A few weeks ago CO Minneapolis campuses came together for the first World Prayer Wednesday. Staff and students sign in to Zoom to pray for Bethlehem Global Partners, international students, and various unreached nations. My heart has been stirred as we remember that God’s desire has always been for all nations to come to the knowledge of the truth of what Jesus has done. God does something incredible when praying with other believers-knitting our hearts together and revealing more of His heart in the process. This time has been both encouraging and challenging for me.
Despite the pandemic, two International students have become Christians!
Many international students have had to fly home because of COVID-19. This has been a lonely time and caused them to reach out to staff more. Uncertainty and confusion have led people to ask more questions about faith, suffering, and life after death. Steve*, an international student from East Asia, asked to study the bible with a staff member every day. After a few bible studies, this man professed faith in Jesus. Our staff have also held an investigative bible study with international students over Zoom and Don* came to faith a couple of weeks ago. God is moving in big ways throughout this pandemic!
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” —Habakkuk 1:5
God has been challenging me in my personal ministry as well. I have been able to study the bible virtually with a new believer from East Asia. She grew up in an atheist home with zero background of Christianity but became a believer earlier in the semester. In our discussion this week we both had tears in our eyes considering brothers and sisters in Asia who are daily persecuted for their faith. There are millions of people who do not hear the truth of the gospel proclaimed. I felt challenged to pray more faithfully for other nations.
As I was reflecting on our conversation, I am extremely blessed to be able to talk so openly about my faith, have regular FaceTimes and Zoom meetings studying the bible. I don’t fear being overheard or any consequences of my actions. I am reminded of God’s grace to us in the United States. We have a freedom that many countries do not have. In other nations, people meet in secret and are imprisoned for their faith. This is not a luxury that the rest of the world enjoys. Yet I don’t feel ashamed. What a gift! God is using technology and these freedoms to draw more and more people into a relationship with Him. This reality draws me to the throne room, interceding on behalf of other nations. God’s plan is to draw a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language to worship him (Revelation 7:9). He will surely do it!
“And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” —Daniel 7:14
Brittany Sheehy
Campus Outreach Minneapolis
U of M Campus Staff
*Names changed to protect identity.