Charles Reilly,
Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs,
College of Engineering and Computer Science,
University of Central Florida
[March 25, 2014]~~
International students represent one of the best investments a university can make in creating a better world. As a Christ-follower for thirteen years and a university faculty member for over twice that long, I am convinced of the eternal value of reaching out to international students on my campus.
They come to our schools from all over the globe to study engineering, science, and other fields that can improve the temporal conditions in their home countries. Many have stayed in the USA, while others have returned to their homelands ready to make differences there.
This past New Year’s Eve, I had the unique opportunity and privilege to serve international students in a different way. At the Bridges Winter Conference in Daytona Beach, I led a seminar for international students considering careers in academia.
A Professor’s Platform
Joined by colleagues, Tom Owens of UCF and Marc Compere of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, we shared our personal faith journeys along with specific ways we have been able to use our platform as professors to share the gospel story.
In God’s amazing providence, each of us had a different story to tell about how we came to faith. One had been a believer since childhood. Another came to faith through a campus ministry. Personally, I came to faith in Christ as a tenured professor—under some fairly unique and personally challenging circumstances.
After we shared our stories and recounted how we lived our lives out as committed Christ-followers and professors, our moderator opened the floor for questions. The international students asked several very good questions.
A Critical Question
The most memorable question came from a Christian student from South Asia. He indicated that he was having a hard time deciding: Should I continue to pursue advanced degrees and become a professor or should I become a full-time missionary? This was a question I have often considered myself.
An Amazing Opportunity
I responded that he absolutely should become a full-time missionary if he believes God is calling him to do that.
But then I described how the following week, as a Christian professor, I would be standing in front of about 1,000 engineering freshmen, including some from other countries. While the topic will be engineering, the message of Jesus will be communicated in my conduct and in my integrity and, as the Lord allows, through the journey of faith that I am privileged to share with my students.
A hush fell on the room. Many realized anew the awesome privilege we have as professors.
God has positioned us to share the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness. Our integrity, character, conduct, professional competence, and personal faith story are important in reaching an audience that perhaps might never be reached in any other way. Each of us is a special kind of missionary, deployed for God’s divine purposes.