
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.