Our First Decade—1984 to 1994

The first decade of International Student Ministries Canada saw tremendous expansion from two cities in Alberta, to over ten from Victoria, BC to Guelph, ON. Here are a few of our early programs, and what they look like now:

Friendship Partners

One of the first ways ISMC connected believers in Canada with international students was through the Friendship Partner program. Culturally sensitive Christians invited international students into their homes, often leading to opportunities to share the faith that was central to their lives. Today, you can see the focus on friendship echoed in hospitality programs such as Friends for Dinner, where we see hundreds of relationships formed each year. And you can still find the original Friendship Partner Program in the Niagara Region and Conversation Partners in Guelph, ON.

ESL Programs

ISMC’s first ESL program formed quite by accident in 1985. A group of Chinese graduate students attending an ISMC wiener roast expressed a desire for an English class. Writes Audrey Shultz: “Before I realized it, I was standing before seven Chinese men and two Chinese women. My goal was not only to teach them conversational English but also to share with them the joy of being a Christian.”

Today, teaching conversational English (and French, in Quebec) is still an effective way to connect with international students. ISMC offers ESL/FSL programs in nine cities.

Bible Studies

The Bible is, of course, integral to sharing the love of God with international students. Since the early years, ISMC staff have facilitated regular Bible studies, often in their homes. Now, as then, it’s so exciting to see a student open the Bible for the first time. It is even more exciting when students choose to accept Jesus. A Bible study in Edmonton welcomed three students into God’s family recently!

FOCUS Club

FOCUS Club started as a campus club in Edmonton in 1986 to build additional student connections. Then, as now, international students struggle with social isolation. Our twelve Focus Clubs in cities across Canada meet weekly or monthly for dinners, faith discussions, and cultural activities to foster social interactions.

Contact your local city ministry to find out what programs are happening near you, or fill out the volunteer form to learn more.

Thank you for reaching International Students through your gifts!

If you would like a full copy of our audited financial statements, please email finance@ismc.ca.

Why was a non-Christian Chinese student studying the Bible at a Christian college in Alberta? “I had so many questions,” says Alec, “and I was so open to absorb what the truth is.” Alec became a believer that year, but his journey to faith started when he connected with Christians in Vancouver.

Alec, a University of Shanghai graduate, was working in polymer research in 1988 when an opportunity opened for him to study in Canada. But he first had to improve his English. When he arrived in BC, he was looking for housing. Almost immediately, a friend of a fellow Chinese student referred him to Al and Marianne Bohr, ISMC staff who boarded international students.

Alec moved in. The Bohrs, of course, invited him to join the international student Bible studies in their basement and other activities they led. ”I realized they were Christians,” says Alec, “which was totally new to me.”

Alec participated as his schedule permitted, and sometimes came along as Al and Marianne helped other international students. He was curious about what the Bohrs believed, which led to long discussions about Christianity and even to Alec attending church. Alec had so many questions: Why is your family like this? How, in a modern country, can you still believe in God? Don’t you value materialism? “But,” says Alec, “their life really was a testimony to me.”

Then came Tiananmen Square, which changed everything for Alec. “That really woke me up to think about the meaning of life,” he says. Alec was coming to the end of his English program and Marianne, knowing his deep curiosity about the Christian faith, broached the idea of a year of Bible college. Incredibly, Alec agreed. He wanted to learn more about Canadian culture and Christian morals. As he says, “that’s what I always wanted to explore.”

His first semester at the Bible college was filled with new information and opportunities to experience God. Alec’s mindset was changing from materialism to being open to spiritual experience. But it was back at Al and Marianne’s between semesters that Alec surrendered completely to God. That summer he was baptized before returning to Bible college for his second semester, this time as a believer.

Fast forward to 2024. Alec stayed in Canada, and now, 36 years later, he’s an elder in a growing Chinese congregation in Burnaby that he helped found many years before. He’s teaching and serving and leading others to Christ. As a consultant for business start-ups (he now has an MBA), he’s active in marketplace ministry. So many years later, he is still impacting his world through Jesus Christ—all because a family was faithful in reaching the nations at their doorstep.

Housing is still a huge need for international students. In today’s housing crunch, there are so many opportunities for Christians to impact the lives of international students by sharing their home. To get started, contact your local university for information about homestay programs, or check out platforms such as spacesshared.ca which match students looking for safe and affordable housing with hosts who have spare bedrooms.