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“‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you a stranger and invite you in?’ ... The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” — Matthew 25:35-40

Over 900,000 international students will attend U.S. universities this year. They are strangers in a foreign land, experiencing separation from friends and family and the challenge of navigating a different culture and language. Fortunately, International Students Incorporated (ISI) is there to help them get settled at over 900 university campuses across the U.S.

MCC teams with the local ISI chapter serving the University of New Mexico. It is part of our strategy for accomplishing cross-cultural missions right here in our own community. Working with ISI we are able to expose international students to the gospel as well as disciple those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord. Many of these students return home to influential careers, as well as the opportunity to have influence for the gospel.

Welcoming the stranger takes many forms. At UNM alone, ISI has served hundreds of international students through:

• Airport pick-ups for 95 students
• Temporary homestays for 85 students
• Furniture for 480 students
• Friendship partners for 85 students
• Hiking and sightseeing trips for 77 students
• Serving 1,750 lunches at the Welcome Center
• Three home groups meeting weekly
• Forty students attending Bible studies
• Fifteen students being discipled

More important than the statistics is the lasting impact that the welcoming of international students is having. One student started going to church with her host family and after several months made a profession of faith and was baptized. She was discipled for several months before she returned home to Germany. She is now leading a Bible study with six high school age girls, teaching them the truths she learned during her time in the U.S. Another student was introduced to Jesus through his friend who was an ISI volunteer at the English Corner. The student and friend met together regularly and often went grocery shopping. After a short while, the student announced he wanted to follow Jesus. He is now being discipled before he returns home in December. Beyond these two, three other students made a decision to follow Jesus this year through the efforts of ISI.

With ISI we have a unique opportunity to do cross-cultural ministry right in Albuquerque. If you are looking for a new opportunity to serve, there are a lot of different ways to get involved with ISI. If you are interested in helping or want more information contact Vince Tidwell at (505) 413-2647.