Facts About the Program

1. When and how did the program get started?
It began in 1995, led by Jim Gayle, former Minister of Missions for our church.

2. What is the purpose of the program?
The program brings church members together with international students. The church family is a friend to the student while the student is here.

3. Who participates?
Any church member, single or married. Couples usually work together.

4. What is involved; what do people do?
Host or friendship families get to know the students; have or take them to dinner; bring them to church at least for special programs; show them the area and how American Christian families live. Do anything that interests you and the students. There are a lot of possibilities.

5. How often do we see the students?
The suggestion is at least once per month. There is a lot of variation, however, in both student and family schedules, so each relationship has its own pattern.

6. What are the limitations?
This is not an adoption program nor a live-in program. It is a friendship program. Host or friendship families are not to become involved in students' problems which are legal, personal, financial, immigration of the like. The universities have International Student Offices to help them.

7. Is the International Friendship Program Evangelistic?
Some of the Internationals are Christian, but many are not. We believe in becoming friends first, but we do show the love and care of Jesus for these "strangers in a strange land". We undertake to inform the students of our faith and to respect their integrity as individuals. There have been many conversions and a lot of seed sown.