When I left my home country, Malaysia, to come to the United States for my music studies seven years ago, I had never thought that God had a calling and a plan for me into full-time ministry. Since my first week in the US, God has given me the heart to serve international students, especially Chinese international students.

The calling into international student ministry was germinated during my first week at Murray State University in 2013. This scripture vividly popped up in my head on three different occasions when I was with the International students. The scripture was Matthew 9:36, “When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” I began mentoring some International students at that time. In just two months, I witnessed two Chinese students start following Jesus, and later, more international students came to Christ one after another. I realized that the University is a wonderful place to serve students.

I was actively involved in serving international students in Murray while I was a student from 2013 to 2015, and later at Campbellsville University from 2015 to 2017. God has given me a burden and a calling to mentor international students. I have seen how Jesus has changed the lives of International students as well as their families. I have seen their growth in Christ, and how some of them are now actively serving at their local churches in their countries.

It took me a few years to respond to God’s calling of going into full-time service to Him. After years of praying and struggling, finally I surrendered to God’s calling, and I went to seminary from 2018 to 2020 and am now joining the IFI Dayton team in 2021. I am very excited and looking forward to seeing God’s great work in Dayton.