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In exactly a month, ISMC staff from Victoria to Halifax will be gathering in Kelowna, BC for a chance to connect, share ideas, learn together and pray together. Will you pray for us as we do?

So often, ISMC staff are spread out over multiple campuses, reaching out to the international students in their own cities. While technology makes it possible to gather online, there’s still nothing like meeting face-to-face. That’s why every two years, we prioritize coming together as a team to build those very personal connections.

It’s also a chance to invest in the development of ISMC staff. We’ll have a former international student (now a board member with years of mission experience) share with us about evangelism in a cultural context. A local speaker sharing about building healthy relationships, both among staff members and between staff and students. Some partner organizations sharing about opportunities for connection, collaboration and outreach. Great things that will help us serve students better in our local contexts.

And of course, it’s a time to pray. For each other, for the students we love and serve, for God to send more workers into the harvest field, and for the seeds that we are planting to bear fruit.

So, as we finalize all the details, as our speakers are refining their content, and as our staff are making their travel arrangements, please pray. And please especially pray from May 20-24th, that our time together will draw us closer to God and each other, and equip us to serve students well.

Would you help us subsidize the costs to allow as many staff members as possible to attend? You can make a donation to the National Ministry Fund or donate directly to your local City Ministry or the ministry costs of your local staff at ismc.ca/donate 

Thank you for your heart for international students, and those who serve them.

When’s the last time you had a conversation about crucifixion and resurrection?

As we approach Easter, we’re excited to have opportunities to share about the crux of the Christian message.

Erica from the ISMC City Team in London, ON, tells this story from last Easter:

In the coming weeks, we’ll see many of these opportunities.

In Kamloops, BC, students attending Focus Club have been having deep discussions based on the book of Luke. Next week, they’ll be discussing the crucifixion and resurrection.

In Hamilton, ON, ISMC staff and volunteers will be inviting students they’ve been building relationships with to join them at Easter-themed concerts, Good Friday and Easter services.

Saskatoon, SK, is just one of the cities where Christians will be inviting international students to join them for an Easter Dinner, opening up opportunities to share about the true meaning of Easter.

Please pray with us that students will be amazed and want to know more about this Jesus who died and rose again in order to rescue them. And that they will truly come to know the story of Easter.

(There are several cities still looking for individuals and families to open their homes to International Students for Easter Dinner. Interested? You can find more details at friendsfordinner.ca)

 

There’s been so much upheaval and unrest in our world recently, and when you have international student friends, so often, every international news story brings to mind a name and a face. When I read about the uprisings in Iran, I see our Iranian students, anxious for the safety of their loved ones, especially while communications are disrupted and they’re far from home. When I read about currency devaluation in various countries in Africa, I see a Nigerian student struggling to pay his tuition fees while the Naira crashes. When I read about changes in immigration policy in our own country, I see friends who are recent graduates trying to navigate a system where they’re no longer confident that they can find the job they need to fulfil their dream of staying in Canada. My heart hurts for international students affected by local and global events. So what can we do? We can bring community together around these students. Sometimes that means being a compassionate listener and a source of comfort and hope. Sometimes that means helping students access practical assistance. Sometimes that means being a mentor or a friend. And we can pray. We’re reminded again and again how much international students—even those who are not believers—find comfort in the prayers of God’s people. Will you pray with us? Each week, ISMC sends out a text message reminding us to lift the needs of international students to our Heavenly Father. With specific requests, and the context to let you know how world events—and daily life—are affecting our international student friends, the Uplift Prayer Guide equips us to pray well. You’ll find the sign up link at ismc.ca/pray. Thank you for walking alongside international students in prayer—you’re walking with them from desperation to celebration. We look forward to sharing stories of celebration with you throughout the coming year. In Him, Cam Janzen President & CEO