During a recent 40th Anniversary event in Edinburgh – attendees were invited to share a written thought with the FI team;

Then – “Share a memory, story, or moment from the past 40 years of ISM with FI”

 Now – “Share an unfinished story that is currently happening either here in Scotland or with a returnee overseas”

Next – “Share a vision, hope, or prayer for the next 40 years of ISM with FI in Scotland”

Below is a collection of the responses – a celebration of wonderful memories past present and hopes and prayers for the future. (Some names have been omitted for security reasons).

Then

• I worked as a teacher in Uganda for nearly 20 years. Returned home to look after my parents in 1986. Had a job in Scripture Union as International Staff Worker for Scotland. So, I’ve had a great enduring interest in befriending international students. Delighted to meet and get to know Pete Edwards and his wife in our home church and to support Friends International.

• When I was a staff worker with FI from 2001-2013, I met a student from China. Not a Christian. She was very troubled. . . started coming to the International Bible Study. . . started attending a church. Then became a Christian and was baptised. She returned to China, married a Christian, and as far as I know, are still both in Christian ministry in China.

• I met X from China at a Glasgow Uni International Café, and he said he was not a Christian when I first met him. But after the Christian Union read the Bible with him, he found out how God loves him deeply and converted to Christianity. Although he is now back in China, he has been sharing loads of Bible verses on social media. Thanks to the international student ministry, X has been a great blessing back in his home country. He is now a primary school teacher.

• I remember prayer times for internationals with enthusiasts from a variety of churches.

• We were invited by our Chinese Local Link student to an event in Edinburgh where we met a famous Chinese writer!

• I remember a packed Sunday afternoon Bible study in Cardiff (around 1990) with much favour. On one occasion, we had to adjourn to watch the live release of Nelson Mandela on the TV!

• When I started going to Morningside Baptist in 2001, I was asked to help out at the meals. I then got married and Pete Edwards asked if I could help with accounts. I could not, but my husband could and so this introduced my husband to FI. We hosted a Chinese student & support the organisation and more individuals. It has been a “growing” ministry for us.

• Just after starting as a volunteer at Global Café, I remember going to a Church ceilidh and meeting lots of the international students who greeted me like a long-lost friend!

• I remember meeting and fellowshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ in the university setting. Befriending international students and supporting them on their way with genuine friendship. I had been an international student myself.

• There was a student at Dundee doing their masters in 2023-2024. They had no accommodation, and they had to travel and commute from Dundee to Edinburgh, but they were welcomed into a Christian home.

• There was a Canadian student who came to International Café every year for the year he was in Glasgow. More than 10 years later, he got in touch to say that he had returned to church, and meeting Christian students at international Café was a big part of that journey.

• Five years ago, my Local Link Student was a master’s student from Ethiopia – sponsored by the government. He’s an Orthodox Christian. We had many walks and conversations about faith. He regularly attended church with us and really appreciated the friendship and support. I learned a lot about the Orthodox faith. Two years ago, when he returned for graduation (after three years away), he wasn’t allowed to return to Ethiopia and is now seeking asylum in the north of England. He still values our prayers.

• Local Link Student – During lockdown, our student visited just after Easter to have a meal in the garden. She had asked us to explain the resurrection story. At the end of the meal, with snow flurries falling, she accepted Christ as Saviour. No greater thrill. Back in her own country, she still walks with Christ.

• 35 years ago – On my first outing with students here in Edinburgh, in the wind and rain, we went into St. Giles Cathedral. I noticed that all the stained-glass windows featured the ascension of Christ immediately above his crucifixion and told the Muslim students from Yemen standing beside me that Christians believe Christ is in Heaven, alive, and reigning. A short time afterwards, walking along Jeffrey Street, he said to me, “I’d like to know what Christians believe. Can I come to church with you?” And the following day, he did! What a privilege. I still pray for him.

• I remember simple and sacrificial living of all who sowed into the lives of number students. Lives have been touched and transformed. Churches have been awakened or supported in ISM.

• We built friendship with a Chinese student during the pandemic on the internet by video calls. However, she couldn’t come to study in person. We have still had a great opportunity to show God’s love.

• I was involved in Wee World Café from when it was set up. We welcomed students from many countries, a few whom I’m still in touch with over 20 years later. I know from another helper that some students she is in touch with became Christians upon returning to their home countries.

• X came regularly to international Café and heard the Gospel many times. She phoned her mum every day and told her all about Int. Café and the Christians who befriended her. Near the end of the year, she shared that her mum had started going to church in China and had become a Christian.

• As FI workers in Lancaster, we held weekly Bible studies in our home. The peak years were around 2007-2011, when we regularly had 15-20 students, mostly Chinese / Asian. Lots of fun, food, and fellowship. Still in contact with several who share stories and pictures online with us. X, from HK, regularly sends us postcards and letters, even after all these years. She always mentions the Bible studies and how meaningful they were for her. We know this impacted her faith and she is now a great encouragement to us.

• I met with Kelly (Edinburgh Staff Worker), and she was kind. She prayed for us when she heard my friend is in trouble with an accommodation contract. I was so touched by her sincerity and faithfulness. I gradually engaged in Bible study, and I felt that it’s true and real. I started to drink from Jesus.

• A Japanese student who came to English Corner came back to Edinburgh last year with her sister and made contact with us for coffee. She shared how much she had appreciated English Corner and the deep conversations about values that it offered.

• I formed a friendship through our conversation club with a Chinese student in 2016-2017. Many years later, I received a call from him saying he wanted to talk and how much he had enjoyed the group and friendship. But the call was cut off and he hasn’t reconnected. But it was a tiny glimpse that a seed had been sown which is still bearing fruit in someone’s life.

• In 1978, Edinburgh Uni opened an International Student Centre. I was the first vice president and my friend X the first president. He was a Hindu, but as friendships developed, he became a Christian. The CU held ceilidhs, holidays, and welcome at the start of the year. This was the precursor to Friends International – a great chance to learn to love others.

• X came to meet us through Local Link. He was doing a master’s during Covid, so we kept in touch for several years. He had no interest in the Christian faith! He is now in Japan, and we still keep in touch, and still pray!

• Great memories of all our October weekends in Helensburgh. Newly arrived students came on Friday night to Sunday afternoon. Stayed with a family both nights and got to know families who often met them regularly during their studies in Glasgow. On Saturdays we went for trips through Highlands to Inverary and back. On Saturday evening, we had a ceilidh with local volinists and students from each country represented shared a song or poem or even dance from their countries. Sunday morning, they went to church with families and in the afternoon, trip to Loch Lomond and back to Glasgow. Many friendships forged through these weekends.

• I remember running an international Christian house party during which I got to know a person who would later become my wife.

• We befriended students from Singapore 40 years ago and still keep in touch.

Now

• Several years ago, three students came for a meal – one Chinese and two Mongolian. The Chinese student was the only one who kept in touch. He went to Switzerland, married his Chinese fiancé, and brought her over to Edinburgh to meet us. We didn’t have too many involved Christian discussions, but he knew we were Christians and appreciated the friendship.

• We had a very encouraging visit from Ivan Neira at our church a few weeks ago.

• Student X had a dream with Biblical images, had a Bible given to them in the street. Now seeking the truth – started with Friends International groups.

• In Stirling, we have a Chinese family who are here studying. The mum has come along to church regularly. Pray that we can help maintain her interest in Christian matters and grow.

• A Chinese student in Glasgow Uni has been touched by Jesus’ story, and one day she cried in church because she grew up in a toxic environment and she had never felt such an enormous help. May God continue to guide her spiritual journey!

• A Chinese student came into our church to pick up a Christmas gift bag. She began to study the Bible during her time in Scotland. She is now back in China and still in touch with church members.

• A student from Japan was in Scotland for one semester. She came to FI events and to church. Just before she left, she told us she came as an atheist but now wants to keep studying the Bible. In just a few days, we managed to connect her with a missionary couple in her hometown. She’s now back at her university city. Will she connect with Christians there? Will she continue to believe while in a culture where it is so hard to be a Christian?

• We have international students who’ve now finished their studies, returning to volunteer and help out with events for others.

• I’ve just started as a volunteer at Central Church, Edinburgh’s Conversation Café. Not run by FI, but linked to helping international students as well as seekers, refugees, and others from all nations.

• I got connected with some visiting scholars at a conversation club set up by Friends International. Together with a Friends International staff worker, I invited them to learn English using the Bible. Thanks be to God, some of them came to faith. They are now back in their home country and connected to Christians there. It’s challenging for them to continue in faith, so I’m keeping in touch.

• A current international student is attending our church in Edinburgh from Brunei – a predominantly Muslim nation. How could God use him in his own nation when he returns to work there? Pray he would be a blessing to the minority Christian community (around 8% of the population). Brunei is a wealthy country. Pray that the material blessings they enjoy not be a barrier to the Gospel.

• My current FI Local Link Chinese student came to the Easter service with her parents. They have no English, but it seems they are/used to believe. I have now given them Glasgow Chinese Church details. Pray that they will go and be encouraged in their faith.

• I’m excited by the zeal and exuberance of some Nigerian Christian students to live out and share their faith and encourage many other churches here.

• Met a Greek student on a trip to the Kelpies pre-pandemic. Having holidayed in lots of parts of Greece, we had lots to talk about. Returning to complete her master’s post-pandemic, she studied at our home, and we became very good friends. We continue in contact and hope to meet up soon. Pray regularly that she may find Jesus.

• Unfinished story of a student from Korea who came to faith in Dundee through FI contacts. She was baptised and is growing in her faith in Jesus. Praying and trusting God for the next steps to take. She is a great friend and volunteer to many in her life now.

• I met a Brazilian girl at my church. She seems to be a nominal Christian. She wants to learn English but can’t enrol until later at the local college. I offered to teach her informally. We meet once a week. Her English is minimal, but I’ve been able to pray with her and share a little about my faith. I pray she will come back to church and find Jesus while she’s here in Scotland.

• The very first student at our International Café came from China. She was already a Christian but had not met any others. She was delighted to be invited and taken to church and welcomed into local homes. She qualified and went to work in London where she married a non-Christian (but one who supported her on her Christian path). Now a mother and still a believer and follows Jesus as Lord. Two of us from FI went to the wedding!

• This year in our church we have had a conversation club. It always includes fun activities and conversation, but it also includes discussion of deeper questions of faith, belief, and valued. Over 125 students have been to the group and many comment on how they appreciate it – including the “values” section of the evening.

• Ongoing links with a Chinese student whom I knew when she was an undergrad & postgrad who is now back in China. We had some good faith conversations so I continue to pray for her, and she may visit the UK this year. An ongoing story!

• I was linked to a Mongolian student through Local Link in lockdown. We were only able to meet once, but she told me of another Mongolian student due to come. I told her she could share my contact details so I could welcome her. She then gave me her details and we were able to walk around the city when all around was closed. She asked me about being a Christian and she said she was a Christian too. So, we were able to pray and encourage one another. She is a doctor but wasn’t allowed to see any patients and there were no other students in her accommodation, so she was very isolated. Just before she left, having finished her masters, we were able to meet,  go to church, and share trips. Back in Mongolia, she had a period of depression but was able to share and ask for prayer; and is now in a Bible study group and has a fellowship. She is so grateful to FI for the connection FI made, and the Christian support she found.

• Having Bible studies and attending church services with Muslim and Hindu students who are exploring the Bible for the first time – they’re so interested!

• I am still in touch with former Local Link students , some who have returned home. One in particular who lives in the UK and wishes to remain here. She works for a Chinese education organisation. We have become close, and I visit her regularly. She attends a church where much friendship and support is available to her. Although she has not made a total commitment, she is on a faith journey, and we keep praying together!

• One of our Saudi students has a dream full of Biblical symbols. We have shared with him the meaning of his dream and we pray that he will surrender his life to Jesus!

Next

• The work of Friends International should grow and pull together with Scripture Union, Bible Society, Wycliffe Bible Translators, et al as well as churches to spread God’s Kingdom in this troubled world.

• For students currently in Local Links to hear and receive through people, volunteers, churches and to network with Christians.

• I pray that the warmth of Scottish hospitality and the joy of dancing will be a path to new birth and faithful discipleship for many international students.

• It is my hope and prayer that not just international students, but both natives and international students alike will know and accept the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. It’s my prayer that Friends International will be extended to all parts of the world – not just the UK and Ireland.

• I pray for international students to play an increasingly significant role in growing the church in the UK and then back home in their own cultures.

• My humble prayer – to see international students we met and meet to follow Christ fully and leave to form nations for Christ. To see universities in the UK more open to work with FI. To see FI continuing and growing in the ways of God to do the good work without growing weary and weak, but always strong, going from glory to glory.

• Seeing greater integration of Christian international students, along with all they have to bring us, into churches here – that this would be normal and not the exception.

• Revelation 7:9-10. That there will be international students in this great multitude because they met Jesus and grew to love and serve him because of the work of FI.

• For more international students to be reached by the Holy Spirit and the Gospel. For the Kingdom to keep growing among leaders and shakers.

• A hope that we can continue sharing with international students with no restrictions.

• Could there be a Grand Reunion of past students? Or some other means of sharing the developments in individual lives over the long term? It would reveal how much God’s Word had flourished and manifest itself throughout the world by Friends International, over 40 years until now.

• We have been very encouraged by the number of international students attending our church. Though presently we are involved in another cross-cultural ministry, we look forward to a time when we can be more involved with FI. In the meantime, we continue to make friendships with internationals and share with them, encouraging them to deepen their faith.

• That friends International might continue to grow in God’s strength spreading across the UK into more universities and into colleges and local churches.

• That students gain knowledge, friendship, and faith here, but return to countries where there is not much Christian faith. Praying that they see the truth of Christian faith and its relevance/essential importance to them, and not just a point of cultural interest.

• To see many more international students from especially closed countries being influenced, welcomed, and loved by volunteers. There is a need for more volunteers. Prayer for God’s Holy Spirit to open hearts to the Gospel as friendships are built.

• That Christians can continue to impact the “changemakers” that come to study in Scotland – that they would get to hear about Jesus, and that knowing him would impact business and politics and workplaces around the world.

• Dear Lord, we pray for well-resourced, culturally sensitive, Godly teams of FI staff, volunteers, and Reach workers in each of the education centres in Scotland – welcoming and reaching out to internationals to share Christ’s love with them. Amen.

• Every international student has contact with a Christian and experiences Christian hospitality.

• Dear Lord, we thank you for your faithfulness in growing the world of Friends international in Scotland. We are so thankful for the workers, supporters, prayer warriors, and helpers. We trust in you in all the needs of this work. Can we beseech you for a significant growth in volunteers? That many more can know the joy of international ministry. Amen.

• The political environment and policies change every year. The vision of international student ministry might change as well. In the past, international students might usually have one year in Scotland, but in the future, it may be longer, and it means more opportunities for FI to spend time with them and share the faith. Maybe in the future, we can have a group for international graduates!

• “40 more years.” That any student, regardless of age, nationality, sex, or background can feel at home and loved and prayed for in their adopted home of the UK.

• I pray that more international students can meet Jesus through FI and keep searching for God’s plan in their lives. I pray that many international students would have a very special experience while they are here with FI.

• A prayer for more young Christian people to be involved as volunteers in the FI work in Dundee.

• My prayer is that we might be able to develop a stronger network of cross-organisation resources that will facilitate more international students being discipled in their own languages and effectively prepared for the challenges they will face when they return home.

• In a recent 2025 prayer guide on each day of Ramadan praying for Muslim countries & tribes within those countries, there was a lot of encouragement shared for how people are seeking, including stories of those who had come to know Jesus. I’d love to see if you could try to do the same thing from your knowledge of what is happening back home in some of these same countries (whether Muslim or another faith) with direct testimonies from former students who have been touched by FI here in the UK.

• My prayer is that more international students will join FI and come to know Jesus.

• My prayer is that the nation will remain open and inviting to international churches; that many will take and enjoy the opportunities offered by Friends International and that the seed of the Gospel planted in their hearts will grow to maturity and that they will be wonderful ambassadors for Christ wherever they are.

• In the later stages of life, my husband and I would consider that prayerful commitment is how we can best support the work of Friends International. Financial support is great too.

• That through working with FI, Scottish students would understand that God wants to use them in global mission.

• We offer support to FI by prayer and financial support and a listening ear. It is a great work and happy to pray for it.

• I’m prayerfully hopeful we’ll see more Christian international students going to Muslim majority countries ready to share their faith in Jesus wisely – Malaysia, Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Indonesia.