(Wes Blood is a CCCC missionary working with international students with a ministry called “Wellspring.” The following is taken from a recent newsletter, and indicates an effective ministry that could also be used by churches near other universities with many international students.)

Resurrection Power

…that you may know… what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places… (Ephesians 1:18b–20)

Your church could host an international event. It is not as difficult as you would think, and it is exciting to have the world come into your fellowship hall. Let me tell you about a church in our city.

For the past three years, this church has held an Easter dinner for international students. These international students who come to the United States are very curious about the meaning of our holidays. As they see the Easter decorations go up, they witness a confusing mishmash of colored eggs, crosses, bunnies, and empty tombs. For someone who has no idea what this is all about, the images are very confusing.

So this church puts together a dinner and presentation all about Easter. We are very clear with students before we invite them, that they will hear about both the secular, and sacred meaning of Easter, so they are not surprised that this is a religious event. We have learned that we NEVER do “bait and switch” events, and we are always completely up-front with students when any event will have Christian content, so no one is ever caught off guard and uncomfortable.

This year the event was very personal. Each “host” family in the church brought their own table settings and decorations, and made their table just like their table at home. It was like each host invited the students into their own dining room. We had contact cards at the table so everyone could share contact information, and many of the families plan to invite their students to their church’s Easter service, or even to their home some time in the future.

Attendance was amazing. The church had requested that we try to find 40 students who would like to come. I promoted the event mainly to new students who had come since October, and we ended up having 53 sign up! They mostly came from China, Nepal and several Middle Eastern countries. Not only did they hear all about the secular side of Easter (bunnies, eggs, candy, etc.), but they also heard all about the Holy Week, and all the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection! We also gave each student a copy of the Jesus film in their native language.

Returning to Minister

A couple years ago, we shared about a Chinese grad student who became a follower of Jesus and was baptized. He was so radically transformed that he was instrumental in leading another five or six students to know Jesus. He then decided to shift gears and go to seminary to better reach his people.

This young man, whom I will call “Zak,” will be returning to our city later this summer. Please be in prayer about how God would best use us to encourage and support him, and use him to reach others.