Our International ministry has really flourished since Christmas and I can't believe 2 months has passed.
Our group has hosted several key events, I have a committed team of student leaders, and several students are studying the bible with us. Here are some highlights:
Christmas with Students:
On December 24th and 25th we shared our family Christmas with 26 students in our home. They were from India, China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka. We had two days of sharing meals and fun and sharing what Christmas says about Jesus. In our 14 years of marriage we had never cooked the Christmas meal! This year was our first. We did it by printing recipes and delegating groups of students to cook together. This activity really bonded our group and helped students share the occasion. On Christmas Eve students joined us at church for a christmas eve service. Back at home we shared the advent readings and acted out the nativity story with them. Our kids really enjoyed the time - we are so glad they are willing to share their lives with students.
Mentoring Leaders
In January 6 students answered a call to step onto my leadership team. We meet weekly for bible training, prayer and event planning. They are keen and motivated. This is really beginning to be a student led movement. They all have stories of how they are inviting friends to events, into time together, and in discussions about Jesus. I'm excited to work with them. The training in January was around witnessing. They then had the chance to help us run a 2 day outreach booth in a large student residence. It's called the "Red Cup Proxe". At this booth students enjoy a drink and then enter a discussion about what their deeper thirsts are. Several students chose to participate all the way through and heard a gospel presentation from a student leader. One of my leaders, Scott, tapped me on the arm and said "I think this guy wants to accept Jesus, what do I do?"After further discussion, it was clear the student needed more time to think about things and left. Students have a powerful voice among their peers as witnesses -friends will listen to them. I'm convinced that equipping them for evangelism within the culture of students is a vital task of our church today to reach this generation.
Bible Studies that reach
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
This was the mission statement Jesus proclaimed as he began his mission in Israel. Its the theme verse I continue drawing students back to as we look together at the life of Jesus recorded in the gospel of Luke.
Built on the trust from Christmas together, several new students joined our bible study groups in the new year. Five studies occur at UBC each week serving 24 students; two led by students, and three by me. There are both Christians and non in each group. So many great questions are coming up such as "so this really happened!" For these students, the kind of God Jesus represents is so different than their ideas. His mercy and kindness are really attractive. Recently after reading the above mission statement of Jesus and a story where he heals someone, a student from China in my study said "where is this kingdom, I want to join!"
Pray with me that these students become aware of their need for Jesus' offer of life and that the Holy Spirit's peace and power will become tangibly present to them so that they will take the step of entering his kingdom.
Saturday Dinners
Student dinners at our home continue to be the main gathering place to meet new students and share hospitality with them. This term we have offered special discussion topics that point to our faith and add to the questions student may have. In January one dinner featured our friend Karen Giesbrecht who shared about her work with the Christian Food Network in Vancouver. They assist in food security issues for people in poverty. Karen cooked the meal with us and taught us from Jesus' feeding the 5000.
On February 11th, our topic was Love and Relationships. We featured a panel of 2 Christian couples who answered students questions (by secret ballot). Topics included "how to date and how to know if they are 'the one', conflict in relationships, "is flirting ok", "what is love". After a lively discussion we ended with a chocolate fountain.
Theological Study
A big addition to my life in ministry has been taking a masters level course at Regent College called New Testament Foundations. I enrolled in their diploma program which gives me training in new and old testament, and expressing Christianity in our culture. It's quite a large load of reading but its adding so much to my leadership and Bible teaching. Regent gives IVCF staff 50% off and IVCF allows me to expense this cost to my ministry budget as professional development. Your financial gifts are equipping me as a leader to pass on training to young leaders. Thank you for this support!
Ski Retreat
From February 17th -19th, 30 international students from our group joined the larger IVCF ski retreat representing 3 campuses and totalling 140 people. We stayed at a church in Hope, BC and skied for one day. The evenings included alot of games and great discussions. Saturday night we taught them a song that we'd sing for the church the next morning. Picture 140 people, over half who are non-christians, singing and swaying to a swahili song called "there's no one like Jesus". One comment from a Japanese friend was that he loves the Christian group and finds us so friendly compared to other locals he's met. I'm praying that this atmosphere of love continues to impress and attract students who will then begin turning to Jesus because of what they've experienced among us.
Thank you for your continued prayer and financial support. Your gifts give us the time and resources to bring the good news of Jesus directly into the lives of students who might otherwise not have the chance to hear.
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Mike
Mike Bennett
International Friendship Group
Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
University of British Columbia
778-875-9171
