“If the Christian Studies Program does not start this year, you can forget about it!” That is what the dean of a university in West Africa told a group of Canadian Global Scholars professors who had worked for three years to establish a department of Christian Studies at his institution. The scholars had worked together with representatives of the country’s evangelical minority to design a program that would be a recognized voice for the Gospel in the small nation’s only university.

The new year is a fresh opportunity for many of us to create space to assess the past and plan for the future. Thinking about 2018, I intend to learn from my mistakes. But more than that, I want to see the Spirit’s hand at work in my life, and in and through Global Scholars. What God is doing seems so unusual I cannot wait to share what is on the horizon!

It is with gratitude and thanksgiving that the Global Scholars team wishes you and yours a wonderful Christmas season. Without Christ being born as one of us, there would be no reason to celebrate, for we would have no hope. Nor would we have any reason to take Christ to the nations. The birth of Jesus of Nazareth changed all that!

For this issue I've asked Dr. Osam Temple, Global Scholar's Regional Representative in Africa, to reflect on two important gatherings he recently attended in West Africa. Thank you for making the ministry of Global Scholars possible!

Serving in a university as a lecturer, researcher, or administrator is one of the most influential professions in the world. Every day around the world millions of people--not only students--look to university professors for advice, insight, hope, and inspiration. Global Scholars and those who partner with us recognize the great potential for good and harm, truth and falsehood, even life and death that resides within everyone who accepts the mantle of a professor.

Today marks the 17th anniversary of one of the most tragic days in American history. On this day in 2001, a terrorist organization that called itself Al-Qaida launched a coordinated attack on the United States. The attack left about 3000 innocent and unassuming victims dead.

As university students worldwide embark on a new school year, we want to give you a snapshot of the work of two Global Scholars who are married, Dalton and Kerri, who serve in a closed country in Asia. Thanks to your partnership, they make an impact daily among their students and colleagues, and in their university.

Janic is a Christian professor in Poland. He wants to be an ambassador for Christ among his students and colleagues. He also wants to influence his entire university and academic discipline with the message of Christ. If Janic, and the many other Christian professors worldwide, are salt and light in global higher education, the world will be changed!

May and June are the months of graduations. Beyond those you received invitations to, there was a historic graduation you played a role in but did not attend. This graduation, among many others, is a sign of God’s sovereignty and a product of your investments in Global Scholars.

This week, on Thursday, May 3rd, throughout the United States, believers will gather in schools, offices, churches and homes to pray together. We are thankful for the freedom to meet in this way, for we remember that our brothers and sisters in other countries cannot gather publicly. Please pray with us as we serve God for the advancement of His kingdom.