When is the last time someone asked to come to church with you? For our family, it was the Indian student we recently hosted for dinner: “All my life, I’ve wanted to go to church at Christmas. Could I come with you?”

In Calcutta, she explained, only one church hosted a Christmas program. But heavy Christmas traffic made it nearly impossible to get near the church. She never got to go. Now, in Canada, she would finally have her chance: “Oh, I would love to come to church for Christmas.”

Isn’t it amazing how Christmas provides so many opportunities for us to share our table, our home, and our faith with international students? God has brought these students—so many of them from the 10/40 window—to our campuses. And they have a hunger and openness for the gospel that’s remarkable.

This Christmas, will you come alongside ISMC to equip Christians and churches to reach students who are far from home?

We are excited to share the depth and breadth of ministry to international students across the country. The statistics and pictures are only a fraction of the story—how do you quantify relationships or photograph hearts softened toward the gospel?

As the number of international students in Canada significantly increases, we are actively growing our capacity to minister. Since January, four new staff have joined ISMC. Each ISMC staff member translates into more volunteers being equipped and more churches engaged in ministry to international students in their community. This translates into reaching more international students with Christ’s love.

Please give generously this Christmas so that together we can continue helping Christians and churches reach international students in communities across Canada. You can give online or mail in the donation form.

If you’d like more information on how you can be involved with international students in 2024.

Jakob Koch
ISMC President