Living Christ in the Marketplace

What does it mean to be a lawyer, for instance, or an engineer, or a working artist and a follower of Jesus? How do you live a life of discipleship in that marketplace?

Such are the questions that Daniel and Sandi McDougall help international students explore. As ISMC city directors in Victoria, BC, they connect life with Jesus with life in the marketplace for the students they disciple.

They don’t do it alone. In fact, Daniel and Sandi light-heartedly refer to themselves as “God’s appointment secretaries.”

“I connect students who are in different faculties with people who are actually working in the marketplace and are themselves Jesus followers,” explains Daniel, “people in the medical field, legal field, engineering, teaching, whatever.” These connections allow students to ask hard questions of Christians who know the realities and language of the profession. Occasionally, students even spend time with these individuals in their workplace.

While debriefing, Daniel will ask the students, “Is this what you thought practicing law would look like?” or “How do you deal with clients in a courtroom? How do you honor people there and still be a good lawyer?” Such questions make students think deeply about how to echo Christ in the real world. These questions help them realize they can be a Christian professional, not just a Christian at church.

It doesn’t end with workplace connections.

“The student’s whole life isn’t just a profession; it’s relationships and sports and travel and family and even struggles and dysfunctions,” says Daniel. “There are different layers of connection. So there is no one single person that can address all those things in their life.” So they help students develop relationships with Christian mentors who can speak into different areas of their lives.

“In discipleship, so much comes organically,” explains Sandi. “Sometimes I have the answers, and sometimes I don’t. I’ll say, oh, let’s look at that together.”

Relationships can last long after students leave Victoria. “I keep in touch with them, and share scripture that has encouraged me,” says Sandi, “and often through that, a conversation will spark.”

Please pray for the ISMC staff and volunteers who are walking alongside international students as they learn to live out their faith in their chosen professions and in life as a whole.

 

Check out Daniel & Sandi’s ministry profile.

Interested in learning more about becoming a career mentor? Fill out the volunteer form.

When Lily* came to Canada to start her social media management program, there were many unknowns. What would Ontario be like? Would she fit in at Niagara College? Would she keep up with her classwork? Would she be lonely? And, perhaps most importantly, would she find other Christians to encourage her in her faith?

Lily was brought up in an Indian Christian family, and while she grew up in the Middle East, this was her first time far from home all alone. She wanted to find friends who would mutually build each other up in Christ.

“Well, our God knows what He is doing,” says Lily. “He would never allow me to be stranded here. He brought me a Christian friend named Ryanna within a week of my arrival in Canada.” Ryanna is the ISMC campus coordinator on the Welland Campus of Niagara College.

Lily started attending church and Bible study with Ryanna and other ISMC staff and volunteers. More than that, she developed a relationship with them. “These beautiful souls have taken good care of me and wrapped me with the love of Christ,” says Lily. “I am being mentored in my day-to-day spiritual life. I have the freedom to open up my life, both ups and downs, without being judged by them. They accept me for all that I am and guide me to go through it all with the Word of God.”

“Lily is hungry for God’s Word,” Ryanna affirms, “She learns something from every Bible study or church service she attends. I encourage her when she gets discouraged and we pray together when she is feeling down or needs an answer to prayer.” Through it all, Ryanna sees Lily reaching out to others, even those who seem to be on the edges of the social group.

Lily continues to invest herself in opportunities to grow spiritually. She attended an international student retreat, where she had opportunity to learn, worship, listen to the Holy Spirit, and meet other international students who likewise desire to pursue a Christ-centered life. As she continues her studies, we pray that Lily will also keep growing in her walk with the Lord.

*Names changed to maintain confidentiality

 

Check out Ryanna’s ministry profile.

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Other ways ISMC staff disciple international students…

We had a retreat for our Christian international students where we trained them and inspired them to share the gospel with their peers and be on mission with us. We showed them how to lead a discovery Bible study and we shared different gospel presentations that they can use to share with others.

– Ryanna (Niagara Region, ON)

We’ve just begun to go through the book ‘Surprise the World!’ with a small group of Christian international students. I’m praying this will really help the students begin to put little habits in their lives that will lead to more ‘missional’ living.

– Erica (London, ON)

We disciple Christian students in the same way we have prepared our own children to be hospitable, to sacrifice comfort sometimes, when other students are in need.

– Skye (Vancouver, BC)

I’ve discovered men from various cultures have a hard time having a deeper conversation eye-to-eye because it’s just too abrupt, but in a kitchen chopping vegetables or on a park bench looking out at the sea, they will ask the most deep, probing questions, profoundly transformational questions that they would never ask face to face.

– Daniel (Victoria, BC)

Over the years, those who I naturally connect with have been young Christians. I’m like a big sister to them. We meet for prayer and encouragement; we talk. Sometimes I feel like I’m a relationship mentor when they go through relationship issues. God always gives me the right words to say.

– Syncia (Montreal, QC)

So often, it’s just developing relationships and being available to talk when questions come up. Sometimes it’s in person, sometimes it’s a WhatsApp or Facebook message late at night – then you pray for the right words and hope you can navigate distance and culture.

– Michele (Kamloops, BC)

So often, when we think about ministering to international students, we think of sharing Christ with those who have never heard. And it’s true—many international students come to Canada with little knowledge of God and the salvation He offers, and we’re excited to reach the nations at our doorstep. But ISMC’s mission is twofold—to reach the nations and to empower international students to impact the world through Jesus Christ. So how do we do that? How do we come alongside Christian international students—those who came to Canada as believers and those who became Jesus followers while they were here?

In this issue of Doorways, we share how students connect their faith within the context of their busy lives. Sometimes we call that mentorship or discipleship, but the ways we mentor and disciple are as varied as the students themselves. It can be personal one-on-one friendships that leave room for spiritual conversations. It can be much more formal weekly Bible studies, discipleship training programs, or weekend retreats. Often, it’s a combination. In all cases, it’s helping international students to experience the transforming power of Jesus Christ in their day-to-day lives, empowering them to impact the world wherever He leads them.

So, as you read how Lily came to Canada looking for Christian friends and how Daniel and Sandi are connecting students with Christians in the marketplace, will you pray for these international students who aren’t necessarily new to faith, but who are learning to go deeper with God? When you invest in ISMC—by praying, volunteering or giving—you are investing in the lives of students like these.

Jakob Koch
ISMC President