International Student Ministry Special Support Drive

Thank you for visiting our Give MN page. We thank all those who have donated IN support of our ministry on this Website in the past and we hope that you will support us again.  A MATCHING GIFT UP TO $3,000 IS AVAILABLE TO DOUBLE YOUR DONATION.If you are new to International Student Ministry (ISM) or are returning to our page, please read our story below for information about the Ministry outreach we do and the personal story of a Kenyan student family who spent 4 years as part of our Stadium Village Church family. 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MINISTRY OUTREACH

Barbara and Niran Fadirepo reach out to and mobilize others to befriend, assist and support the many International Students, Scholars and their Families that God sends to the Twin Cities. Barbara directs and coordinates the International Student Ministry (ISM) Outreach to International Students, Scholars and Families at Stadium Village Church and partnering organizations Connexions International (CXI) and African Christian Fellowship (ACF) on the campus of the University of MN. Those we come into relationship with through English classes, Hospitality, Special programs and activities, Spiritual Conversations, Bible Studies and Discipleship are on a continuum of faith journeys from belief in other religions, no knowledge about or faith in God to mature Christians seeking to live out God’s plan for their lives. The latter seek fellowship, while pursuing rigorous programs of study or research and some are being mentored to become “redemptive change agents” used by God to bring positive societal change through their work and profession.  Life happens as they pursue their educational goals and unexpected circumstances occur that require the practical, emotional and spiritual support of ministry workers who love, encourage and assist them through challenges, during their academic sojourn here in Minnesota.

A KENYAN STUDENT FAMILY EXPERIENCE

Take M for example, in the picture with Barbara, his family and friends from Kenya on the day he received his Doctoral Degree. Barbara came (as she does to most graduations, presentations and defenses invited to) to rejoice with them! She knew from family visits, times of sharing and prayer what he had passed through before reaching this goal. He started his PhD program in the International Center for the Study of Global Change focusing on Monitoring and Evaluation in the College of Education and Human Development. Upon arrival, he sought fellowship, a church family and joined Stadium Village Church, and was an Officer in our CXI’s Student organization and member of Barbara’s Discipleship class. 

As with many African Students the challenges begin right away on arrival…searching for accommodation, basic household needs, furniture, food that satisfies, winter clothing and accessories, all while getting use to MN/American culture, enrolling and completing administrative requirements and starting classes and work.  M also was preparing for his wife’s arrival who was expecting their first child. African students who come to MN without resident relatives are usually isolated and alone, as there is no known network to plug into before arrival, as exists for students and scholars from some Asian Countries. Maintaining long distance family relationships is another challenge. When M’s wife arrived, she attended Barbara’s International Women’s Bible Study at CXI House. 

Before their son was born, SVC was the family who gave a baby shower for them and were there to assist with the family needs. After returning home with the baby to resume her job, a developmental delay and heart problem required their return to the U.S for heart surgery for their young son. In the midst of this dangerous medical procedure, recovery and extended time of therapy, SVC church family and volunteers encouraged and supported the family with both spiritual and physical food.   M’s wife also graciously opened her home in the student family housing so other International Women could share in friendship, fellowship, and be supported physically, emotionally and spiritually.  M gave birth to their second child, a girl. 

In all of this, M and his wife stood strong spiritually with SVC support while he still proceeded in his doctoral studies, dissertation, defense and job search. During his education, despite the family challenges, GOD provided M paid research positions, medical insurance and work opportunities during school and summer breaks which paid for travel to visit the family. Before departing, the family encouraged our SVC family greatly to continue our ISM work by their testimony of gratitude to God for HIS faithfulness as M had obtained an influential international position as the first Africa based Regional Manager, Global Research, Monitoring & Evaluation for Room to Read, overseeing evaluation and improvement of Reading Standards in Elementary schools in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Africa!