If you look at the Doorways newsletters from ISMC’s second decade, you’ll find story upon story of International Students who became permanent residents of God’s kingdom while they were studying in Canada. Decades later, we believe these stories are still worth celebrating! Pray with us, as you read these excerpts from so many years ago, for the hearts of students who will be touched this year and who will invite Jesus to reign in their lives in 2024 and beyond:

Hatsumi’s Story

“The Holy Spirit’s promptings convinced me that we should invite this 25-year-old Japanese student home for lunch – even though home was a mess due to our impending move! While I washed dishes, I saw Hatsumi on the couch “devouring” the New Testament I had been impressed to give her moments earlier. This led very naturally to conversation about my Lord Jesus. Surrounded by packing boxes, Hatsumi tearfully asked Jesus to be her Lord. On July 25, I was privileged to baptize her, and her friends and fellow students witnessed this. “Now I’m not afraid of living! Now God is very close. I think I wanted to be loved but our love has a limit. God’s love is a big love!” Hatsumi came to Canada from the “land of the rising sun” and returned to Japan as a permanent resident of the Kingdom of the Risen Son!

(from Hatsumi’s Story, as shared by the ISMC Victoria City Director in Doorways Feb 1994)

Yan’s story

In China, I often pondered spiritual questions. To know, “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” were very important to me. One day while in Vancouver, I met a Taiwanese Christian lady. She invited me to Bible study and when I began reading the Bible, I found what I had been seeking. But I just added the Bible to my Buddhism books. Then one day when I was praying, God said to me, “Christianity is being saved by salvation, but Buddhism is by saving yourself.” It was like a light turned on in my heart! At that moment, I became a believer in Christ. Many students now come to me with the same questions I had when I arrived in North America. What a joy to point them to Jesus Christ, the same Answer I found!”

(from Yan’s story, as shared in Doorways 1995 Vol. 2)

Story of a student from Korea

As a Korean student, she was one of thirteen international students from the University of Alberta who accompanied us on our tour to Victoria. [We] engaged in evening devotions in a hostel when this Korean student briefly opened her heart with the words, “I have very empty feeling inside.” After explaining the plan of salvation, we challenged her to commit her life and cares to Jesus Christ when she retired that night. By the time the tour ended, she was able to say, “I don’t have an empty feeling anymore.”

(from a story shared by ISMC Edmonton Staff in Doorways 1998 Vol. 3)

Mindy’s Story

“My name is Mindy Seto and I am originally from Hong Kong. Five years ago I was invited to FOCUS at the home of ISMC staff. I had never been in a Canadian home before. I was introduced to turkey and stuffing, waffles, and brownies. I found love, met Christians, international friends, and, most importantly, my Lord Jesus Christ.”

(from Mindy’s Story, as shared in Doorways 2001 Vol. 2)

Story of a student from China

One Chinese student shared how, coming to Canada as an atheist, he battled for months over evolution and creation before deciding to become a Christian. “As a new Christian, although I still have a lot of question marks in my Bible because some verses don’t make sense to me, I agree with the basic idea that there is a God in heaven who is powerful and awesome. He will reign in my heart and guide me throughout my life.”

(from a story shared by ISMC Toronto Associate Staff in Doorways Vol. 2 2002)

Story of Yoshiko, Yumiko and Aya

One night three young Japanese women, Yoshiko, Yumiko, and Aya, attended our International Christian Fellowship for the first time. After dinner we learned that they sometimes sought the services of a professional fortune teller when facing major decisions. We told them that Christians can count on God’s guidance through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Later that evening, all three invited Jesus into their hearts.”

(from a story shared by ISMC Victoria City Director in Doorways 1998 Vol. 3)

Story of Queenie and Ping Ping

A shy young lady approached the table and asked for a Chinese and English New Testament. A friend had suggested she read the Bible, so we told her about a FOCUS club which met every Friday if she would be interested in studying the Bible in a small group. She agreed to come. When we met that Friday, we were delighted to welcome not one, but two young ladies. Queenie had brought her classmate, Ping Ping Lim from Malaysia. The girls soon showed an interest in learning more of God’s Word and for the next two years they rarely missed a meeting. As they grew spiritually, their interest in Bible studies continued. The next term Queenie and Ping Ping became key members of the FOCUS executive, starting each Bible study time with singing. It has been over a year since each of “our girls” committed their lives to Jesus. Their spiritual growth has been exciting to see!

(from a story shared by ISMC Edmonton Associate Staff in Doorways 1995 Vol. 4)

Yi Sung’s story

Yi Sung was terribly lonely for her home and parents in China. However, after she gave her heart and life to the Lord, she told us, “I prayed and asked God to take my loneliness away and give me peace of mind, and He answered my prayer.”

(from Yi Sung’s story shared by ISMC Friendship Partners in Doorways 1996 Vol. 2)

Story of a student from China

On a recent night at FOCUS, a Chinese scholar friend (S.) told me he had decided to entrust his life to God. S. wanted to know everything about God before he made his decision. But a book helped him to realize that if he knew the fundamentals of the gospel message, and believed, he should first make a commitment and then the rest would be revealed. In the middle of the night, S. felt God saying to him, “Now is the time,” and he agreed!

(from a story shared by ISMC Waterloo Staff in Doorways 2001 Vol. 4)

Story of a student from Korea

“When I came here to Canada [from Korea], I thought there were many ways to God so I decided to choose Christianity. Now I know there is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ. Before I felt that I was trying to find God, but then I suddenly realized that God had found me. Now I am at peace.”

(from a story shared in Doorways 1996 Vol. 3)

Grace’s story

Growing up in Taiwan, I used to seek God by looking in the great temples. There I found peace, but it was only temporary. Never could I find the purpose of life. Then God began to show me life’s meaning. Three years ago, a Christian friend told me that God created the universe. I argued. I refused the Bible she offered, but did accept a book called “Streams in the Desert”, which was very uplifting. As I kept reading, I began to form my own prayers. Gradually, I began to pray about everything. Then I claimed a promise from God: “For everyone who asks, receives; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matt 7:8). Amazing! I also learned that the heavenly Father sent His only Son (Jesus) to die on the cross to pardon our sins. What amazing grace! I am willing to put myself in God’s hands, knowing that He will lead me, knowing He has pardoned my sins and given me eternal life. I hope more and more people will humbly trust Jesus and become totally new creations.

(from Grace’s story shared in Doorways 1997 Vol. 1)