Focus on the Unreached: International Day 2013

 Close to 600,000 international students come to study in the United States each year. This opens an opportunity for missions that we do not often have. We now have untold opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with foreign students who previously could only be reached by long-term missionaries. This year, School to the Nations gets another opportunity to reach over 400 students from all over the world, connecting them with local businesses, community, and campus ministries. 

 The idea of International Day came about when Randy and Maureen were working with inner-city missions, hosting teenagers at what is now the School to the Nations campus. Randy had a deep sense from the Lord that one day the influence of the campus would expand to host and reach the nations. In 2007, he attended classes with Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, where he met new friends who were already involved with international students and were in need of a place that could host those students. That autumn, the first event took place, and over 100 international students were ministered to and welcomed.

Globalization has caused an unprecedented intermingling of cultures in the last several decades.  Nations from all over the world are coming to the United States and Europe seeking education and a better life.  As such, the opportunities for cross-cultural ministry abound just by walking out the door.  God’s sovereign hand provides this opportunity to do his work. It's like the Lord told us to go to the world and gave us all these resources, but we instead chose to stay and enjoy the comforts of America. "Well," God says, "if you won't go to them, I'll just bring them to you. Is this close enough?" 

This authentic welcome requires a lot of help. Each year we are blessed with new volunteers, whose hearts are full of Christ and ready to share and have community with these students. We can impact the world right here in our backyard because the world sends their best and brightest right to our doorstep. Please join us in this! You have a unique opportunity to pray for them, love on them, share your life and faith with them. Let them see what your life, family, and faith is all about. See what God will do. Send them back with a vision to reach their own country for Christ. When these students come to know Christ, are discipled, and return home, they become missionaries in their own right. But instead of reaching a people foreign to them, they are reaching their friends and family.

Welcomers are people who are especially good at reaching out people of different cultures while remaining at home.  This should be part and parcel for believers in their own sphere of influence.  Reaching and discipling international students is possibly the most strategic mission in God's Kingdom today for fulfilling the Great Commission. Alongside campus ministries which work constantly to reach and disciple hundreds of students, International Day volunteers are a vital part of welcoming! Will you join us on August 15th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in welcoming these students for God's glory? We are especially in need of volunteers to help prepare food for these students the day of the event, starting around 2 p.m. at a nearby church. If you are interested in helping with this or any other part of International Day 2013, please contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@stnations.com -- she would be so blessed to hear from you as this event draws near!

“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.’” Revelation 5:9

Even if you can't make it to the event, we would be so blessed by your prayers and/or financial help. To take part in prayer for this upcoming event or to provide financial support, please contact Randy at randy@stnations.com . 

Urgent Call to Prayer: National Elections in Mali

For the past year the country of Mali has experienced troubling events that have led to civil war and political unrest. On Sunday the polls will open allowing Malians to elect new government leaders and hopefully begin the process of bringing peace to this once peaceful nation. 

As you know STN has a deep connection to many people in Mali and our hearts ache for them as they face these struggles. Will you join us in praying for Mali as the election approaches this week? 

Here are a few resources that may help you be informed along with a few prayer points as you lift this country up to the Father: 

-For National reconciliation 

-Security and safety of voters

-For clear and legitimate results 

-Nearly 300,000 are living in refugee camps outside the county, ask for them to return to Mali safely 

Please pass this post along via email, Facebook, or Twitter so that others can join us! 

http://www.voanews.com/content/registration-chaos-security-concerns-could-impact-mali-elections/1708482.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324144304578619990676689924.html

July Volunteers of the Month: Larry and Josh Stevens

Larry and Josh working on the Asian Village

For the past few months a group of men have been working hard at designing and building our newest addition to our U.S. Base Campus, our Asian Village Training Center. Two of these men, Larry and Josh Stevens (father and son) are both custom home builders and have grabbed hold of the vision that the Lord has placed in their hearts to reach the nations using the gifts that God has given them. We are so thankful to have these men as critical members of this crew as they not only have the skills needed to construct such a project but also they both grasp why School to the Nations exists.

The Stevens Family

In their free time, Josh enjoys bow hunting and is a competitive bow shooter while Larry enjoys fishing and boating. When asked why enjoy serving for STN they said, "We have a heart to see people come to Jesus and we both want to make a greater impact with our gifts...to serve with our building skills to help reach the nations for Christ." Pictured on the left with Larry's wife Melody, and both sons (Josh and Jared) the Stevens are members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO and live in Republic, MO. 

Proverbs 22:29 says, "Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? He will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons." These two men are experts in their business and are using all that they have to help future mission teams prepare to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Thank you Larry and Josh for your commitment to Christ's calling and for using your gifts to reach to the ends of the earth!

Stories from the Field: Seed, Sower, & Harvest

This post comes from a personal interview with an STN Outreach Team Member. 

Chris* and Mr. A struck up a conversation during a going-away party for Chris's team, who had spent their time in Asia working with students of all ages who wanted to learn English as a second language. This program, put into place by long-term missionaries, provided Mr. A with his first chance to hear the name of Jesus and plant the seed of salvation in his heart.

Mr. A lost his wife in a car accident several years ago, and his children are grown and some live in the U.S.. Like so many others in this particular Asian country, Mr. A's heart was wrapped up in Buddhism, hopelessness, and loneliness. Because the seed had been planted by the career missionaries, Chris nurtured it as he went to a deeper level in his communication with Mr. A that evening and for months over email after Chris returned home. Through their time of continued communication, Mr. A found that he clearly understood the purpose of Christ's death: the grace, mercy, hope, and freedom that he had never known came into view.  The Gospel showed Mr. A that he could not only have peace in this life but that he also has an eternal purpose.

 Through this time of personal discipleship, Mr. A finally surrendered to the hope and encouragement he had experienced. He surrendered to Christ. Mr. A is so full of joy, and he shares his new faith with his family. We share this harvest with those career missionaries, who planted the seed, and the local churches that will continue to disciple people like Mr. A. We share it with those who write literature and create films like the Jesus Film. We also share it with you, our partners and donors, who continually support efforts to bring the children of Christ back into His Kingdom. We thank you, and we know that we will all rejoice together in Heaven!

 ^"But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, 'Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.'" 1st Corinthians 1:30 & 31







*Name changed to maintain security and protection of our School to the Nations team member