...and He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation...
- Acts 17:24-26 - NASB.
In 1984 two couples commenced outreach to internationals on campuses in Edmonton and Calgary. Thus International Student Ministries Canada (ISMC) was born. Both the White family and the Schultz family imagined great things and sought the Lord to direct and multiply the work of their impassioned hearts.
Today we are 600 staff and volunteers strong serving in 17 centers across Canada reaching into the lives of some of the 180,000 visiting scholars whom God has brought to our doorstep. There are many praiseworthy things for us to give thanks for as ISMC has developed into the largest mission organization mandated to reaching international students in Canada today.
And Yet...we seek further capacity to work toward reaching more of these bright academics for Christ. Few are invited into Christian homes during their stay in Canada. Only a small percentage are ever acquainted with the gospel of Christ. And yet, it is here, away from their culture that they are more receptive and responsive to the love of Christ. This is where they are seeing the principles of the new testament alive and at work in the lives of the Christian community. This is where they ask the questions and wonder why joy and peace prevail in the lives of those who have a relationship with Christ.
When they first arrive in Canada most are under the impression they will witness and experience what they observe on Hollywood productions like "Friends" or "The Fresh Prince of Belair." The vast majority are falsely under the impression that there is no difference between the lifestyles of Hollywood and Christianity . . . your gifts make it possible for us to correct these misconceptions.
We are often questioned about our friendship "Why do you do this?" they ask. Our response is simple, "because this is what Jesus would be doing." This is a great segway into a spiritual conversation that takes us from friend to disciple. After all "it is within the context of relationship that the love of Christ begins to make sense."
We are inviting you to review these ISMC sanctioned PLANS that you can direct your CAPACITY BUILDING giftedness to increase our ability to reach more of these future leaders and businessmen of the nations of the world.
"When Carla gives us a hug, she hangs on for a while" Mary Geddart, Kelowna - referring to a young Mexican lady studying ESL in Kelowna, Canada.
