Reaching Future Leaders through Word and Deed
By Dana RyanIn August 2006, International Bible Church (IBC) in Tempe, Arizona, USA, held its first official service. Twelve of us met in Quo Vadis, a Christian bookstore located a stone’s throw from Arizona State University (ASU). Our goal was, and still is, to reach the world’s future leaders.
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The neighborhood surrounding the bookstore, where our church continues to meet every Sunday, was deemed by the 2000 U.S. Census as the most densely populated and most diverse in Arizona. The area covers only about one-eighth of a square mile, but is home to more than 3,100 residents which is equivalent to about 26,000 people per square mile—a population density comparable to that of New York City. Within the small area there is a broad range of ethnicities. Our church mirrors the neighborhood, with more than fifteen nations represented in our group of about forty to fifty people.
Many of the international students who study at Arizona State University are among the brightest and best from their respective countries. Some return home to hold powerful positions of influence in corporations, universities, or government. The leadership of IBC aims to communicate God’s transforming gospel to the next generation of leaders so that they will use their influence to bring God’s message to their home nations.
Most of the international students who attend IBC are graduate students with demanding academic schedules and rigorous study habits. They enjoy learning, discussing, and investigating. Some even view attendance at our church as a mere cultural experience—a pleasant augmentation to their American education. The challenge, then, is to communicate the gospel in a way that leads to transformation rather than just the addition of more head knowledge. But how can this be done with such gifted and highly trained intellectuals? How can the church leadership help make that connection between the mind and the heart?
The Inquisitiveness of Weimin
I still remember how excited our core group of believers was when Weimin,* a student from China, said, “China needs this,” after listening to a message about God’s love and the importance of treating all peoples with respect. One day Weimin observed that people in China didn’t care for one another. If they did, the whole nation would be transformed. The next day, Weimin took part in a square dancing event hosted by one of ASU’s Christian student organizations. Also in attendance was a group of pilots-in-training from China. When Weimin heard about the pilots, he seemed intrigued. After the event, my husband asked Weimin if he had talked with any of the pilots and Weimin responded, saying, “To be honest, they’re not very educated so I don’t really have any interest in talking with them.” The message of God’s love still had not penetrated Weimin's heart.
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Dana Ryan, a freelance writer, is part of International Bible Church and volunteers with International Students Incorporated in Tempe, Arizona. |
