By Katie Rawson
1. Pray for and recruit two or three capable members, or a small group, to take charge. The missions chairperson could oversee and participate in this work.
2. Have a chapter member and staff member visit the international student advisor. Explain your desire to serve internationals. Ask for information about: 1) existing programs you could plug into (clubs, language tutoring); and 2) needs of internationals that are not met by existing programs (meeting service for airports, short-term housing).
3. Gather information about the different groups of internationals on campus. (Foreign student advisors are reluctant to give this information. Christian internationals and participation in the international club can provide some information.)
4. Ask God’s wisdom for a plan. Focus first on reaching one group or plugging into one program. Everyone involved should develop one strong friendship with an international of the same sex, and meet that friend once a week.
5. Organize an international outreach small group. Students in that group should spend some of their meeting time studying and praying for their ministry. Possible study resources: the very cross-cultural books of Luke and Acts, The World at Your Doorstep (IVP), and reprints of past HIS articles.
6. Inform the whole chapter of the needs and opportunities for international ministry. Share about friendships with internationals. Ask Christian internationals to give “missions minutes” focusing on their home countries. Use Friends, the multimedia presentation by Twentyonehundred, and slides or skits about international ministry in large group meetings. Brainstorm ways of involving more chapter members. Informal Saturday morning soccer games and conversation partner programs meet internationals’ special needs.
7. After the involved students or small group have one or two socials with their international friends, gather the whole chapter for a social for internationals (preferably on a chapter meeting night). An international-American talent show or square dance are possibilities. Various small groups could take responsibilities for the event.
8. As friendships progress, take the natural opportunities that arise to share your faith. When enough internationals show interest, have two or three Christians help them start an investigative Bible study.
9. As the number of willing workers grows, expand to meet new needs and reach out to new international student groups. Pray for two or three sensitive, committed people willing to penetrate each unreached group as learners. Communicate a sincere desire to learn the culture and even language of that group.
As these pioneers learn the culture, they can communicate love and discern how to share the Gospel effectively. Often genuine interest in the internationals’ culture and religion will be met with similar interest from the internationals.
10. To obtain more resources, head to the ISM website.
