your support and prayers, and for helping us reach international students for Christ!

For More Information
Learn more about our M28 Global Discipleship Initiative.

Learn more about our Churches Reaching Nations ministry.

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Love Your Neighbor, Ask for Guidance

10/17/2016

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Learn more about how God can open the eyes of the lost.

“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law,” Romans 13:8 (NLT).

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’No other commandment is greater than these” Mark 12:30-31 (NLT).

Though some may view Christianity as a having little to no tolerance, our faith actually shows more tolerance toward opposing faiths than any other major religion. This is because of Christ and His legacy of love for others. As Paul reminds us in Romans to “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law,” Romans 13:8 (NLT). Jesus was very clear in His instructions for us to “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength,” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” Mark 12:30-31 (NLT). These commandments compel us to share our faith from a perspective of mutual respect, and let God open the eyes of those who are lost.

Take, for example, the following story sent to us by one of our ministry volunteers, who wrote about a road trip he took with a number of international students. This story underscores the value in ministering from a place of respect and patience. Our volunteer writes:

“The long hours in a van across many miles gave us ample opportunity for lengthy discussions. Thomas, one of the Middle Eastern students, asked question after question, specifically about Christianity, including, ‘What do Christians believe about hell?’ and ‘What do Christians believe about other religions?’ His questions opened the door for me to tell him stories from the Gospels. He soaked them up and I began to understand how and why Jesus used the parables. When Thomas raised the topic of the purpose of life, I felt the Holy Spirit compelling me to quote from Mark, ‘For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?’ Thomas looked visibly moved and then he told me this was one of the most beautiful statements he had ever heard. As the miles rolled by, the questions just kept coming. I relied on the Holy Spirit to give me the words to answer him and keep him engaged. By the time we reached our destination, I had shared with him Jesus' assurance that those who leave their life to follow Christ will find true life. Thomas had a lot more to think about after that trip!”

Friend, this interaction between our ministry friend and Thomas highlights the ways we, as Christians, simply need to love our neighbor and share our faith from a perspective of respect and deep humility. Our volunteer listened to Thomas with intentionality and leaned on the Holy Spirit for guidance. What a privilege and responsibility to help them understand the true meaning of Christianity and to live in such a way that they see and understand it live out!

Please take a moment to pray for our ministry volunteers and staff members as they share their faith with students from around the world. Please pray for God's guidance in their tireless efforts to reach every international student for Christ!

Thank you for your continued support! We are truly blessed to have friends like you. May God bless you with abundance this week.

For More Information
Are you drawn to initiating relationships with visitors from other cultures? Learn more about becoming a Ministry Representative volunteer with ISI.

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: ‘Change Agents’ Continue Reaching Students in 10/40 Window!

10/11/2016

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Please pray for our brothers and sister sharing the Gospel in places often hostile to the Good News.

“Look I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves,” Matthew 10:16 (NLT).

“God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son,” Romans 1:9 (NLT).

Once, while in China, I met a returnee whose life was deeply impacted by our ministry several years ago when he was studying in the United States. Following his studies, he returned home to start a thriving business in Hong Kong. His enterprise became so successful that it spread to the Mainland. On his travels in and out of the People’s Republic, this brother witnessed to several Communist party members and has led a number to Christ.

Besides his own personal witness, this brother shared his estimate with us that there are now about 130 million Protestant Christians in China! He told us he believes that the Gospel is a rising and potent force in China!

In our travels around the world, International Students, Inc. staff members have seen and heard a myriad of testimonies—some very similar to this brother’s testimony. For obvious reasons, some conversion stories can only be shared in the strictest confidence. Nonetheless, it is exciting and encouraging to know that leaders throughout the 10/40 countries are dedicated followers of Christ! For safety reasons, these leaders must work discretely to reduce persecution. With relentless faith, they are prime examples of Christians who are loyal and productive citizens. Please pray for these dedicated brothers and sisters in Christ who must be “shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves” as they share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It is my hope that one day, these hidden “change agents” will be able to declare themselves and boldly move to end persecution against their brothers and sisters. Until then, let’s continue to pray for their physical and spiritual protection, and we can advocate from here for them and their tireless efforts to reach every international student for Christ.

“God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son,” Romans 1:9 (NLT).

For More Information
Learn more by reading “China: A Country Profile from International Students, Inc.”

Learn more about how churches are reaching international students for Jesus Christ

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Volunteers Sustain, Encourage ISI Mission

10/3/2016

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Read one volunteer’s ‘beautifully expressed’ hope for international students’ ministry.

“Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset,” Exodus 17:12 (NLT).

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble,” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT).

Not too long ago, one of our staff members asked a group of dedicated volunteers who serve faithfully with International Students, Inc. the following question: “What is your hope for the future of international student ministry?” While the volunteers never ceased to amaze this particular staff member, one of their responses really hit home. In fact, the staff member later said that the response, “… so beautifully expressed the very heart and reason for the ministry of International Students, Inc. that I wanted to share it with everyone.”

And, he did! The staff member shared the volunteer’s response with us here at the Home Office. When asked about her hope for the future of international student ministry, our ministry volunteer said the following:

“ My hope is that the church would wake up and be involved in these opportunities that the Lord has given us to reach the world through international students. Of course, with the awakening, there is a real need for training so that the evangelism is both culturally sensitive and effective. My hope and prayer is that students would come to know Jesus so that the Gospel would be brought back to their countries and have a rippling effect. Coming home from the mission field, our family was seeking the Lord about where and how to serve Him. We were delighted to see that the Lord has brought the nations to the United States, and that we can continue to be involved in reaching out to the world while we are in the States.”

What a blessing to have the support and input of our 25,000 volunteers across the country. Their hearts share the ministry’s vision and desire to reach every international student for Christ. We appreciate their going above and beyond to help our ministry—and the students we serve—to succeed. We can only do what we do because they sustain and encourage our work! We thank you, volunteers, for standing by our side and “holding up our hands” to allow us to continue our mission.

For More Information
Are you interested in reaching the world from your doorstep? Learn more about how to minister to international students through ISI’s effective Friendship Partner volunteer program.

Would you like to inspire your congregation to participate in global outreach? Learn more about ISI’s exciting Church Partners opportunity.

Visit this site to learn more about ISI’s Churches Reaching Nations campaign.

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Teaching Truths: M28 Transforming Students, Churches

Love Your Neighbor, Ask for Guidance

: ‘Change Agents’ Continue Reaching Students in 10/40 Window!

Volunteers Sustain, Encourage ISI Mission

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