Ministry to Internationals@ Christ Chruch Stellenbosch

This 'Post' comes from the annual report of Christ Church in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Nigerian Independence Day Celebration. 

RE: Christ Church Stellenbosch Ministry to Internationals.

The ministry to ‘Internationals’ at Christ Church Stellenbosch seeks to connect ‘International Students’ to Christ, to one another and to our Church. We want to create a community where ‘Internationals students’ can hear and tell the gospel through the Bible’s own stories.  Every Thursday on campus we hold our ‘Story Group for Internationals’ where we tell and discuss Biblical stories. Our ‘Story Group’ now has about a dozen regulars. Four of last year’s most faithful attenders received their degrees in December and returned to their home countries.    

Laura, Clara and Chimwemwe from Zambia.

We also seek to show hospitality to internationals by sharing meals with them in our home and we invite students to church braais. Our hope is that church partners will get to know internationals and welcome them into the church community. This ministry is an opportunity to extend the outreach of Christ Church. Dr. Ephraim Yoms, a Nigerian Pastor who attended Christ Church and ‘Story Group’ regularly has given us an open invitation to visit Nigeria to train Church leaders in ‘Bible Storytelling’. We have also been invited to teach Pastors in the Nkhoma Synod in Malawi. Here are testimonies from those who have benefited from the ministry to internationals.

 “Discussing Biblical stories brings the characters and their circumstances alive in a fresh way. It is challenging and inspiring! God’s plan for salvation shines through in all of Israel’s history and this is amazing to grasp!” Timwani Phiri; Ph-D Candidate in Engineering from Zambia.  

 “In the ‘Story Group’ I discover what the stories mean by listening and thinking deeply. When I hear the Bible stories, I feel that no story is meaningless because they are our stories. When I listen to the opinions of others I learn how others think and sometimes they challenge me. I always appreciate both the love we receive and the food for lunch.” Pastor Jacob Lee; M-Th Candidate Practical Theology from Korea.

“The ‘story group’ for internationals has been so enriching to me, I have learned a lot and I have been impacted spiritually. Studying God’s Word by storytelling is fascinating and helps one to grasp events from the scripture in a practical and imaginative way. It helps me to identify the context of the scripture more from my African perspective of telling stories in a communal setting. It would be for me a unique way of sharing God’s Word when I go back to my country after my studies here at the University.” Kefas Garba; M-Th Candidate from Nigeria.

“It was a blessing for me to join this group. Most people who gather at this meeting are from different countries with different denominational backgrounds. Jay uses Bible stories to teach and after the Bible story he leads discussion about the story. Everyone participates in the discussion actively. I believe that the students are helped; both spiritually and physically, and will be good Christian leaders in their countries upon returning.” Dokeun Byun; Theology Student from Korea.

“Our gatherings with international students were great and enriching. It was an opportunity to know each other as well and to share the ‘Word of God’ in different cultural perspectives.” Tony Gunde; Ph-D Journalism from Malawi.

“Thank you very much for the privilege to have learned from the story group. We arrived at our home in Nigeria safely.” Pastor Ephraim Yoms; Th-D Practical Theology from Nigeria.

Please Pray for the 'Ministry to Internationals at Christ Church Stellenbosch'. 

Pray for the growth and participation in our 'Story Group'. 

Pray for our community as we seek to show hospitality to Internationals in our home. 

Pray for our the spiritual and emotional health of our family as we seek to minister in South Africa. 

Pray that my 'Research Proposal' be approved so we can renew our educational visa to stay in SA.  

Your prayerful support of this ministry is deeply appreciated!

Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine, and Lauren Stoms

To make a tax-deductible donation send your support to:

Jay and Laura Stoms (Stoms Ministry Fund)

Africa Christian Training Institute 
P O Box 15621; Panama City FL 32406-5621