On campuses across the country, InterVarsity staff and volunteers are rolling out the red carpet for newly arrived international students. Every year more than a half million come to study in the U.S.
A high percentage of these students cross the Pacific Ocean on their journey to the U.S. “Eight of the top-sending countries are Asian,” says Lisa Espineli Chinn, director of InterVarsity’s International Student Ministry. “India, China, and Korea lead the list.” The Christian population of these countries is proportionately small. “Students from these countries studying in the U.S. are more open to Christian friendship and the Gospel,” she says.
InterVarsity staff help international students to develop friendships with other students and local community residents by offering tours of their new home city and social events like hayrides and square dances, as well as holiday parties. They also offer them the opportunity to learn about Christianity, something that may be difficult for them to do in their home country.
Many students are learning more about Jesus through the new I-GIG, an investigative Bible study for non-Christian students developed by InterVarsity. (I-GIG stands for International Groups Investigating God.) “I’ve never sat in a group and studied the Bible like that,” reports Chris from Peru, who is now hosting a Bible study in his apartment. Learn more about I-GIG and other facets of InterVarsity’s International Student Ministry in the brand new fall 2005 issue of i>Internationals on Campus and at InterVarsity’s ISM website.
Christianity Today article on international student ministry impact
