Sharing Jesus' love with Chinese students

Please read and consider the opportunities below:

There are over 4,000 Chinese students who choose to study at Purdue each year--a huge mission field in our backyard! Covenant Church has become increasingly involved in outreach to Chinese students through the ministry of Pleasant Streams. There are several upcoming opportunities for individuals and small groups to get involved by extending Christian hospitality to Chinese students.

House a Chinese student for a few days

In the past some of the Chinese students who arrive in early August have been unable to get into their housing unit on the exact day they arrive from China. These students may need temporary housing in homes for a few days (maybe 3 to 4 days, but no more than a week). Usually the need is for overnight housing. What a special opportunity for ministry! We are really sorry that Purdue University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (PUCSSA) still cannot provide full details about the exact time of these students’ arrival. However, due to logistic needs, we need to give the list of our volunteers to PUCSSA as soon as possible, otherwise we will lose the opportunity. Covenant through Pleasant Streams recently has developed one of the most effective and strategic evangelistic ministries, and so it is very very regrettable, if we lose this opportunity. The need for temporary housing is the most pressing one, and if Covenant members can participate, this will open up a tremendous evangelistic opportunity! Many more people will hear the Gospel! If you would like to provide housing, you can indicate:

1. Your available date (e.g., August 6, August 10, or August 6 and 10, you are very welcome to provide earlier dates as well, since we also anticipate some people who might come earlier)
2. The length of housing (e.g., 3 days, 4 days, etc.). Purdue dorms will open on August 16.
3. The number of people that you can house
4. Other matters or details (e.g., you can only provide housing without meals, you can provide housing and meals, you can provide housing but cannot help with transportation, etc.).

Give one time transportation to a Chinese student

Many Chinese students will fly into O'Hare airport in early August. Most will arrive on August 6th or August 10th. PUCSSA has chartered buses to transport students from O'Hare airport to West Lafayette. Buses will drop students off at the new apartment complex of Faith Baptist Church, on Northwestern Avenue, West Lafayette. Volunteers from area churches are being sought to meet the buses and drive students to various housing units on and off campus. We are really sorry that we cannot provide full details about the exact timing. Although PUCSSA still cannot provide the concrete time of arrival, due to (a) logistic needs, and (b) the numerous amount of churches or individuals who want to volunteer, we need to give the list of our volunteers to PUCSSA asap, otherwise we will lose the opportunity. However, if you would like to volunteer as a driver, you can indicate:

1. Your available date (e.g., August 6, August 10, or August 6 and 10)
2. Your available time during that date (e.g., morning, afternoon, evening, or the whole day, etc.). PUCSSA told us that students usually come between 2 pm to 2 am.
3. The frequency of your volunteering (e.g., 1 or 2 or 3 times on August 6, August 10, or both days, etc.)

Pack a sack lunch for a Chinese student

Lastly, volunteers will also be needed to help pack lunch bags. Each student riding on the buses will be given a sack lunch and water. Packed along with fruit and sandwiches will be information about area churches and Christian ministries. This is our first opportunity to invite Chinese students to Covenant and Pleasant Streams. Brochures are being prepared.

If you can participate in any of these opportunities, please send an email to cmckinnis@covenantepc.org. Of these three volunteering opportunities, temporary housing is the most strategic one. These opportunities won’t benefit Pleasant Streams only, they can bring more International students to the church. It is exhilarating that while pastors or theologians nowadays think that China is the biggest and most strategic mission field in history, God brings China to Covenant’s own backyard! Exact details about these opportunities will be provided in July. In the meantime, pray for China and for the Chinese living among us.

Click HERE to learn about Pleasant Streams Worship - A Christian Ministry for Chinese seekers and scholars

Announcements

Operation World Prayer

This week's prayer focus: Mexico - Latin America

Congregational Prayer Gathering

Monday, June 17 at 7:00pm in the Chapel

Ministry to Chinese

There is a need for more servants in our Chinese Ministry. Contact Dai Yongfu for more information, 765-463-7303.