International Student Ministry

The Nations on our Doorstep

Allan Bartlam, Director of International Student Ministry (ISM) introduces us to this exciting new initiative in the UK.

In a way, ministry to international students has been part of our work in the UK for a number of years. However, we sense that the timing is right to develop and organise this initiative in a new way. A key scripture that has influenced this initiative is Isaiah 55 v 5:

‘Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that you do not know will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy one of Israel.’

The right timing was influenced by our unplanned return from Tanzania. I will oversee the development of the ISM as well as begin a work locally in Birmingham. Navigator Representatives Paul and Jayne Arnold in Lincoln and Bob and Sal Sewell-Alger in Reading have joined this venture. Others may follow.

Over 500,000 international students are studying in the UK. China, India, Pakistan, the Far East, Europe and Africa are well represented. Many nations closed to traditional missionary activity send their young people to study here including Libya, Iran and Vietnam. What an opportunity to meet them, serve them and introduce them to Jesus.

There are churches and organisations working with international students. We want to work alongside them to bring the gospel to the nations.

A key aspect of ISM is preparing international students to return home, better established and equipped to serve the Lord.

As Navigators we can bring our emphases of working with individuals and small groups to ISM.

Our vision is to help international students by:

Serving - many need practical help such as where are the shops, how do I use the bus, where can I get food I like? This part of ministry can be time consuming but communicates a genuine love and concern.

Witnessing - sharing Christ by example and word. Our prayer is that many will come to faith.

Establishing - through personal and small group bible discussions, to see them grow to maturity

Equipping - helping them learn to pass on their faith to others

A key aspect of ISM is preparing international students to return home, better established and equipped to serve the Lord.

There are three ways in which you can get involved in this initiative:

• Receiving a regular prayer letter
• Receiving a visit from a Navigator representative to discuss a practical involvement in the ISM as a volunteer
• Attending a one-day seminar for training and sharing of ideas

Email Allan Bartlam on allan.bartlam@navigators.co.uk if you would like to play a part in reaching international students. Or contact the Navigators UK office.

Twenty-five years ago the nearest my family got to knowing people from most other countries was through TV programmes or, maybe, by writing airmail letters. Now the situation is very different. We have the tremendous privilege of getting to know and meet international students from all over the world. There are over 4000 in Birmingham!

In the space of four days I recently spent time with people from Ukraine, Siberia, Moscow, Pakistan, China, Thailand, Ghana, India, Vietnam, Barbados, Japan, Iran, Canada and Libya! To do this I travelled no further than 15 minutes drive from my home. They have come to study in my city and culture.

As someone who has benefited from the friendship and support of others when overseas I can appreciate some of the difficulties and issues international students face in the UK. Imagine spending your first winter here if you come from Ghana, or coping with Sainsburys when you are used to bartering in the open-air market!

I had fun explaining Father Christmas to a Muslim who had never heard of him. Also eating fascinating food, discovering other customs and traditions, doing English conversation and helping put on a variety of social events have all been mutually enriching experiences. I know what it is like to experiment in another language having once announced ‘I am a toilet’ in Swahili on a visit to Tanzania.
The opportunity to talk about Jesus and Christianity seems to ‘just happen’ and my hope is that people’s interest will grow into faith.

Who knows what effect these encounters will have and the impact in other parts of the world?