'The spark that lights a fire'

Does international student ministry really impact the worldwide church?

'International student ministry is one of the most strategic ways to reach the nations with the gospel.' So Lindsay Brown, General Secretary of the International Federation of Evangelical Students (IFES), has been quoted as saying.

Is he right? Those of us involved in such ministry tend to be somewhat up-beat on this, but we do have our franker moments too. We realise, with great sadness, that of those who profess faith while with us in the UK, all too many seem to struggle on their return home. In this context the following account comes as a massive encouragement to carry on carrying on. 'Your labour in the Lord is not in vain' - 1 Corinthians 15.58

Sitting by an evangelist

A Christian student from Cambridge University spent some time in the Middle East one summer. He was part of a team of seven trying to learn something of the Arab culture and see what Christian work is being done there. It was a bit frustrating for them not to be able to do much in the way of outreach or in helping the church, but a local evangelist - we'll call him 'M' - sensitively did what he could to involve them.

One day the student had the opportunity to sit next to the evangelist on a car journey and learn a bit about his background.

'M' had been brought up in a nominal Christian church, but this expressed his cultural identity rather than his relationship with God. As with many from his country, he dreamed of emigrating to the green fields of the West and so in the 1970s he went to the UK to study English. While he was studying at one of the language schools in Cambridge, a guy came into the school to tell them about a Christian coffee bar called Henry's. 'M' was invited specifically to come along to a Bible study that would be held there. It was the case of 'Yes, I'll come along', but with no real intention of going. The man kept going back to the language school to invite people along and on four occasions specifically invited 'M'. He eventually gave in and turned up at the Bible study. Amazingly, many years later, he was still able to recount just how that Bible study had started. The leader put a Bible and a glove on the table and commanded the glove to open the Bible. Not surprisingly, it didn't! He did this a couple of times with no response. Then he put the glove on his own hand and with it he opened the Bible. 'In the same way that the glove needed my hand to open the Bible, so our hearts need the Holy Spirit to enable us to study God's word.'

'M' kept going to the Bible studies, gradually made friends with some of the students who led them, and then joined them on a house party they were running for international students. It was then that he, along with a few other international students, gave his life to Christ.

Natural to tell everyone

In the early days of his Christian faith he started attending a local church, but nevertheless got most of his teaching and encouragement through involvement with the university Christian Union. There he learnt that the natural thing for Christians to do was to tell everyone about their faith, and so as a new believer that is exactly what he did. He would stop complete strangers in the street and invite them to come along to various evangelistic events. It wasn't until much later, when he found himself caught up in complex issues in another land, that he started to be more cautious in his outreach.

Apparent dead end

Once he had completed his language course he went to work in Canada for a number of years, and there got married. After some years' work in North America both 'M' and his wife started to sense a call to missionary work, initially in Africa. For some reason they had to go through the Middle East on the way and once there, found themselves apparently at a dead end when they were denied entry to the country they thought they had been heading for. It was then that they first seriously thought about working with the church in M's home country. God's wonderful providence! Since that time they have given their lives as evangelists for the evangelical church with a particular ministry to Muslims.

When they started the work, the church in general would not tell Muslims about Christ, partly because of legal restrictions but also because of the long historical segregation between the two parts of society. These obstacles still exist, but despite them a slow change of heart has now started in the church. This is most noticeable among the leadership, who have learnt to respect 'M' and others who take the Great Commission seriously. The average church member, however, is still far more cautious. Apparently one of the members of the congregation once met with 'M' and the church pastor, and rebuked them for speaking to Muslims about Christ. 'Christians should not do that!' they said - as simple as that. Nevertheless in the last few years they have had the joy of seeing some Muslims coming to Christ, and at the same time a conversion of thinking something like Peter's in Acts 10 has occurred in at least some of the congregation.

Phenomenal potential

Will they be there for the rest of their lives? Probably. 'M' is a dear man of God and his testimony and current ministry must give joy to the Lord who saved him and bought him for Himself.

And what of us? Do we feel in some way left behind by his example? Let's hope not. Rather, as we see the phenomenal potential of just one person hearing the gospel through their time here in the UK, insignificant though we may feel in ourselves, let's carry on serving Christ in the way he has called us to. Whether this is through our own witness or through the witness of others whom we can pray for, we can all be part of God's wonderful salvation plan for the nations!

Bartow Wylie, Friends International

Friends International (formerly known as ISCS) is an evangelical ministry dedicated to establishing and strengthening Christian witness in every nation. Working with churches in the UK, Friends International staff and volunteers seek to reach international students for Christ and equip them to return home with gospel.

Further info from the Support Centre on 020 8780 3511 or visit their website at www.friendsinternational.org.uk

'The spark that lights a fire'

Sitting by an evangelist

Natural to tell everyone

Apparent dead end

Phenomenal potential

Bartow Wylie, Friends International

Bartow Wyllie

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