This past Sunday Bart Leu announced to our congregation that the Lord has led him to minister to international students at Michigan State University in Lansing. He will be leaving our church staff this summer and go full-time in this great ministry.
Having been a college pastor, I know the value of ministry to college students, especially those whose home is outside the boundaries of the United States. My son, Justin, has ministered to and with international students at University of Toledo. It’s a great opportunity to have a global impact.
I asked Bart to share 3 reasons why international ministry is important. He wrote the following response. Pray for him and Lori as they influence young people for Jesus Christ. Please contact him if you would like to contribute to his ministry. His information is below.
1. Commission Obedience
Jesus said go into all the world and preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. We have an unprecedented opportunity to reach the world for Christ through international student ministry. Close to 900,000 international students are currently studying at American colleges and universities. Many of these students, especially graduate students and visiting scholars, bring spouses and children with them to the United States, increasing this number far beyond a million souls! 7,643 international students were enrolled at Michigan State University in the Fall of 2014, ranking MSU #9 in the country for most number of international students, representing 132 different countries.
2. World Influence
Every international student and visiting scholar coming to study in the United States is a future or current leader in their country in the areas of business, engineering, politics, education, medicine, etc. We have been given the privilege of developing friendships with international students who have little or no knowledge of the Gospel. International students crave American friendship. Through loving friendships, we can share with them about God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and disciple those who place their faith in Jesus Christ. These world leaders then return home loving God and equipped to share Jesus with their friends, family, and others in their community. Even if they don’t become Christians, having had a positive experience with Christians, they may return home amiable to ministry of Christians in their country. We also have the opportunity to encourage, disciple, and equip for leadership, Christian international students in their faith who come to study in the US.
3. Gospel Penetration
Many countries forbid Christians from sharing openly about their faith in Jesus Christ. While studying in the United States, these students are able to hear the Gospel freely and without obstruction, and many for the first time. It is hard to describe the joy and privilege you feel when you are able to share Jesus with those who have no churches and absolutely no witness for Christ back in their home country.
You may contact Bart Leu at Faith Baptist Church (517) 265-2376 or email bartleu@juno.com.