Reaching out internationally…at home
At Michigan State University (MSU) and Lansing Community College (LCC) the campus ministry program is making a big impact. By utilizing the approach of friendship evangelism, lay worker Doug Tabor reaches out to international students with English classes. Tabor started teaching one class on the weekends, helping the students with pronunciation, sentence structure and 
conversational English at the campus ministry center. With support from Kingdom Workers, Tabor was able to add additional classes during the week to reach more people. “The English classes are bridges used to connect the students and their families to worship and Bible studies,” says Pastor Mark Eckert, who serves as part-time campus pastor in addition to his full-time call at Eaton Rapids, MI. “They are very open to hearing about Christianity and eager to learn about God’s Word.”
Because many of the doctorate and post doctorate international students are sent to the United States for further education by their businesses, often times they bring their families with them. Through the offering of more classes during the week, campus ministry has been able to develop close friendships and minister to the wives and children of the students too. They have a women’s Bible study, offer child care, teach vacation Bible school, run Christmas and Easter for kids programs, along with Bible information classes and worship services.
Operating out of rented facilities, when finances became available through the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) Campus Ministry Committee and the WELS Church Extension Fund in December of 2011, this campus ministry program was able to purchase their own building. It consists of a chapel, offices, meeting rooms, recreational areas, and even a kitchen. “We make use of the building all the time,” laughs Tabor who routinely plans not only ministry programs but also recreational outings for the internationals. “We’re like an extended family. We do everything together.” They’ve gone to apple orchards and strawberry picking with Tabor teaching them how to make apple pies and fresh strawberry jam afterward in the ministry center kitchen.
International students aren’t the only ones making use of the ministry center. Domestic students are also a big part of the campus ministry effort. Unfortunately attendance by the domestic students has dropped significantly this year. This is due in large part to the difficulties of contacting students. Eckert stresses the importance that families talk to their college-bound kids about staying connected to Jesus during these years as well as share contact information with campus pastors before sending kids off to college.
The most rewarding part of this ministry for Tabor is how it affects him personally. “For Kingdom Workers to allow me the opportunity to minister to these people is such a blessing for them and for me. I recently heard from a former international student that studied here five years ago. I’m happy to report he is still attending church services regularly at the Lutheran church in Korea.” Outcomes like this make all the time and effort worthwhile.
