CHRISTIAN REFORMED
One of the international dinners
sponsored by Hessel Park Church
Campus Outreach: Ministry to Internationals
(with special focus on the Japanese)
Because a significant part of our mission is to serve University of Illinois students, faculty, and staff and their families, we feel called to be especially attuned to the special need to be hospitable and welcoming to the many members of the international community who live temporarily or permanently in Champaign-Urbana. A special focus that has evolved in the past few years is a ministry to Japanese students. This ministry has developed into a major focus for Hessel Park Church.
Eriko Ishitsuka, who is from Japan and is a graduate from the University of Illinois with a degree in music, has led our ministry to Japanese students, faculty and spouses. She leads a regular bible study in Japanese and coordinates periodic dinners for international students. Eriko is an unpaid volunteer for InterVarsity and continues working with IV's ministry to internationals (see below).
International Friendship LinkWith Eriko as the liaison, members of HPC partner with International Friendship Link (IFL), a campus ministry that reaches out to international students and scholars on campus and in the community. IFL hosts a variety of friendship-building activities to welcome and connect internationals with each and with Americans, as well as Bible studies for believers and seekers. Volunteers often provide rides and food for those events, as well as host international students to their homes occasionally.