Embracing International Students with Christ’s Inclusive Love

Our journey

Yosef: Arriving in Canada as a young refugee unfamiliar with the language and culture, Yosef faced significant challenges. It was during his time as a refugee prisoner that God called him to believe in Jesus and to shepherd God’s flock. Through the unwavering support of a local church and his faith in God, he found a community that embraced him. This transformative experience awakened his passion for ministry. With a Master of Divinity and over 8 years in pastoral care, he is dedicated to supporting international students and local students at Simon Fraser University (SFU); SFU reported having approximately 6,400 international students and 23,700 domestic students enrolled in fall 2023., helping them navigate similar journeys.

Jessica: Her personal encounter with Christ during university, facilitated by Cru, led her to serve on their staff for nearly eight years. Six of those years were spent in East Asia as an international student, sharing the gospel and building meaningful relationships. After marrying Yosef and relocating to Canada, she joined ISMC to continue this mission, supporting international students alongside her husband.

Their Mission

Their aim to create a welcoming environment where international students can experience God’s love, find community, and grow spiritually. Recognizing that Jesus’ message is for everyone—regardless of background or status— ISMC’s vision is to connect students with local churches where they can grow deeper in their faith and experience God’s love in a church community. They strive to reflect this inclusivity in our ministry.

How You Can Join Them

1. Prayer Support: They value your prayers for wisdom, strength, and guidance as they serve.
2. Volunteer Opportunities: Share your testimony, lead worship sessions, or engage with students from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating Christ’s love through your actions.
3. Church Partnerships: Collaborate with them to disciple students, integrating them into church communities where they can experience God’s grace and grow in faith
4. Financial Contributions: ISMC staff are not salaried. Their income depends entirely on
   donations from individuals, churches, and community partners.

Why This Matters

Jesus’ ministry encompassed all individuals, illustrating that God’s love and salvation are universal. Yosef & Jessica invite you to join them in this ministry. Together, by sharing the gospel with international and local students, you embody this inclusive message, offering them
a community where they can experience Christ’s love firsthand.

Learn more about ISMC