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20/30 Somethings - ISI Stories Jennifer—Washington, DC “I always thought I would work overseas after I graduated, but suddenly that desire disappeared and I was left with a passion to work with internationals but a heart to stay in the US. After hearing the mission of ISI, I realized instantly that this was the place I belonged. I would be in contact with college students from around the world while remaining in America and my work would be eternally significant. The flexible schedule, the freedom to design programs that would best meet the needs of my students, and the opportunity to show the love of Christ in so many situations combine to make the campus staff position a wonderful way for me to invest my life for the glory of God.” Quintin—Albuquerque, NM
Educated at one of America’s top engineering schools, Quintin & Teresita graduated without a vision. Quintin – an international student from South Africa, with experience in information technology, found no solutions in information technology to impacting Africa’s ailing societies. Africa has no shortage of engineers. Every year, around the world, Africa graduates hundreds (if not thousands) of qualified engineers. Sadly though, many can’t succeed in their field given the constant instability caused by economic and political corruption. A former international student, exiled from South Africa, and on staff with ISI, “planted a seed” that gave birth to a vision that Quintin could be an effective “change agent” for Africa RIGHT HERE and NOW! How? By investing in Africa’s future leadership studying here in the U.S. Today, Quintin uses his personal experience and educational background, at the University of New Mexico, to build relationships of respect and trust amongst international students. He also disciples African students—inspiring them to be “restorative agents” to their home countries. Deb—Seattle, WA
“God gave me a heart for Japan in college, and as I graduated, I vowed that someday I would live there for a couple years. But first, I worked in America, and also volunteered with the local ISI ministry. There, I not only met students from Japan, but also from South Africa, Belgium, India, Colombia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Nigeria. While I still loved Japan, my interest in other nations was expanding, and I was torn because of the growing list of many other cultures about which I wanted to learn. As I continued with ISI, I grew more convinced that there is such a great need to share Christ's love with the nations right here in America! The language barrier is decreased since the students speak English, they are far from home and want friendships, and it gives the opportunity to freely share with students from countries that restrict the Gospel. It truly paves the way for the most impact in the shortest amount of time, and my time with ISI has been a rewarding adventure!” Alex—Durham, NC “I came to the US as an international scholar, having been involved with local evangelism in my home country but not with outreach to internationals. I heard about an ISI event and thought it might be a good way to meet people. There I met the leader of the ISI campus ministry, and he invited me to the weekly fellowship group. There was a natural fit with my passions, gifts and circumstances, and I contributed to regular meetings, out of town trips, and hospitality events. The hardest part was making the transition to full-time staff, but I am glad of it. Now I have more time for interaction with students, which I enjoyed as a volunteer, but also get opportunities to mobilize other participants.” Patrick—Charlottesville, VA . The introduction to international student ministry for one of ISI’s new generation of young staff begins at a recent Urbana Student Convention. It is the story of a young University of Virginia civil engineering student who came because of his interest in world missions and his involvement in a student group that was attending the conference. He was unsure of God’s place for him in world missions, but encountered a Japanese student while at Urbana who challenged him to reach out to the tens of thousands of Japanese students while they’re already here studying in the U.S. He was told that these students are much more receptive to the Gospel when away from their own countries’ spiritual strongholds. Patrick then met one of the representatives of ISI who invited him to a workshop where he was challenged to reach the world’s future leaders who are studying right here-- in our nation’s universities! He had known of ISI at the University of Virginia and began to explore further the ministry possibilities of reaching international students for Christ. Soon thereafter Patrick joined ISI’s ministry team as Campus Staff at the University of Virginia and is now active in reaching thousands of international students.
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