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Is this the Best of Times? The Worst of Times?

5/31/2017

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Let us all rejoice that this is God’s Time!
 
“But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin,”
1 John 1:7 (NLT).
 
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne,”
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT).
 
It’s common these days to hear peoples opinions on almost everything. With the pervasive nature of the news and oftentimes social media, we are receiving real-time updates on almost everything! Today, there is no paucity of input and disagreement about all the changes afoot in America. Some say these are the best of times: a dawn of hope and opportunity. Others fear they are the worst: dark and negative.
 
Here at International Students Inc., we’re focused on an entirely different reality. We do our very best to keep our minds and hearts focused on how God is working. We look at everything God is doing through this ministry, both here and around the world, and realize that above it all, this is God’s Time. That’s glorious news––literally. God’s Time is an amazing time to be alive! The Lord of heaven is on the move. He is doing mighty things, granting favor and blessing to those who share His Good News.
 
We want to thank you for your continuous prayers and ongoing support! Friend, we would not be able to do what we do without you! I would like to humbly invite you to keep praying for ISI and to keep encouraging international student ministry in your church and community.
 
I’ve been reminded recently that this is God’s Time by way of Fellowship. God is actively blessing the fellowship model of sharing love and concern, and meeting the needs of students. He has granted amazing results in terms of opened doors, salvations and staff response.
 
Even secular universities are seeing the benefit of fellowship! Not long ago, after a ministry staffer’s departure from a large university campus, the administration told our director, “If another International Students, Inc. staff person ever wants to come work with our university, we’d love to have them come and to give them a space where they can address students’ needs in this way.” What a wonderful endorsement for the ministry!
 
Our ministry fellowship is truly growing at an astonishing pace. In the previous year, over 75,000 students came into ISI’s ministry network. Over 9,500 indicated decisions for Christ. Just in the last five months alone, we’re already far ahead of that pace––not even counting the incredible response we’re seeing on ISI websites. In January, our web response for salvations alone soared to over 1,000 per month, with over 10,000 accessing our sites. Clearly, God is blessing our emphasis on fellowship, as we reach out and share our lives with international students. Our staff are enthusiastic and thrilled. Love opens the door. One of our students writes:
 
“In my life, YOU have made a great impact by being with me and supporting me more than my parents itself. You have shown me Jesus. There is nothing and no one better than Him. I will be forever grateful for you and your contribution. I would have never got to know Him had I not come to the United States. It was God’s plan as I reflect back and connect the dots. Your contribution of interacting with students who come to the United States, introducing them to Christ and building a family relation with them, is something I have never seen. I couldn’t be any happier than by looking for God’s presence in you and your contribution with ISI. If I was asked what heaven looks like, I would say, ‘Wherever my ISI family and friends are that’s where heaven is.’ That’s my preview of heaven.”
 
Please step out of the world’s worries and into God’s Time with us––as we share in the blessing of bringing His Good News to others. Despite all other news, international student ministry is in a golden age of impact and effectiveness. Clearly, God isn’t following the headlines, but making this a glorious time of blessing on ministries that faithfully share His Gospel with the world. Thank you for praying for our ministry as we continue striving to reach every international student for Christ!
 
“But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin,”
1 John 1:7 (NLT).
 
For More Information
Have you ever asked yourself if you and those in your church could do more to reach the world for Christ, but felt challenged by the high costs and time commitments of short-term mission trips? There is an answer, and it may be right in your community! Learn more here.



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