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Joseph wants to start new Bible studies in Singapore
April 12, 2020
Joseph became a Christian when he was a child in Singapore, but had felt like his faith was just coasting. In 2019 Joseph traveled to study at San Diego State University and was regularly attending our international student Bible study. He felt like his faith had been refreshed!
One day he expressed an interest in learning how to lead a Bible study so that, when he went back home to Singapore, he could lead his own Bible study groups with friends and family.
In early March I got to meet up with Joseph at The Living Room cafe near campus where he told me more about his renewed faith and vision for his life.
What effect has your time at SDSU had on you?
What effect has your time at SDSU had on you?
"I felt God ask me this question very clearly: 'Joseph, do you love me?'
I think He’s been answering that question a lot through His Word during Bible study and through the actions demonstrated by the community.
I came here on exchange with Irene (Another Singaporean student). I’m very proud of her because I see a lot of growth in her in the last months. I think it would be a shame if we go back and we realize this was just an exchange high, because it’s not.
I know God has got a bigger plan for this. So, what I wanna do is bring this Bible study kind of community back to Singapore in my own school so that I can create a space that is safe for students like me and Irene and other people who are exploring their faith… so they can come, ask questions, and also learn more about their relationship with God, who God is and what does He want from us, or what can we do about this whole thing.
That’s why I asked Lauren (San Diego Cru Staff) how to run a Bible study. I just want to make sure this is not just an exchange high, this is something more. And it might help Irene and myself…"
Having been a Christian before you came here, what kind of impact do you think Cru and Bridges International has had on you?
Having been a Christian before you came here, what kind of impact do you think Cru and Bridges International has had on you?
"Back in Singapore, I didn’t hang out with exchange students. Haha! ... I would think, 'they’re going to leave in a few months time, what’s the point of making friends with these people?'
But since I came here, everything Lauren and Cru have been doing has shown me a lot about God’s love and what it means to love people that are kind of fleeting.
What I’ve noticed is that I do feel very loved. Especially by the community and Lauren. They took a step up to reach out to us, invite us over to Bible study and even dinner… things like that. God has really been revealing to me what it means to love His people just like He has first loved me."
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—
and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:24-25 | NIVJoseph, like many international students, has been sent back to his home country due to the Covid-19 situation. He is still attending our weekly Bible discussion video call on Tuesday evenings and has a desire to help his family and friends grow in their relationship with Jesus. Please pray for Joseph and our other international students.
PRAYER
PRAYER
Pray for God to use us strategically during this time to reach out to these students virtually all around the globe.
Pray for Joseph as he seeks to create space for people he knows to grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Pray for our current video-call Bible discussion time that happens every week.
Pray for all of our students as we go through God's Word together.
Sam Davis has focused on international student ministry since 2010 and is on staff with Cru and Bridges International in San Diego, CA. His passion for leading others into a close relationship with Jesus is shown in his general love for people and focus on discipleship.
Sam and his wife, Gloria, love to travel, meet people, eat great food, and hike.
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