This is part 3 of the Reaching Internationals series.
If you want to reach internationals, refugees, and other foreigners who live near you, you’ll need a few strategies to help you take practical steps to do it right.
Challenges
There are a few up-front challenges when it comes to reaching internationals. One of them is that many internationals assume the US is a “Christian nation.” When they get here, they find out that’s anything but true. While the US has a Christian cultural heritage, these days the US has swayed very far from those roots. This is a shock to many internationals, who often find themselves the victims of shady, amoral people looking to take advantage of them. This can be a disheartening, frightening experience for them, and may create barriers to trust you will have to hurdle.
What Can We Do?
Being invitational is crucial to reaching internationals, and make sure you maintain integrity while doing it! Be clear about church events, and be willing to invite them to things other than church events. Holidays are especially helpful but don’t shy away from just being generally hospitable by inviting them over to eat any night of the week. No matter what, be a true friend and neighbor to them in all circumstances.
ESL Events
English as a Second Language (ESL) events are a great way to reach out to internationals. Many of them are eager to learn English from native speakers, and what better way to build relationships than to help them with this practical need?
It’s Not a One-Person Show
If you are seeking to develop strategies for reaching internationals more broadly through a church or ministry, it’s vital to get the help of volunteers. Tap into local resources, like church pastors or those with mission experience, to find people who have an interest in disciple-making among internationals here at home.
A largely untapped resource for this kind of work is seniors. They often have plenty of time and resources to help, and in our culture, seniors are sadly set aside in our obsession with worshiping the idol of youth. But in many other cultures in the world, seniors are valued and honored for their wisdom and stories. Often, internationals are very interested in building relationships with seniors in our culture.
All of this comes down to a long-term view of reaching internationals. Gimmicks and tricks aren’t the answer. You must be willing to invest in internationals long-term if you want to see the fruit of faith. Ministry to internationals has proven time and again to be one of the most rewarding ministries a Christian can perform.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What are some challenges you think foreigners, refugees, and others might face in adapting to your culture?
- Why is it so important to have integrity in your relationships with internationals?
- What are some practical things you personally can do to reach internationals? What about your church or a ministry you’re involved with?
- Is your church or ministry capable of hosting a regular ESL event? Explain the benefits and drawbacks of trying to start such a ministry.
- Read Luke 10:2. Who can you begin praying for and recruiting for ministry to internationals?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This content is adapted from Without a Passport: Reaching the Global Community Living in Our Community by D.H. Bud Fuchs. Written content for this topic by Daniel Martin.
