God is bringing people from all around the world to the United States. They come for work, for safety, and they come for an education. In the 2021-2022 school year, there were 946,519 international students studying in the United States. Over 60% of international students come from the 10/40 window. This creates a phenomenal opportunity for our ministries to invest in these students. Many will return to their homelands as leaders. We desire these students to take Christ back with them and to create disciples among those in their own cultures.
We have partnered with EveryInternational to better prepare our ministries to engage in the Great Commission on our college campuses. Below you will find a list of carefully curated lessons on important topics that will equip you to be Christ’s ambassador to the nations. It is our hope that through this course you will grow in your confidence in building relationships with internationals and sharing your faith with them.
The final section of lessons is for team leaders. After finishing our core material you can explore the EveryInternational website and engage with the additional lessons.
Note: In order to access lessons you must first create an account and then enroll in the course by clicking the "Take This Course" button.
Lisa came to North America with a purpose: to be equipped to better serve her nation, the Philippines. She has done that, and more. Lisa served as executive director of an international student ministry and now travels around the world captivating audiences with her passion for the nations. In this lesson Lisa suggests three reasons we should open our homes, lives, and churches to the internationals in our midst.
Severin has experienced first-hand the impact international students can have for Christ when they return home. After becoming a Christian as an international student, Severin’s sister returned to Kenya to share the gospel with him. Severin also became an international student, and his life was further transformed through discipleship abroad. With nearly 20 years of experience in ministry to internationals, Severin uses scripture to challenge and encourage others to love the foreigner as God does.
Kevin has worked with students in Russia and throughout North America. He knows well the challenges and barriers to engaging new cultures. He shares candidly about times when fear or ignorance became barriers to reaching across cultural barriers. Hear how we can overcome these barriers, even if it means being covered in spicy Russian mustard!
Denis has devoted his life to practicing, studying, and teaching what it means to be effective in different cultures. He suggests that reaching internationals involves more than bi-cultural or cross-cultural effectiveness. Instead, we need to be effective transculturally–to understand and engage multiple cultures simultaneously. Denis describes what it means to “wear different hats” to be effective with diverse student groups and explains three primary cultural operating systems.
Abby became a Christian as an undergraduate student in China through the testimony of a former international student. Later, Abby became an international student herself. She draws on her understanding of Chinese culture and experience as a Chinese international student in helping others to reach Chinese students. In her lesson, Abby shares about three distinct generations of Chinese and how to reach them.
Years ago Ryan had a lot of misconceptions about India. But friendships with many South Asian students gave him a deep love for one of the least reach parts of the world. Well informed with unique insights, Ryan challenges us to be intentional and immersive learners of South Asians. Prepare to be stretched in mind and heart as you learn to take intentional steps into this wonderful and diverse culture.
Davood grew up as a Muslim in Central Asia but later came to Christ. In this talk he suggests that the barriers preventing Muslims from following Jesus are not primarily intellectual but emotional. He explains how to address fundamental heart issues with practical tips on sharing Jesus’ love with your Muslim friends.
Abby has been in ministry for over 16 years, two of which were spent overseas in South Asia. She is on staff with Cru and lives just outside of what is known as “the most diverse square mile in America.” Living in a popular resettlement location for refugees, Abby has plenty of opportunity to live out her calling to love immigrants and refugees through friendship and hospitality all in the name of Christ.
Heidi was born in Germany but studied in Switzerland and the Netherlands before landing in the U.S.in 1990 to minister to international students. With extensive experience in helping students to return home as faithful Christians, Heidi serves on the ReMinD (Reentry Ministry Directors) team. In this lesson, Heidi draws on two stories of former international students to explain what helps students continue in their faith after returning home.
As a former international student from Romania, Estera understands the experience of international students. Understanding their strategic importance, she has ministered to international students since arriving in the U.S., often working in cooperation with university staff. In this lesson, Estera shares how to be a blessing and a resource to not only internationals, but to university staff as well.
Leiton has mobilized churches to reach international students for over forty years. With heartfelt sincerity he shares insight from experience mobilizing two very different churches to reach internationals. In this lesson, Leiton outlines how your church can start a new ministry that will lead to both giving and receiving a blessing.
Osman arrived in the United States with his family as refugees from Somalia when he was six years old. Osman understands what it means to count the cost of following Christ As a teenager Osman converted to Christianity from Islam which caused his family to disown him. He has a burden to help new Christians continue to love and invest in their family of origin no matter the family’s response.
