Summer Invitation Series: Remember international students

For this week’s summer invitation, we’re inviting you to remember international students.

Fall is coming and many of us have already seen our local store’s shelves switch over to fresh pencils and pens. Did you know that Canada is the world third-leading destination for International students? By 2022, it’s estimated that our country will be home to 1 million international students.

We love the story of a New Venture called Catalyst in Halifax, NS. God drew a local couple into the lives of local students to make a powerful impact for Jesus. Compelled by the need for the students they were meeting to have their own Bibles to read, they began wrapping Bibles in beautiful paper to hand out. Out of their ministry, there is now a Bible distribution fund that exists to put Bibles in the hands of people across the country who need to hear the message of Jesus in their heart language.

We encourage you to read some the story of Catalyst, or learn more about the Bible distribution project today! Then, consider praying about international students that may be closeby. Ask Jesus to expand your imagination on what it might mean to be a friendly presence for new students coming to Canada.

Need some more inspiration? Here’s a helpful tip sheet on how to start conversations with international students from Intervarsity.

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Welcome to summer invitations. As we disengage from formal ministry commitments, summer can be a time to build a reading list, seek new voices, and be refreshed. Especially as pandemic restrictions lift, our heart is to help you get out there and rediscover Canada as we continue in our mission of hopeful engagement with the church and our Canadian context. Each week we will be sharing a simple summer invitation to help you see Canada in a fresh way.

Encouraged by this prompt? Learn more about leaders who are dreaming of new things across Canada and find a New Venture to support.