At Global Scholars, one of the most powerful ways professors bear witness to Christ is through how they live and treat others. Sometimes it is their words that plant seeds of faith; other times, it is simply their kindness and respect that speaks volumes in academic settings where status and hierarchy are so important. I was deeply encouraged by a recent report from Fred, one of our professors in Europe, about his visit to East Asia, and how his example is still bearing fruit after many years.
Fred was invited to East Asia by his former postdoctoral student, Jian. Fred has shared Christ with him many times over the years, even witnessing Jian experience miraculous healing when he cried out to Jesus. Though Jian has not yet decided to follow Christ, he is now an important professor at a prestigious science institute in East Asia.
When Fred arrived in East Asia for a conference, he was surprised by how much attention he received. Students and staff crowded to meet him, and one young woman even brought a gift to thank him. Confused, Fred asked Jian why. Jian explained that in his country, professors are typically treated with great deference and rarely show kindness in return. But Jian had chosen to lead differently because of Fred’s influence. He told colleagues, “My boss in Europe was a Christian. He treated everyone with love and respect, and I want to do the same.”
Because of this, Jian’s students and colleagues wanted to meet the man whose example had shaped their professor. The young woman who gave Fred a gift told him her own supervisor was harsh and unkind, but she often found encouragement from Jian. Her gratitude was really for the Christ-like influence that Fred had shown years earlier.
Another remarkable moment came when Jian’s secretary approached Fred. In carefully practiced English, she said, “I am a Christian.” Those were some of her only English words, but she wanted Fred to know. At the end of the conference, she asked to pray with him and called Jian over to translate. How incredible that God has placed a believer right alongside Jian, and that Jian himself is open because of the witness he experienced through Fred.
Stories like this remind us that the seeds Christian professors plant can bear fruit in ways we never expect. Thank you for standing with Global Scholars. Please pray for Jian, that the kindness he has experienced would lead him to Christ, and for his secretary, that her faith would grow strong. And pray for our professors around the world, that their daily witness would continue to ripple outward in surprising and powerful ways.
For Christ and the university,
Stan
The italicized names have been changed to protect privacy.
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