Our Heart for International People
When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:33–34 NIV, emphasis added)
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. (Acts 17: 26 NIV, emphasis added)
God is on mission for the entire world, and he is bringing the world to our neighborhoods.
International Students
According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education, there were 1,040,985 international students in Canada at all levels of study at the end of 2023. Of that number, 10 percent came from China, 41 percent from India, and 2 percent from Iran.
According to Open Doors, a publication of the US government, 1,057,188 international students studied in the United States during the 2022/23 school year. Of that total, 27 percent came from China, 25 percent from India, and 1 percent from Iran.
A vast number of students come from the 10/40 window, the region between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north, spanning North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This is where 95 percent of the world’s unreached people groups live. According to the Joshua Project, there are currently 178 unreached people groups represented by individuals living in North America.
Immigrants and Refugees
Refugees and immigrants enter Canada and the US every year. Most come from the 10/40 window, and most come from unreached people groups. The crisis of refugees – Syrian, Ukraine, or others – is a global crisis, and NAB churches are responding by opening homes.
How We Help
As the NAB cross-cultural equipper, Bud Fuchs is experience in cross-cultural ministry. His experience includes serving both as an international missionary and serving on staff at a church where he was responsible for ministry to international students. Most recently, Bud has developed a team that is reaching out to 3,000 international students in Utah. He does on-campus visits at Utah Valley University each week to connect with students, and he has equipped the church to minister to this student population.
Conversational English is one of the greatest needs of international students. Bud hosts Conversation Cafes each week and can train your church to host a similar ministry. Bud, and those he leads, use a guided curriculum dealing with topics such as culture shock, friendship, and holidays. The goal is to help with both conversational English and also adapting to North American culture.
Bud has also connected with some refugee services and other churches in the area to offer training and support.
Contact Bud to get his latest newsletter.
Support Bud Fuchs
Services We Provide to Churches
Bud is available to offer training seminars that can cast vision and coach your group or church to reach out to the internationals in your community. These seminars can be held locally or online. If you would like to participate in one of these seminars, please contact Bud Fuchs.
