Category: Partner Stories

 Volunteer loves sharing Jesus with internationals 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes…” (Romans 1:16)

There’s a dream that we’ve all had before: the fence surrounding the yard, the kids playing with the dog, and the sense that everything is just right in our corners of the world. As it turns out, even with those aesthetics, the reality doesn’t always meet expectations.

“I grew up right around here in Pickerington, Ohio. I moved here when I was like eight or nine. [I] didn’t grow up in a Christian home or a church environment or much of that. Being in the suburbs, I had a lot of things provided, but spent a lot of time not exactly knowing what the future would hold, and what other people thought of me.”

Chris Lady, a key volunteer with IFI, struggled with low self-esteem and self worth throughout his adolescence. He grew up in a broken home, with parents that weren’t typically present. But God had a plan.

“One of my friends invited me to something called Young Life: a ministry to high school students. It’s a lot of fun, games, and adventure –  all in the effort to accurately show high schoolers the love of God through the person of Jesus. There was a college student who spent a lot of his time in Pickerington with people like me, and loved me so much to share the Gospel with me, and walk with me through the doubts and just not knowing what I didn’t know.”

Chris didn’t stop there. Spending extensive time in Bible studies and reviewing Christian literature, Chris kept asking questions and searching for answers. Eventually, he came to a conclusion: “If this is true, this is the greatest news of all time. And if it’s not true, it’s the greatest lie ever told. So it’s nothing really in between.”

But he wanted to know for sure. He wanted to have confidence that there is a heavenly Father that cares for him and gives him far more than he could ever deserve. So he asked for Jesus; and then he saw Him work. Jesus removed a heart full of self pity and sadness, and gave Chris the capacity to care for others.

“Once I experienced the love of God, much of my life then became about sharing this love with others.”

God provided Chris more opportunities to share this love, even in his professional life. After graduating with a degree in Mathematics, Chris moved to Atlanta to work for a corporation as an IT tech. He loved the work, but he noticed something special about the workplace.

“Every single person around me is an international. I didn’t know these people even existed. I got lunch with people and heard about the politics of India, Pakistan and all these different places. The really cool added bonus is that it seemed to just open up relationships and conversations with people that I would normally never cross paths with.”

Moving back to Ohio, Chris began leading a small team for a different company, developing his relationship building skills. Chris also continued to volunteer with Young Life, hoping to help more people develop a relationship with Christ. Then God put two and two together, expanding Chris’ view of His dream.

“The more I started reading in the Bible, the whole thing, it just started to jump out at me: God cares about the whole world. God has always been about the nations. I didn’t need someone to tell me that. He’s telling me this; I can’t escape it.”

After showing Chris the nations, God led him to International Friendships.

“I get to this potluck and it’s the United Nations all under one roof. So that’s kind of where I got exposed and got to meet some really cool people. I started praying and asking God: ‘alright, is this the field that you want me to serve you in? Lord, what do you want?’ And He just began making that more and more clear that this is the space that He wanted me in.”

So Chris jumped in. He began volunteering with IFI, helping at events, hosting students and participating in Bible discussion groups. Chris then began to recognize a calling to develop relationships with Hindu students and walk with them through an exploration of who Jesus is. All the while, Chris found that his own faith, trust, and love for God was growing with each day.

“I will become loud and ineffective very quickly without a real personal relationship with Jesus. So I think that’s one of the tangential fruits: it’s caused me to need to cling closely to Jesus because this ministry will regularly put me in places where my words, my expertise just don’t mean that much. We are always learning how to just walk by faith. We just say yes, and God often works it out.”

With a yes, Chris’ life changed forever, with a new heart pulling him closer to Jesus. That’s the power of the Gospel. Chris has a new dream too: to offer the opportunity for as many internationals as he can to reply to Jesus with their own yes. He’s just happy he gets to see it come true with IFI. 

“I think when we know that Jesus is that good and His purpose and commission is that worthy of our lives, then it’s just a question of how, not if. If it is through IFI, congrats, because this is the best kept secret in the whole city.”

Campus Minister and Key Volunteer make room for displaced student

It seems like every day, both in ministry and life, opportunities come unexpectedly.

Some of them benefit us immediately; most take time to reveal the rewards. Nonetheless, the opportunity will never show its worth, unless we decide to seize it, and stick with it. Take it from one of IFI’s Campus Ministers and a Key Volunteer who worked together to help a student who contracted COVID-19 and was in crucial need of friends: 

Open the Door

Carter: James & I got to go to the Vision Conference together, where we got to connect and hear a little bit of each other’s stories. Truthfully, I didn’t get to spend the most time with James. But obviously, we had some good conversations while we were at the conference. 

Jay: After we got back from the Vision conference, a bunch of students tested positive for COVID-19. So I was just texting all the students who had it and checking in, seeing how they were doing. I texted James and he said, “My roommates want me to move out.” That seemed concerning. So I asked what he was doing about it and he said that he had contacted OSU to see if they had any quarantine housing available that he can move into. At the time I didn’t know how bad it was. His roommates were super scared about him having COVID-19 and wanted him to move out as soon as possible. One of his roommates even told him that if she got it from him, she would drop out of school and he would be responsible for paying her tuition for that semester…she saw him as being responsible for his getting COVID-19, and made him responsible for any consequences that resulted.

Carter: He was essentially kicked out of his apartment to start the year. I think going to a conference and hearing about the love of God, the acceptance and purpose that we have in Him, and then coming home and being told by the people that you live with that you can’t live there…it had to be really difficult.

Jay: And then after I had that conversation with James, Carter just happened to call me. He was saying, since he had had COVID-19 recently, he wanted to get together with all the students who had it and have some sort of Bible study fellowship with them because he just felt like it was a good time to capitalize on the momentum that we’d had spiritually.  He also mentioned having room to host somebody…It occurred to me to mention James’ situation to him and to ask “would you be willing to host him?”

Carter: I realized I had already gotten COVID-19. My roommates: one currently had COVID-19, and the other we believe already had it. And we made an agreement as a house to say, “Yeah, we can do this if the alternative is James being forced to find a crappy Airbnb, or a hotel room or something. This just makes sense.” So it wasn’t a hard decision on our end. It was just a matter of talking to James and figuring out a situation, then just saying that you’re welcome to come and stay with us. I think the decision was made in a couple days. It wasn’t something where there was a lot of time to really go back and forth on it. I was grateful to be in a place to respond.

Face the Challenges

Jay: So that was, I think, the week that school started this semester. But at that point, it’s still a pretty light workload…James had to stay at home and do all of his classes online. So he didn’t have a ton to do and Chris didn’t feel he could always be available to entertain him or to host him. He was feeling a little maxed out. 

Carter: I just started a new job. It was the beginning of the year. It wasn’t a slow week for me. So a lot of it was realizing where we’re just jumping into the deep end. I think it was a lot at once for James also: having to take your whole life somewhere else for a week and a half. But initially, we’re just not connecting. It just seemed like conversation wasn’t there. After a few days I was personally getting a little frustrated, like, “Oh, man, I just want my house back.” But we sat down at this Chinese restaurant, bought some food and ended up talking for the better part of three hours. Walls just started coming down. We shared stories about family, past relationships, hurts, challenges, and dreams. 

Jay: That week, a bunch of different people went over to Carter’s place and hung out. We brought food and we showed our support. James was engaged in spiritual conversations by so many different people. We got to hear more about the backstory with his roommates and that’s how we found out that they had reacted quite negatively and that he had been really hurt by that. He considered these roommates his friends before, but the way they responded was not loving at all. We wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and share with him – really model Christ’s love for him and the church in action. This is what it looks like to be the family of Christ: right here for each other. We support each other. Then Carter would periodically let me know updates of what they had talked about. 

Find the Common Ground

Carter: He’s in the world of technology, and I’m in the world with technology. So he was showing me some of these coding projects he’s working on. And we were enjoying that and just bonding over the fun work stuff. And then also getting to hear the ins and outs of family life growing up in China was really, really good. Then our conversation just started taking a more spiritual turn. We really got to have a good dialogue about who he thinks God is; which some people say is the most important thing about you. We got to talk a lot about who Jesus is in the Bible, and what he came to do, and the kind of relationship a follower of Jesus can expect to have.

Jay: I think Carter was really encouraged and spurred on by the conversations that they were having. He mentioned that he got to, I think over video, meet James’ parents, and they were just glad to hear that their son had somewhere to stay.  He was making the most of every opportunity to speak truth into James’ life. I think James also got to see Carter and his roommates resolve conflict and basically got to see a faith lived out among this household.

Carter: It wasn’t like I’m this doctor diagnosing everything. It was really just James and I both opening up about our lives. It’s cool how God uses our stories of the challenges in our lives, and the brokenness we’ve experienced to draw others to Him. James also got to hear the gospel from A-Z: this is the way to know the God that made you, and this is what it takes to respond to what He’s done. Any time the gospel gets shared it’s a great thing.  

Jay: We had a conversation with James about the existence of God. We both saw him staying with Carter as an opportunity provided by God.  I just happened to find out that his roommates wanted him to move out, and then Carter just happened to call me. Right? We saw that as something so clearly orchestrated by divine power and not by human power. This is God clearly working and providing for you. So it kind of became a testimony in that way. 

Cherish the Rewards

Carter: I think God’s in the business of showing his people who He actually is. So even stuff like this… I was just very reminded of God’s sovereignty to act in all situations. This was a funny thing to be thrown into, but no part of it was above God. He was in control the whole time. 

Jay: I was just praying that this week would be transformational. That it would really set James further on this journey of seeking the lord and understanding how the love of Christ and how the gospel transforms people; it makes them willing to sacrifice, to love, and to serve others. This was a really neat story about an IFI volunteer having the vision of hospitality and how that really impacted a student’s life. I was very encouraged by that and grateful for the role that I got to play.

Carter: I was really encouraged by how even early on,  I actually had trouble even understanding James language wise…I’m only hearing every other word. And then as time went on, I began to understand everything that was being said. There was this cool movement of the Spirit, where we’re not just understanding what’s being said with words, but having real discernment and connection with what the heart is saying, enabling us to have next level, engaging conversation. That was something that God really did in me. Yeah, that was a big thing. God’s powerful and able to do stuff. It’s not hard for Him at all. 

Jay: Carter’s household had a little party to send him off when he could move back into his apartment with his roommates. I talked with James and it sounds like it’s still a pretty tense situation: he and his roommates just don’t talk to each other anymore. He said, “I miss Chris.” I definitely believe that a really sweet friendship developed from that time. 

Carter: Yeah. It’s a relationship that has continued. We’ve continued getting time together, just to follow up as soon as we can. When God moves like that, who are we to just stow it away and never touch it again, right? God’s doing some exciting stuff.

Ministry is just as much about being ready and willing to serve, as it is about actual service. The Bible teaches us to be ready in and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2) and that God is looking for people to send (Isaiah 6:8). And just like Jay and Carter were able to see the growth in James in response to their willingness to serve, there’s an opportunity for reward in any interaction, service, and prayer you provide to an international that God blesses you to meet. The question is: will you jump in?

Volunteer takes part in the Great Commission after finding all her needs in the Jesus.

“Mom colored me to be an achiever.”

Sue Kroeger, the Associate Communications Specialist for the IFI National team, often reflects on her life before Christ.

“I grew up without much knowledge about God. My mom did not speak of God and disliked church. I would sometimes go to church with my dad or with a friend.” So with limited encounters with Jesus, Sue continued to live her life focused on achieving her goals and the responsibilities of taking care of others. 

As a teenager, she kept busy by babysitting and engaging in as many extracurricular activities as possible. Graduating with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science, she soon pursued a degree and career in law, initially serving as an Assistant Attorney General. This field was competitive and intense. “Having three children, it was very stressful trying to achieve success.” Eventually, she transitioned to working as an inhouse counsel with  the Ohio EPA. “It was more rewarding. I really enjoy it.”

Still, the responsibilities of ensuring  care of her parents during their mental illness episodes, as well as cultivating her work and home life, began to weigh on her.

“My efforts to control my life and my family’s lives were frustrating. I was nagging and having fits of anger at my husband and children. I pushed them to work hard and valued success. My son especially struggled and quietly rebelled by detaching from us. Keith was important to me as their father but less valued as a husband.”

Trying to be in control and achieve success can be overwhelming. Thankfully, that’s when a neighbor comes in handy.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

Sue’s Christian neighbors reached out to her family and began to develop close and meaningful relationships with them. Through social gatherings and community service initiatives, Sue and her family began to be exposed and enlightened to what living a life founded in Christ was all about. 

“The neighbor shared teachings from his church with my husband, who encouraged me to go with him to church in person. After several months, I saw my Keith and our daughters changing. Then our son. It was a pastor’s teaching from Matthew 5 that encouraged me to act. Jesus taught that God’s standard is perfection. Even hate of someone violates this standard. But Jesus loves us so much he paid for all sins with his death.”

Sue came to realize her approach to life wasn’t working so well and she had nothing to lose by praying to Jesus. So she decided to ask Him to forgive her; soon she felt overwhelming peace and release from her anger. She even got a new vision for her life:

“Psalm 46:10 says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ That tells me, ‘Chill Sue. Stop trying to strive.”

While she and her family continued their growth as believers, Sue and her husband began regular volunteers with IFI after learning about it from a friend at church. They soon began assisting Mike Burt at his Bible Study on Friday evenings, later developing programs for children who attended the Bible Study group with their parents. As much as she wanted to help, Sue’s full time job and other responsibilities would leave her feeling tired most Fridays. Over time, God grew Sue’s faith for enough stamina. 

“I knew this was so rewarding and I wanted to do it. So ‘God, would you give me energy?’ And by gosh He did! I would pray out loud in the car every Friday night to fight Satan’s lies, and keep me from thinking that I can’t do it or it’s not worthwhile.”

Befriending international students and serving with IFI became so beloved that Sue made plans to retire to volunteer more. She considered her work with the Ohio EPA important but felt drawn to find time to support IFI’s mission. When IFI Communications Director, Ryan Finke invited her to join his team, she felt God was highlighting her next step.  So after 31 years of government service, she began her associate staff role with the National  Communications  team.

“It was hard to leave, but I felt like I was retiring to IFI, instead of away from my career. I have a role in God’s larger mission to reach others in His name.”

Her role as Associate Communication Specialist is an evolving one, allowing the opportunity for her to engage with diverse assignments and experiences. “I’m super grateful for the IFI staff embracing me, nurturing me to a place I can contribute.  I’ve learned a lot.”

The support from IFI, the insights that God continues to show her as she volunteers, and the transformation that Jesus has made in her own life have all affirmed her new found sense of dependence.

“If you do IFI work for long enough, you find out that you can’t do it on your own. The international people that we reach out to, understandably, think differently than we do. So we have to depend on God for love and the ability to understand how to love them and serve them.”

Volunteers answer the call, the questions of a Muslim student.

Sometimes difficult conversations happen when people are discussing a religious or cultural topic, but they don’t share the same beliefs. Those moments can feel uncomfortable and tense, and may quickly devolve into debate. But what happens when the conversation is taken from the debate desk, to the dinner table?

*Eria, an MD research assistant returning to the U.S. in search of a residency, was surprised to see a man and woman holding a sign with her name as she exited the baggage claim. She had signed up for IFI’s Temporary Housing program because the apartment she had leased was delayed in availability. Still, she wasn’t expecting to be picked up.

“She had taken an Uber the last time she was here,” says Jim Drake*, the IFI volunteer who hosted Eria. “It was funny, she actually walked right past us at first.”

After getting Eria settled at home, Jim and his wife invited her to shop with them for dinner that night. They intended to cook her Chicken Curry, and went to two different shops to buy the halal meat for the dish. That night, they cooked two meals, one with each brand of meat. Jim invited Eria to judge which dish was better. That was the first of many meals they would prepare and share together.

As they lived together, Jim began to notice many things about Eria, a practicing Muslim whose parents had warned her to only live and interact with other Muslims.

“She was very disciplined to pray on time, but also had very liberal views on life. She wanted to explore and understand what others believed.”

She also loved tea, which helped to calm her as she adjusted to the time difference in the States. To help, Jim prepared tea for her everyday. One day, he offered her some cardamom for her tea, but she refused. At first Jim thought nothing of it. Later, he asked her why she didn’t like cardamom (a common spice in her country) in her tea. “I thought it was a pork product,” she said as they laughed.

As she continued her stay with Jim and his wife, Eria became more impressed and comfortable with the hospitality and friendship extended to her, despite the reservations of her parents, who were contacting her from back home. “I would choose them,” she told her mom and dad, even going as far to claim that her Christian hosts acted how she thought Muslims should act.

So the hosting continued, and the friendship between Eria and the Drakes developed. One evening, after dinner, Eria asked the Drakes to sit with her: she had questions.

“She wanted to learn about what we believed as Christians and why we believed it. We were happy to share.”

The questions ranged over a variety of topics, including the Christian perspective of Prophet Muhammed and Quran, and the Bible’s message. This conversation, which lasted until midnight, could have easily turned into a theological dispute, an epic battle of argumentative logic and passionate rebuttals. But this was different, because the table had been set by friends, not enemies.

“Muslim people tend to shut down quickly and become enrage because they feel threatened by Christians beliefs. We wanted her to know that we weren’t rejecting her, but bringing her another perspective.”

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20

Soon after that conversation, Eria found a more permanent residence and her stay with the Drakes ended. However, her relationship with them and IFI did not. She attended the IFI welcome Picnic and met Jay, a campus minister who offered to drive her and two friends home as the event was ending. Jay and Eria later met for breakfast, where Eria described how she felt safe and cared for while staying with the Drakes. 

The conversation again shifted to the topic of faith, with Jay expressing curiosity about Eria’s experience of practicing Islam in the States. “I’m always curious about how that works in a new environment; I also wanted to gauge how devoted she was. She is very thoughtful and comparative, and ultimately wants unity between people.”

Eria also disclosed her interest in religions with holy books, and committed to attending a Bible Discussion to learn more about Christian beliefs. 

So what happens when the conversation is taken from the debate desk, to the dinner table? What happens when someone’s voice is heard and they are invited inside to sit and share as friends?

Simple: the potential for remarkable change.

 

*Names of the student and volunteer are changed for privacy and safety

Student serves with IFI in appreciation for being served.

“I’m called to love on students, but I don’t always expect them to love us back.”

For Xia, an Ohio State campus minister for IFI, it can be very draining when the love and service she extends to students is not reciprocated. Though her head knows that the reason that she and her fellow ministers extend this love is to reflect Jesus, her heart can feel discouraged sometimes.

So it’s always nice when God responds with an encouraging surprise.

One evening, Xia received an unexpected call from Harden, an Indian student she met during IFI’s trip to Washington D.C. She had noticed that Harden was a fairly quiet and independent student, so she didn’t develop much of a relationship with him during the trip. However, through a mutual friend and regular attendance to other IFI events and trips, they developed a solid friendship.

Still, he rarely called.

Xia answered the phone with a sweet hello and was greeted the same way. Harden then got to the point: 

“I need a favor,” he said. One of his friends, who had just arrived in the States from India, had been stuck at the Dayton airport since that morning. He needed a ride to reach his host residence.

Xia’s reply: “Let me have dinner first.”

After a quick meal, Xia and her roommate (who had actually just returned from a conference in Dayton) picked up Harden and drove to the Dayton airport to meet his friend. The friend was overjoyed and so thankful that they all took the time to help him. He bought them all food and expressed how much stress he was experiencing throughout the day.

After dropping off Harden and his friend at their respective homes, Xia and her roommate went home, feeling equally tired and fulfilled. They went above and beyond to help a student

with whom they connected, and there was a still, small joy in that fact.

A few days later, Xia received another call from Harden and his friend, this time with a peculiar question.

“What is the make and model of your car?” Harden asked. He then asked if he could come to her apartment.

Xia was unsure of what to think, other than Harden might need help again. She was curious when he arrived with a big box in his arms. He opened it to present a bike carrier for her car . After installing it for her, Harden and his friend suggested the best ways to test its viability. This gift has been very crucial to Xia’s ministry with other students, as she can now offer to transport their bikes while taking them shopping for necessities or on trips to build relationships. Xia couldn’t believe their kindness, and could only offer a warm thank you in response.

But Harden wasn’t done.

A few days before IFI’s 2021 Welcome Picnic, Harden called Xia again, letting her know that he had signed up for the event as a volunteer, not a guest. When asked why, he had a simple, but profound answer:

 “I would like to help because I am helped. You and IFI have touched my heart with your hospitality. Most people think that 2020 was a horrible year, but for me it was great because of all of the friendships I’ve made. So I’m proud to be a volunteer.”

That day, Harden essentially worked a ten hour shift. He helped serve food, direct traffic, tear down displays and clean up. But before any of that, he assisted Xia in helping another student get settled in her apartment, assembling her bedframe and fixing her broken table. What. A. Day!

 

 

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:13

The most encouraging surprises tend to be the ones that produce hope. For Xia, the hope of her calling to love students, and for that love to point them to Christ, is being renewed. Harden is one example that God has offered her of how going above and beyond can inspire others to do the same. And though Harden is not currently attending Bible Discussion and they don’t typically have spiritual conversations, Xia is excited to see how God will use their friendship as a blessing.

“It’s exciting to have opportunities to bless students. It’s beautiful to see those students bless others as well. Now I feel blessed!”

If only every blessing started with a call.

Then again, maybe they all do.

Minister sees a prayer answered by the heart of a friend.

“Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.” (John 5:3-5)

The wait is always the hardest part.

“I’ve been praying for over a year to find someone who was eager to make time and learn the scriptures and the life of a believer,” says Danny Walker, one of the leaders of IFI’s Indian Friendship Team.

Danny, a missionary’s son and former church minister, has a special desire to see the Great Commission fulfilled in the lives of people from predominantly Hindu nations. Because of this, he does whatever he can to meet and invite his Indian friends into the life of a follower of Jesus, to see what it’s really about.

“For anyone who is serious about befriending Hindu students…do not get into a competition between Christianity and Hinduism (or Sikh, or Jain, or whatever faith they have). Have a living, everyday relationship with God and talk about your personal growth and learning on a regular basis. Promote Jesus and the positives. Tell stories of Jesus and keep them to a few minutes. Be interested in them (the students) and their faith.”

Still, with as many events as he’s attended and conversations that he’s had, Danny was still searching for someone who was willing to go into deeper waters: beyond a friendship with him, into a friendship with Jesus.

Then he met *Sam.

“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?’” (John 5:6)

“Sam is employed by the OSU Agriculture Department and studies the water quality of Lake Erie. He has been in Columbus for 15 months. He got on the IFI website searching for opportunities to get involved. I emailed him and gave him several options. He was interested in Bible study already so I took him to my group and we started a friendship from that point. Now, we’ve been reading scripture and doing some memorizing together. On top of that we’ve been spending Tuesday night’s one-on-one.”

As their friendship grew, Sam shared his desire to learn more about the Bible and the Christian lifestyle. He also shared more about his personal and work life with Danny, including a surprising detail about his experience in the States. Despite living and working in Ohio for over a year, studying Lake Erie, he never visited the actual lake! Upon hearing this, Danny committed to helping his friend find the opportunity to see the site of his work firsthand.

Then they found it: Labor day weekend.

Danny and his wife, Cheryl, invited Sam to join them on a day trip to Lake Erie, along with an Indian couple whom they had befriended at IFI’s Indian Independence Day Party. The couple, Octavtian and Marian, were new to Columbus and eager to experience some fun activities in their new home.

“‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’” (John 5:7)

The drive to the Lake included sightseeing and engaging conversation. But the fun was just getting started. Upon arriving, the five travellers took a ferry to Kelleys Island and enjoyed eating local food. They also toured a park with a very old lighthouse, connecting and bonding as they took in the scenes by the lake.

But Danny is not one to miss an opportunity. So during conversation, when Octavian was expressing his views on religion and the similarities between faiths in the world, Danny offered the difference that Jesus makes:

“The good news, or Gospel, is that when we fall short of the works-based approach found in most religions, we can turn to God’s mercy found in Jesus. In fact, the cross of Jesus is the only way to cover our shortcomings. So God’s mercy is actually a different path than all other religions.”

Just then, Sam, who had taken a break from the group to read a portion of a book he brought, rejoined the conversation. He had just finished reading a page in the book, recommended to him by Danny, focusing on the path to God. Then he quoted Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Danny felt a wide smile unfold across his face. Though Octavian might not have accepted the path of Jesus, Sam seemed to be well on his way.

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’” (John 5:8)

The wait is often the hardest part; but afterwards, when the opportunity arises, we can’t afford to let it wash away. Danny was given the opportunity to pour into Sam, and in one moment, he saw the work that God was doing all along.

And just like the man who was waiting at the Pool of Bethesda for another angel to trouble the water, Danny received his desire. But his fulfillment didn’t come from the water; it came from the words of Jesus.

*Name is changed for the privacy and safety of the student

We are blessed with an amazing staff team at IFI in Columbus!

Each month we shine the spotlight on one of the Columbus team members, so you can meet them up close and personally. There are so many staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to help IFI remain prepared to serve.

Danny has served as a Campus Minister for the IFI Columbus team since the beginning of 2020. He leads the India Friendship ministry while building relationships with students. His desire is to inspire vision in students in order to further spread the gospel message. 

Before joining the IFI team, Danny grew up as a missionary’s kid, living in Japan for nine years.

As an adult, he worked as a missionary in central Ohio to immigrant Bhutanese refugees. He later began serving in various pastoral and leadership positions at a local church. 

Danny volunteered with IFI for years before joining the team. After retiring from his church, IFI staff members encouraged Danny to apply for a position. With a need for Indian ministry leadership and Danny’s experience, he found himself as a Campus Minister, submerged in the mission once again. 

Danny’s work extends from his heart’s mission to serve the Lord; he is especially passionate about the unreached people groups of Nepal. He sees IFI as an avenue to serve this mission. 

“God’s finishing up His missionary work and this is one way that I can contribute to an area of great need,” says Danny.  

One of Danny’s favorite memories is from a trip with a student to Kentucky. The student was curious about the stories in the Bible and Jesus. Danny told him the stories of Abraham and Moses and their parallel to the gospel story. Danny loved the intersection of his greatest passion and getting to know the heart and questions of the student. 

Danny would one day love to visit the Indian Himalayas where he can hike and engage with the indigenous people. 

He asks for prayer to receive wisdom from God to help his team succeed and raise up leaders and disciples. He also asks for prayer that IFI would accumulate more student leadership.