Why focus on reaching international students?

Imagine the impact of welcoming an international student into your home or church — a student who may never have heard the gospel before. With over 1,000,000 international students currently studying in the U.S., the mission field is closer than you think.

Most of these students are nonbelievers and come from regions with limited opportunities to hear about Jesus or interact meaningfully with Christians. Some are curious, searching for meaning, some are seeking a secular lifestyle, while others arrive with their own faith, eager to connect with the Christian community. But without intentional outreach, thousands of them will leave the U.S. without ever stepping into a home or church where the gospel is shared.

That’s where you come in.

We’re here to equip and guide you as you reach out to international students. Whether you’re opening your home, connecting through campus ministries, or simply sharing your faith in a meaningful way, you have the power to make a lasting difference.

We partner with local churches, supporting them with resources, training, and encouragement to help them welcome international students. For believing students, we foster connections to healthy local churches. For those who are far from God, we support you in proclaiming the gospel and teaching the Scriptures to them.

This opportunity is both a privilege and a responsibility. God is sovereignly bringing the nations to our doorstep — how will you respond?

WHERE WE SERVE

Horizons actively engages international students on 10 campuses across eight states.

• Boulder & Denver, CO

• Austin, TX

• Dearborn, MI

• Evansville, IN

Additionally, our staff work through their local churches, and often partner with other area churches to reach international students. 

Reaching the World at Our Doorstep

What if your next conversation with an international student could change the world?

Every year, thousands of students from nations near and far arrive in the U.S., full of questions, dreams, and opportunities. Among them are future global leaders, innovators, and influencers—some of whom have never heard the gospel.

Our goal is simple: to equip you and your church to step into this mission field and make a lasting impact.

• For nonbelieving students, the opportunity to hear the gospel and believe in Jesus as Messiah and Lord.

• For believing students, a connection to local healthy churches where they can grow in faith and be discipled for lifelong ministry.

• For your church, the tools and encouragement to engage meaningfully with international students, sharing the love of Christ in ways that resonate and transform.

The global mission field is right at your doorstep. As you open your heart, your home, and your church, you have the opportunity to inspire and equip international students to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.

How you can reach international students

Here are ways you can move forward with engaging international students:

• Learn how to start an International Student Ministry 

• Get equipped to engage international students with Scripture

• Learn how to reach specific groups — Muslims (MSA), Hindus, Buddhists, undergrad internationals, grad internationals, and more

• Invite someone from Horizons to come speak at your church or University student group (LINK)

• Find out how to run large-scale welcome events for international students

• I want to learn how to start and run a Friendship Partner Program

• Host dinners for international students, professionals, and families in your community

• Run other activities such as hiking, sports, talent shows, and friendship programs to foster relationships with local Americans.

• Host a Bible study for seekers, more advanced students, or different language groups

• Help with or launch an English as a Second Language (ESL) class.