Jerry and Gwen Gibson, Assemblies of God world missionaries, have been appointed as the new directors for Chi Alpha International Student Ministries. Working in partnership with Chi Alpha and U.S. Missions, they will be responsible for ministry to the 721,783 international students and scholars coming from most nations of the world to study at U.S. colleges and universities.

The Gibsons have been missionaries with A/G World Missions since 1989. They spent eight years in Mexico City where their central focus was working with student leaders and church leadership development. Their efforts involved working with youth and student ministries and pioneering campus outreach ministries on 11 different university campuses in Mexico City. That ministry continues to grow with national leadership now in place and Jerry serving as advisor.

The last four years, Jerry has served as the director of Special Projects for Latin America and the Caribbean, traveling throughout the region providing youth and leadership training. He is also active in the Assemblies of God World Missions Commission on Student Ministries.

In 2003, Jerry earned his Master of Science in Administrative Studies with an emphasis in Organizational leadership from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Gwen became a Registered Nurse in 2002 with a desire to work in compassion ministries.

"The Gibsons' educations and cross-cultural experiences with world missions, university ministry and leadership have prepared them for this vital role," says Dennis Gaylor, national director of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries.

Jerry says his passion is that "every student on this planet receive a viable witness of who Jesus Christ is and His eternal purposes. Reaching international students is a Kingdom command. They are here, they are among us, and we must find a way to communicate the life of Jesus to them."

"Ministry to international students is an integral part of our university ministry," says Gaylor. "Where else in the entire world but the university campus can you find so many future leaders concentrated in one place? Also, these future leaders are in a setting where they are open and able to freely consider the claims of Christ -- and more likely to find Christ than even in their home country!

"According to George Barna, a noted researcher," Gaylor adds, "In His wisdom and compassion, God has brought the mission right to our door and affords us the outreach opportunity of a lifetime."

The Gibsons have three grown children: Bethanee, 22, a recent graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon; Tyler 20, attends Southeastern College, Lakeland, Florida; and Daniel, 18, who will be attending Northwest College, Kirkland, Washington, this fall.

For more information about Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, see http://www.chialpha.ag.org/ or call 417-862-2781, ext 1425.