Every year there are hundreds and hundreds of students who come from around the world to study at universities in the Fort Wayne area. For instance, recent international student population at Fort Wayne universities was (approx.):
· IPFW 259
· Indiana Tech 400
· IVY Tech 40
· ELS Language Center 32
· The Language Center 25
Reach Them
Our plan is to reach out to these students in order to bring the Gospel to and make disciples of these international students. After spending 17 years on the mission field in a closed country we know that one important key to reach international people is through friendship evangelism. This gives opportunity to invite them into our life and live the Christian life before them, rather than only inviting them to an event in a church building.
Disciple Them
Coming to know the Lord is just the beginning. Young disciples need to be grounded in God’s Word and develop an intimate relationship with God. Part of being a fully devoted follower of Christ is taught but part of it can only be caught. Disciple making can never be restrained to a classroom, it must be part of everyday living. As students commit their lives to the Lord, discipleship will happen through teaching and modeling for them how to live out their faith in the nitty gritty everyday dynamics of life.
Equip Them
Beyond discipleship, there is another level of learning that is very needful for international students. Something that we as believers in the U.S. or numerous other places will not face if we are not coming to faith in one culture and then returning to another culture (which is possibly hostile to the Gospel). It is critical that the students be prepared to continue steadfastly in their faith, as well as to minister to others in their home country, no matter what that environment may be. Our experience of working in a closed country has prepared us to equip these students to return to their homeland. Our experience has shown us that, often, without intentional training, this will not happen.
Opportunity For Impact
The opportunity to impact numerous nations of the world through reaching influential international students lies before us. We hope to be a tool in God’s hand to help them prepare to multiply their faith among their own countrymen with the Good News and see a ripple effect of the Gospel going forth in hard to reach areas of the world. They will only be here for a few years before returning to their homeland, so we want to take advantage of the time that they are here. Perhaps you would consider partnering with us to make this happen. If you want to discuss this call Chris Delong at 260-242-3975.
If you would like to partner with us financially you can send gifts to our home office (and they will send you a tax deductible receipt):
World Outreach Ministries
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
Designate financial gifts for Chris and Wendy DeLong: Fund Code #86.
You can also go to their website www.WorldOutreach.org/donations and donate on-line.