When you ask international students why they’ve come to Canada to study, you’ll get a variety of answers: 

• To improve my English
• To get my PR and stay in Canada
• To have an adventure
• To graduate with a Canadian degree

Some might even come to discover how a “Christian” nation does things differently. But few come with the express intention of getting to know a God who loves them.

Students may come for a degree – but sometimes they leave with so much more.

They leave with a Canadian degree

For most international students, coming to Canada involves a huge paradigm shift. And that offers opportunities to explore life and faith in a different context. When international students meet genuine Christians who care about them, stereotypes and assumptions melt away.  Relationships are formed. And students actually want to know the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).

Genuine friendship

It’s so exciting when students come to faith. If you’re on our email list, you’ll have celebrated with us as a student from Iran and a student from China recently chose to follow Jesus. (If you’re not on the email list, sign up today so that you don’t miss any future stories). 

But there are so many small perspective changes along the way that lead up to these significant decisions.

It might look like a student who’s been distrustful of all things Christian finding some Christian friends. It may look like a student who was disinterested becoming curious and seeking out opportunities to learn more about this faith that makes people live differently.

Curiosity about what the Bible says

Sometimes it looks like lots of deep discussions and lots of questions, and, every once in a while, it looks like a clear decision.

Please pray for international students, wherever they are on their faith journey. Pray that they will be open to learning about this God who loves them so much. And consider a gift to ISMC or to your City Ministry to equip students, staff and volunteers to walk alongside international students as they learn and grow.

With Blessings,

Cam Janzen
President

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