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.

If you were to sit down with a few of our Global Scholars professors, what would they share? In addition to stories about their families and backgrounds, they would probably share about a sincere desire to see their students, colleagues, universities, and nations redeemed and renewed by the gospel.

“How can Christian students meet one another and non-Christian students experience the love of Christian community in this closed Islamic country?” This is the question “Paula” and her husband have been asking since she began teaching at the nation’s leading university five years ago.

Rebecca is from Maiduguri, Nigeria—the home of Boko Haram, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced over 2.3 million others since 2002. Rebecca experienced much violence herself growing up there. She grew up in a largely Muslim family, but came to faith in Christ and decided to study theology. One of her professors was Wendy, a Global Scholar.