A Chinese church in New Jersey has been holding information sessions to assists students studying abroad from China in getting adjusted to the lives in America and coming to know the gospel.
On August 28, Harvest Church of New Jersey and Harvest Foundation invited professionals in the fields of law, medicine, finances, and public services to speak on details relevant to the lives of the newly arrived students.
In recent years, growing number of youths have traveled across the pacific to pursue their dreams and many have chosen to study at the various internationally acclaimed Universities located in New York City and New Jersey.
Although the Chinese students may be filled with optimism, the path towards higher education is filled with unknowns, and they have to face the challenges in life along as soon as they get off the plane.
How do you quickly adapt in a foreign country? How can you understand and easily blend in with the culture in United States? How do you resolve the daily living needs and the change in immigration status? How do you find your spiritual sustenance? These are some of the realistic issues that immigrant students face each day.
Today, Chinese immigrant students have crowded both sides of the Manhattan River, forming a large mission field for the local Chinese churches. Holding on to this opportunity, Harvest Church began the info session for new students since last year in order to help them quickly adapt to the local culture and environment and at the same time scatter the seeds of the gospel in their hearts.
Conveniently located in Jersey City, the church has become a hot spot for students in New York City and New Jersey to meet. These information sessions have received much acclaim from the Chinese students who’ve participated. This year’s total number of participants has increased by multiple times. Around 80 students joined the session last week, according to the organizing committee.
At the end of the session, students were invited to join the Sunday Services held at Harvest Church and worship God together. Rev. Mu-dao Hsiao delivered a message titled “The Lord’s Love for China” (juaichonghua), introducing the gospel and Jesus to the new-comers. After the event, they’ve dialogued and exchanged with the church pastor and other fellow believers.
