This last weekend, ISI DFW hosted its annual training for international student leaders. As one of our goals is to mobilize student to become leaders when they go home, we have two training days every year toward that end. This year we did something a little different. We invite key volunteers. We shared some of the themes that God has been especially placing on our hearts this year. International Student ministry is changing in leaps and bounds and we feel the need to develop a strategy, vision, values and mission in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that is focused enough to keep us on track but flexible enough to adapt with the changes.

We have an incredible team with deep passions and incredible abilities. Each of our team members shared things that were most on their hearts as we followed the ministry values we identified as essential in international student ministry (see picture on left).  Here is a sampling of the topics: “Prayer and Trusting God: Who’s Ministry is it Anyway?” – Ron Bunyard & Derrah Jackson, ” The Power of Loving People Well” – Jeff Anthony & Roy, “Passing it On: Discipleship and passing on the the Vision” – Ray Cotton, “Innovation in Touching Lives: The Product of Grace Enabled Spirit Powered Teamwork”  – Roy. As you you can see, the focus was on fundamentals of international student ministry but we also made an emphasis on innovation but around the core. Our long term vision it to see every international student have the opportunity to taste the love of Christ in some way through interaction with the Body in some way.

There were close to thirty people involved and we heard some great comments and no doubt some of us had our best presentations ever. Probably because it was from our hearts.  It was Holy Spirit driven and I suspect we will hear God work through this.

If you want a copy of the audio or slides/handouts for this, please contact me and I can send you a link to them.

Tagged Leadership, students partners, Training