Every Student A Lifelong Follower of Christ

Prior to classes starting, our Chi Alpha staff had been welcoming and helping international students. In one night Noreen and I had four nations (five if you count the U.S.) sitting at our table for dinner and an exciting game of Spoons (email me if you don’t know how to play). Everyone of these students we had met during international student orientation week. We helped students find apartments and introduced them to the great American store, Wal-Mart. Spending time with these students gives us an opportunity to befriend them. The moment they stepped into our home, we became more than volunteers. We were now American friends who had invited them over for dinner. We must be careful that as we become friends that out friendship is genuine and not just a method to share the Gospel. How else could we have an opportunity to share the story of Jesus with a Hindu from Nepal? Or with 3 non-religious students from Brazil, Burkina Faso, and Columbia.

By the time the night was over, we had developed such relationships with these new students that they knew our cell numbers and became friends on Facebook. When we see each other on campus, we are greeted with a friendly smile and some form of a high five or fist bump. The Word from 1 John 4 comes to life for me,

“12But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.13!And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.14! Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”

Having developed sincere relationships with several new international students, it was easy to invite them to our first Chi Alpha service on campus. Three international students made a commitment that night to “re- connect” to God. Of course the work is not done, every student a life long follower of Christ. Pray for Marlon, Yoo Jin, & Joao Carlos as we begin the discipleship process with them and for the other new students to experience a life change in Jesus. I will write soon about the individual life change that is going on.!

Passion and Peace

Daran

Welcome to America, Here’s Walmart

Yesterday was very cool taking some new international students to Wal-Mart. It was a small group but we had three different regions of the world represented. This is a full week as more international students are transitioning to life in Fayetteville AR. Lots of opportunities to make new friends from all over the world. Sharing the Wal-Mart experience and helping students find an apartment has a way of building bridges. Should be a lot more students today.

NO REALLY! REACH THE UNIVERSITY, REACH THE WORLD!

It’s more than just a catch phrase…

The reality of reaching international students is beginning to really sink in. Last month at Reach The U training we met a recent Chi Alpha graduate from a university in Kansas. Ly** is from Vietnam. When she first arrived at the university, she became friends with other students who wanted to help international students adjust to the American culture, help them find places to shop, give them rides if necessary, and become genuine friends. These friends were Chi Alpha students who eventually led her to Christ.

After committing her life to God, Ly had a vision of herself working in an international church in Vietnam. Loving her American life, Ly had no plans to go back to Vietnam. After confirming there was no existing international church in Vietnam, she felt relieved…she could stay in the U.S! She kept this vision to herself.

However, God had other plans. At a Chi Alpha World Missions Summit, God’s plan became Ly’s plan. At these summits, students are invited to give a year or give a life to missions. Her campus pastor introduced her to a missionary. A missionary who was going to plant an international church in Vietnam in 2010. (No small miracle itself!) He asked her when was she going to graduate, she replied somewhat sheepishly, “2010.” He also told her they were looking for someone with a business degree. “Ly, what’s your degree in?” Again sheepishly, “Business.”

Ly is going back home this September, now as a Christian. Not only does she want to reach Vietnam through this new church, but her unreached family.

Reach The University, Reach The World.
For The Campus, Daran

**Ly’s name was changed to protect her identity.

International Students

There are over 22,000 students heading to Missouri State this fall. Heard a fellow Chi Alpha leader say today that of the over 800 Missouri State students 150 are from China. What a tremendous opportunity to reach students. Imagine reaching some of these students with life changing truth of the Gospel. We may not be able to send missionaries to China but after some of these students experience Christ working in their lives, they will return. OneMoreFriend.org encourages students to add one more friend in their life by reaching out to someone from another part of their world. This is not done to persuade or manipulate anyone from their beliefs or way of life. Make a friend, share your life and experiences and see how God speaks. Many international students are looking to experience America, what better way than to have some American friends. As leaders we are always encouraging students to be to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Get involved in leadership in Chi Alpha, your church, a missions trip, service project. Reaching out to international students really does provide the opportunity to reach and change the world!