Lessons in patience

The international students at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas, have one thing in common—they’re all outsiders. That gives them a “common bond,” said Rod Bevan, the city director at the campus ministry International Students Inc. (ISI).

That bond grew even tighter throughout 2025 as the students faced revoked visas, new visa review processes, and changing work visa costs. All of the students felt a shared anxiety, Bevan said. Some skipped visiting their home countries during the summer for fear they might not be able to return. Others worried they wouldn’t be able to earn their degrees. Those who hoped to stay in America feared their job opportunities were disappearing.

Amid this, Bevan said, ISI offers students a message of hope rather than despair. “None of this has taken God by surprise,” Bevan said. “He’s got a plan, and it’s going to be OK.”

ISI is just one campus ministry navigating ways to serve international students amid the uncertainty caused by the Trump administration’s restrictions on student and employer visas.

Though early reports indicate the overall number of international students dropped 19% at the start of the school year, campus ministry leaders from across the country say the numbers vary school to school. But they all agreed: Now more than ever international students need a message of hope.

Sharon Kim, a network director at Acts2, said visa program changes have especially affected students from China.

In May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States would move to “aggressively revoke” visas for Chinese students. But President Donald Trump later walked back that stance and said he plans to issue 600,000 visas to Chinese students over the next two years. The State Department has so far revoked about 6,000 student visas, citing concerns over academic espionage, support for terrorist groups in Gaza, and criminal activity. Before the start of the school year, the State Department announced expanded screening for visa applicants, including social media surveillance.

“Students are way more stressed. They feel uncertain about the future,” said Kim, whose ministry works in 32 schools across the country and primarily serves students from China. “They feel like, well, I can study hard, and then I could try to graduate and get a good job, but even then, I don’t know if I can get a visa here.”

In September, the administration imposed a $100,000 fee on H-1B work visa applications in an effort to reduce the number of foreign-born U.S. employees. It previously cost employers between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire international students.

Kim said the strain has been most noticeable at “high-caliber schools” like the University of California, Berkeley, or Northwestern University.

The worry over shifting visa policies means students have a lower bandwidth for spiritual curiosity, Kim said. They often prioritize school work over attending ministry events, including weekly Bible studies.

“Back in the old days, they would find our Bible study to be welcoming: food, good friends, and Americans who want to help them,” Kim said. “But we are finding that even though they had a good impression, they’re too busy.”

Acts2 especially emphasized its ­mentorship program last semester to give students a place to talk with ministry leaders about their struggles.

Romero Isa, a volunteer for the Acts2 ministry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), said he helps struggling international students by understanding their concerns. Isa, originally from Indonesia, studied at UIUC and now works as a software engineer.

“I try to help these students by just sharing my experience of how God has worked in my life and hope that it can encourage them,” Isa said.

Dave Mennen is a national field director at Bridges International, a branch of Cru. He said its ministry ­definitely has seen a decrease in students during the fall semester, especially those from India. That matches national statistics. Indian student visas reportedly dropped by 44.5% in August compared to the same time last year.

Mennen said the dip likely stems from administrative delays. The Trump administration paused and then revamped the student visa interview process, leading to long waits for students who needed to get appointments at embassies or consulates prior to starting classes.

Despite the overall drop, Mennen said Bridges saw high numbers of international students involved in both domestic and overseas mission trips last summer. Mennen is optimistic that Bridges’ current dip won’t last long.

David Rau, co-director of International Student Ministry (ISM) at the Navigators, said the 48 campuses where ISM works seem to have a “slower” student turnout this year. Rau said Navigators didn’t have official ­student involvement numbers for the fall semester yet, although staff have reported a drop. But that just gives staff another chance to minister and share God’s love with students.

“Whether our government is one thing or another, that’s not the point,” Rau said. “The point is, are we loving them and welcoming them and helping serve them and embrace them while they’re here so they experience the love of Jesus?”