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Welcome!Welcome!

Friendship

Partner

Training

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International Students, Inc.International Students, Inc.

Established in 1953, National Office in Colorado Springs

Reaches students through friendship evangelism and discipleship

Prepares returning students for ministry in their homeland

Partners with churches to reach all international students in a city

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Today’s TrainerToday’s Trainer

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What are the Predominant Religions?

Animism Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Islam Non-Religious Other Religions

Majority Religions by Country

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How Many People Groups Have Not Heard the Gospel?

0 to 5 5 to 25 25-50 50-100 100-318

Number of People Groups Least Exposed to the Gospel by Country

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Currently at ISI...Currently at ISI...

Number of Students: Number of Affiliate Churches: Number of Volunteers: Number of Campuses: Number of Staff:

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International Students International Students in the USin the US

97% of the “least-evangelized world” lives in the 10/40 Window.

60% of international students come from the “least-evangelized world.”

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International Students International Students in the USin the US

70% of all international students will never enter an American home.

80% will never enter an American church.

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Leading Countries of OriginLeading Countries of Origin

China Japan Republic of Korea India Taiwan

Canada Thailand Indonesia Malaysia Mexico

Source: Open Doors, 1998-99 Report on International Educational Exchange, Todd M. Davis, Editor

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Leading Fields of StudyLeading Fields of Study

Business and Management Engineering Math and Computer Sciences Social Sciences Physical and Life Sciences Fine and Applied Arts

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Here’s our city!Here’s our city!

Goal: To reach all the international students God has brought to our city.

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Getting a studentGetting a student

Call within one week

Introduce yourself as the American friend they requested

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Your partnership with ISIYour partnership with ISI

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BreakBreak

Take a 10-minute break

Check out the resources on the book table

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The adventure of a lifetime!The adventure of a lifetime!

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The priority of evangelismThe priority of evangelism

To Abraham (Genesis 12:2, 3) To Isaac (Genesis 26:3, 4) To Jacob (Genesis 28:13, 14) The Psalmist (Psalm 67) Our Lord (Luke 24:46, 47)

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Full-Cycle Evangelism

International Students, Inc., (ISI) exists to share Christ’s love with international students

and to equip them for effective service in cooperation with the local church and others.

1. Friendship

2. Verbal Witness

3. Conversion4. GrowthActivities

5. Training

6. Lifetime ofReproductive

Service

Full-CycleEvangelism

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Reaching the World, Reaching the World, One Person at a TimeOne Person at a Time

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Former US Senator Former US Senator Bill Armstrong:Bill Armstrong:

“When somebody steps out to help influence the worldview and to share the attitudes of a student from another country, in so doing, it is actually possible to impact the whole destiny of that country through that student.”

21Churches started in home country

Returns home, begins seminary

Student befriended

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Colossians 1:28, TLBColossians 1:28, TLB

“Everywhere we go we talk about Christ to all who will listen.”

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Friendship EvangelismFriendship Evangelism

Friendship--without strings attached

Evangelism--communicating the Good News of Jesus Christ

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A faithful messenger understands the Gospel and, relying on the Holy Spirit, seeks to communicate the Gospel to the best of his or her ability so that the hearer knows enough to make a decision to say “yes” or “no” to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior with sensitivity to the person, situation, and any cross-cultural issues.

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Spiritual Stages ScaleSpiritual Stages ScaleGod’s

InitiativeChristian’s

ResponsibilityInternational’s Response

Witness of theSpirit

Christian fellowship +5 Understanding and application of Bibledoctrine

Personal growth +4 Growth in Bible study

+3 Conceptual and behavioral growth

+2 Adoption of Christian identity

+1 Assurance of salvation

Gives spirituallife

Harvesting Conversion: New Creation in Christbecause received Him as Savior

–1 Repentance

Cultivating andwatering the crop

–2 Decision to act

Convicts –3 Recognition of personal sin problem inrelation to God

–4 Positive attitude toward the Gospel

Planting the seed –5 Understanding fundamentals of theGospel

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Stages of RelationshipStages of Relationship

You extend genuine friendship--serve practical needs

Trust builds in an atmosphere of respect--opening to sharing personal issues

Student is willing to learn about Christ from you

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Why do you think people don’t share their faith?

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Common Barriers to Common Barriers to WitnessingWitnessing

Fear of rejection Ignorance of what to say Apathy to personal responsibility to

witness Introspection about personal walk Busyness with less important things

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What questions would you ask to open a spiritual conversation?

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Spiritual Transition QuestionsSpiritual Transition Questions

What is the religious tradition of your family?

What is your concept or belief about God? What is your perception of religion in this

country? Where are you on your spiritual journey? Do you know what Christians believe?

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Caution!Caution!

Student may be reluctant to open up!

Do not challenge the student’s beliefs or background!

Student may see religion and culture as one!

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What are some ways you could pray for your student?

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Pray...Pray... For boldness To meet those God is drawing to Himself To understand obstacles to your friend’s

understanding Against the enemy For love for and commitment to your

student Ask how you can pray for him or her.

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Study Among Muslim ConvertsStudy Among Muslim Converts

Reason for conversion– Unexplained answers to prayer– Unexplained acts of love by Christians– Exposure to multiple Christians and seeing

the consistency of love

Source unknown

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Sharing Your TestimonySharing Your Testimony

Make it conversational Avoid religious cliches and preaching Three minutes only! Practice! Assure decision steps are clear Expect a response!

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Testimony OutlineTestimony Outline ((Feel free to adapt it to fit your story.)

Before I trusted Christ

How I trusted Christ

After I trusted Christ

Conclude with a question

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Inviting Your Student Inviting Your Student to Churchto Church

Invite to “Christian worship meeting” Don’t push Invite to be an “observer” Explain dress and schedule Explain offering, baptism, communion Introduce to Christians Use as discussion starter Assume nothing Pray Avoid defensiveness

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ISI’s Evangelism PathwayISI’s Evangelism PathwayMaterials for EvangelismMaterials for Evangelism

Knowing God Personally tract Who Is This Jesus? (for use with the

Jesus video) Discovering God Bible study How Will They Hear? evangelistic Bible

study Meeting God evangelistic Bible study

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ISI’s Evangelism PathwayISI’s Evangelism PathwayMaterials for DisciplingMaterials for Discipling

Growing Strong to Serve Bible study Discovering God Bible study series

– Walking with God – Putting God First– Sharing God with Others

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Other ResourcesOther Resources

Christian literature Jesus video Bibles in student’s language Local resources: ICF,

conversational English

etc.

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What does a person need to know to be saved?

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Bill Bright’s ResponsesBill Bright’s Responses There is a Creator God. God wants a personal relationship with every

person. People are sinful and separated from God. Christ rose from the dead. Forgiveness is free and available to all. We must repent. We must receive God’s gift. Salvation is by grace through faith, not works.

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Use Use Knowing God PersonallyKnowing God Personally in in the context of a strong the context of a strong

friendshipfriendship

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Questions to help you share Questions to help you share Knowing God PersonallyKnowing God Personally::

Would you be interested in reading together a small pamphlet that...– …has the information that has really changed my

whole life?– …could help you experience the meaning in life

God has given me and many others?– …presents the heart of the Bible in a clear way?– …shows how a person can know the God of the

Bible?

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Arrangements for Sharing the Arrangements for Sharing the Knowing God PersonallyKnowing God Personally tract tract

Find a place where you and your student can be alone.

If a suitable person of the opposite gender is unavailable, meet in a public setting that offers privacy.

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Guidelines for Sharing the Guidelines for Sharing the Knowing God PersonallyKnowing God Personally tract tract

You and Knowing God Personally are more powerful together in God’s hands than the booklet by itself.

The Holy Spirit is the One who changes your student’s heart. Avoid being rigid and impersonal. Show kindness and love. Speak with confidence. Hold the booklet so the student can read it. Have the student read aloud. Seek feedback and listen carefully. Underline key words and phrases. Use your Bible.

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Main Point:Main Point:

God made everything, including us, and He made us special.

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Main Point:Main Point:

God made us to have a loving, personal relationship with Him.

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Main Points:Main Points:

Our problem is that going our own way (sin) has broken our relationship with God.

We can never heal this broken relationship by our own efforts.

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Role Play!Role Play!

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Main Point:Main Point:

The only solution to the problem of our broken relationship with God is Jesus Christ.

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Main Point:Main Point:

Your student faces the most important decision of his or her life!

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Role Play!Role Play!

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Main Point:Main Point:

To confess my sins and invite Jesus into my life as Lord and Savior establishes me in a new relationship with God.

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Important!Important!

Make sure the steps are clear. Jesus not only died, but was

resurrected. Be sure to make clear what “trusting

in Christ” means. A relationship with Jesus Christ is

for now, and all eternity.

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Main Point:Main Point:

We can be confident in our new relationship with God because His promises are true.

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Immediate Follow-Up GuidelinesImmediate Follow-Up Guidelines Pray with the new believer. Tell him/her doubt is not unusual for new believers. God says we can know we have eternal life (Review 1

John 5:12-13). Testify to the faithfulness of God and His Word in your

own life. Review “Walking with God” list with him/her (Section

Seven). Involve the student in Bible study and discipleship. Arrange Christian worship. Be sensitive to the home country situation.

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Additional Follow-Up Additional Follow-Up GuidelinesGuidelines

Fill out Profession of Faith form– Give it to your Church Team Leader

Ask the Church Team to pray for your student.

Arrange follow up for the departing new believer (with his/her permission).– Student Transfer Form– Returnee Information Form

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Code of EthicsCode of Ethics International Student Advisors

– Respect

– Support

– Harmony International Students

– Dignity

– Respect

– Honest and open publicity Community Groups

– Cooperation

– Support

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You Are Members of a TeamYou Are Members of a Team At your church

– Monthly call

– Group activities

– Prayer

– Assistance ISI

– Area-wide ministry focus

– Prayer network

– Training

– Conferences

– Follow-up

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Responsibilities of a Responsibilities of a Friendship PartnerFriendship Partner

Contacts student weekly and sees at least monthly.

Keeps in contact with the church team. Participates in church Friendship Partner

activities. Prays regularly for students and the church’s

ISI ministry. Reports problems and concerns. Fills out reports.

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Keys to building a friendship Keys to building a friendship with an international studentwith an international student

Respect the student and his/her culture. Ask the student how you can pray. Don’t be manipulative, coercive, or

deceptive in the communication of the Gospel.

Encourage the believing student in his/her walk with Christ.

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Thank you, and God bless you!Thank you, and God bless you!