Campus Ministry Connection

Campus Ministry Becomes International

Several years ago after much prayer and soul searching Holston Presbytery's Campus Ministry Committee realized a need for a ministry with the 300 international students at East Tennessee State University. After many months of struggle and searching both the money and the right person came together, and Adam Suter was hired as the Student Intern with international ministry as part of in his job description. At the end of his year Adam pointed out that we needed an additional Student Intern for the international ministry, and that this ministry would take on a "social work" aspect. We did and it did.

The ministry began as International Night when on Friday nights a few students gathered for supper, followed by a time of fellowship. Now it is known as ISF (International Student Fellowship) which still meets on Friday nights and includes 45 active students. Beyond Friday night, ISF occasionally will:

• go on outings such as picnics, hikes and trips;
• participate in mission trips either with the Presbyterian Student Fellowship (PSF) or on their own, such as their trip this summer to New York city to work with the homeless;
• lead worship for our churches;
• participate in clean up days at the campus house;
• and, join in the "American" student activities.

However, on the social work side we have become even more involved in the lives of our students. In working with ETSU we have found that some students estimate their funding incorrectly before coming to America, and so we have helped them manage their money; adjust to our way of life as they realize their need for such things as cell phones, cars and apartments; and we have helped students who, after coming to our country, have experienced serious health problems, language difficulties, death of family members back home and legal crises.

Our ministry with internationals from such countries as China , Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and South Korea is best illustrated with the story of Gopal (Paul) Chilakamarri from India.

I first met Paul when Adam asked that I drive him to a car lot where he had just purchased a car for $700. Just before getting to the lot I thought to ask him about car insurance — he hadn't thought about that but didn't think he would need it on such an old car. Then I asked about a driver's license. He said in India they just paid the police a little bit of money and so he didn't think he would need that either. I then thought I'd ask if he had ever driven a car — he had, once or twice. In spite of my warnings we tried to pick up the car, but found that he needed proof of insurance and a valid driver's license. So we paid for the car, but had to leave it on the lot. This resulted in my teaching Paul to drive, helping him get insurance and a driver's license. That experience was nerve racking for both me and my car.

When Paul needed a cheaper place to live, we hired him as the Resident Advisor for the campus house. Because we hire only Christians, and Paul was a Hindu, it took a special meeting of the Campus Ministry Committee to make this happen. We decided that even though he did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ he certainly was a very loving person admired by both the international and American students. Paul was not the first non-Christian student to join our fellowship. We do not alter our message for Hindus, Buddhists or others; but neither do we try to get them into our way of believing — we just simply share our faith in word and deed. Just after graduation, and before leaving for a teaching position in Maryland, Paul asked me to lunch. There he announced that he had evolved into a Christian and now believes in Jesus Christ as his savior and lord. I asked him what helped him in this journey, and he answered that in his life experiences it was the Christians who seem to sincerely love one another, and so felt that there must be something more than logic in these relationships. With that we began searching for a church in his new location.

Jim Kirkpatrick
Director of Campus/Youth Ministry
Holston Presbytery

Fifi Saba from the Gaza Strip the first time she ever
put her hands on a steering wheel. In September 2006
she got her driver’s license.

Paul Chilakamarri (India) driving a pontoon boat for
the first time. Doesn’t he look like a race driver?

Four students on the New York mission trip. They are
from America, Ecuador, Cameroon and China.

Clarisse Mbangha (from Cameroon and who had heart
surgery two weeks after arriving alone in America)
celebrates with Rachel Atchely of Knoxville, TN

Part of the group during “Dress-up Night”

Katya Ivanova from Bulgaria, our 2005-06 Student
Intern for International Ministry, helping to celebrate
a birthday.

Enni Fomumbod (Cameroon) while on the Katrina
Mission trip to Gulfport, MS. She said she went to give
back and to get to know Americans.

Josiah Halberg (American) and David Essaka (Africa)
preparing a meal during the Ivan Mission trip to
Pensacola, FL

David Essaka helps during the Ivan Mission trip to
Pensacola, FL