Every year around Christmas, Lynn Bryant, the director of the International Student Ministry at Athens FUMC, puts together a report measuring ISM's activity throughout the year. The report is important for logistical reasons, but it also exciting to see what the Lord has done through numbers! Here are her findings for 2011:
Total number of individual international students and scholars who participated in ISM events: 455
Total number of nationalities who participated in events at our church this year: 38
Afghanistan, Germany, Nigeria, Armenia, Greece, Pakistan, Bahamas, Hong Kong, Saint Lucia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Indonesia, Taiwan, Bosnia, Iran, Tunisia, Brazil, Iraq, Turkey, China, Ireland, Uganda, Costa Rica, Italy, Ukraine, Ecuador, Japan, United States, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, England, Korea (South), Zambia, France, Kyrgyzstan
Number of Muslim students/scholars who attended events at our church this year: 32
Percentage of international students/scholars attending events at church who were from hostile or closed country: 86%
Percentage of international students/scholars attending events at church who were from 10/40 Window: 91%
Total number of international students/scholars associated with our ISM who made public professions of faith: 3 (!)
Total number of Christian international students/scholars who were discipled: 39
Total number of volunteers who participated in the ministry: 92 AFUMC members, 74 Wesley students
There were 103 international students (64 seekers and 39 Christians) who attended Bible study
classes at the church throughout the year.
There were 184 international students and American Christian volunteers who participated in
our International Friendship Program this past year. (This is a 33% increase from last year!)
International Events held this year:
Snack & Chat: Puzzle Party in Hancock Hall
“Gone With the Wind” at Blue Willow Inn and Southern Mansion Tour
Snack & Chat: Valentine Dinner and Dance in Hancock Hall
Gold Mine Trip to Dahlonega
Snack & Chat: Fiesta Party in Hancock Hall
Savannah Retreat Weekend with Skidaway Island UMC
Snack & Chat: Good Friday Dinner & Movie in Hancock Hall
Trip to Independence Day Parade and Picnic
New Student Airport Pickup and Overnight Lodging at the Church
International Student Life New Student Luncheon on Campus
Trip to Stone Mountain Laser Show for New Students
Snack & Chat: Welcome Back Party in Hancock Hall
Gold Mine Trip to Dahlonega for Labor Day
Snack & Chat: Dinner at church & Scavenger Hunt downtown
Snack & Chat: Pumpkin Carving & Costume Party in Hancock Hall
Trip to Helen, Anna Ruby Falls, and North Georgia Corn Maze
Snack & Chat: Cake Walk
ISM/International Student Life Thanksgiving Dinner in Hancock Hall
Snack & Chat: Christmas Dinner & Tree Trimming Party in Hancock HallPractical Assistance Provided to Students Throughout the Year:
Overnight lodging for students.
Transportation around town.
Spiritual direction during times of personal crisis.
Took students to lunch throughout the year.
Helped students to find new ISMs and churches in cities where they were moving
I hope that this was as encouraging to you as it was to me. God is doing big things in Athens, not only in the present, but also for the future! I believe that every international student who has ever enjoyed being at our events, visited the Bible study, or had a Friendship Partner is already going to carry a deeper understanding of who God is with them when they go home. In that way, we are able to touch the nations from UGA!
Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and support - this year would not have been possible without you. I pray that you will have a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy New Year! I start back up with ISM on January 13th, so expect another post from me in January.
Merry Christmas!
Jessica
