Encounter: Ministry to the nations
CARY (BSCNC Communications) - Within the first 24 hours of arriving on campus Alicia Jones saw a glimpse into the next four years at Campbell University. Of course she would go to class, study and participate in campus activities, but much of her time and energy would be devoted to reaching out to the nearly 200 international students representing 50 countries. Jones knew the Lord clearly directed her to Campbell, and the Sunday after freshman move-in day she started to realize why.
That Sunday, Jones attended church with her aunt and uncle. Sitting in front of them during the service was a couple who recently moved to the area for the purpose of serving international students. Jones explained that she also shared an interest in this type of ministry. That evening, as a bit of loneliness set in for a new college student, Jones slipped in late to a campus back-to-school event. At the event she recognized Meredith Brunson, a sophomore who was in a class with Jones back in middle school. As Brunson and Jones reconnected that night, Jones learned that many of Brunson's friends were international students. Over the next few weeks, Jones spent a lot of time with Brunson and got to know her friends. The more time they spent together, the more they sensed God calling them to do more to help international students.
During that first semester, Jones and Brunson started a ministry called Encounter. They began with a buddy program, pairing up an international student with an American student who could help them out however needed, from rides to the airport to just meeting to chat. Jones knows without a doubt the buddy program, and the launch of Encounter, happened by God's grace. "We just did it," she said. "I'm not really sure how it all came together." The next semester Encounter expanded to include a host family program, and by Jones' sophomore year Encounter was hosting a weekly Bible study for international students. Encounter also helps students with class work through a weekly tutoring program.
Asked why they named the ministry Encounter, "God just gave it to us," Jones said, and it describes "the incredible encounters that happen." Some international students come to the Encounter Bible study and hear the Gospel for the first time. Other students use the Bible study as an outreach to their American friends who are not believers. Jones leads the study time, teaching through various stories and books in the Bible. Discussion is very much a part of the Bible study and students are encouraged to ask questions and seek answers.
Encounter is a relationship-based ministry. During her sophomore year the incoming freshman class included an unusually large number of international students and Jones connected with many of those students. She connected with them by listening and taking time to get to know them. She often brings them home with her during weekends and holidays. "My family just expects that I'm bringing an extra person," Jones said. This summer, the roles reversed. After a five-week program teaching in Asia, Jones traveled to three different countries and visited with three different international friends in their homes. "It was a once in a lifetime experience," she said.
During her time overseas Jones spent several weeks with Flora, one of the students she met sophomore year. When Flora started coming to the Encounter Bible study she knew Christianity to be a major world religion, but that's all she could say about Christianity. Flora was matched up with an American student through the buddy program and that buddy invited Flora to church with her. Flora went, and later told Jones she was "overcome with an amazement of the Spirit in that place." "Upon that first encounter with Christ she received Him," Jones said. Flora was later baptized at Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, where Jones attends, and other Campbell students came to witness her baptism.
This summer Jones saw Flora in her culture, and she saw firsthand the lostness of the world Flora calls home. In one small town Jones watched as a family with their small child put money in a box and bowed down to old, dusty idols. "My heart just stung with conviction: this town had no place of worship," she said. Jones watched as one day Flora boldly shared about her faith with her family. "I looked at each face in the room, how intently they were listening to her. They were hungering for what she had to say," Jones said. In that moment Jones realized that a simple act of obedience on the part of two college students made for an impact on people around the world.
Jones, now a senior graduating this month with a degree in birth to kindergarten education, has friends like Flora living all over the world. Encounter is a place where such friendships are developed because this ministry provides "not just any community, but a Christian community. People don't give up on people in Encounter. Once you walk in, you're family." Jones regularly receives e-mails from friends and prays for them daily, because "I know God is working in their lives."
Encounter is not something Jones sought, nor something she expected. But this ministry has "opened my eyes to how big God is and how big His plan is. I have been part of something so much bigger than me. I am extremely blessed by it and thankful for it. It's been a journey I've taken with God," she said.
Next semester Jones heads to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where she will begin working toward a master of divinity degree in international church planting, with plans to earn her degree through the 2 plus 2 program. Her goal is to show the nations "the truth in the Bible and allow God's work to happen."
