Host an International Student for Thanksgiving 2026
WHAT WE’LL DOING:
Saint Luke’s Anglican will be hosting international students from University of South Carolina this Thanksgiving. We are looking for at least ten host homes for our international friends over their Thanksgiving break. They will be here from Wednesday, November 25th (after dinner) and leave after church on Sunday, November 29th. We’d love for the students to spend Thanksgiving with their host family, but we have other options as well. We have activities planned for them from 10 AM to 5 PM on Friday and Saturday, so the host will just need to bring them to church after breakfast and pick them up before dinner. Hosts will need to bring them to church by 9:30 on Sunday, when we will provide a class for them during the time of the Rector’s Forum. They will attend the 10:30 service and then depart for Columbia.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT:
These international students are primarily Ph.D. students who have gone through a rigorous selection process to come to the US. Most of them will go back to their countries and be leaders in their many fields. Unfortunately, only about 20% of our international friends ever come into a home when they’re in the US. Many of them are from countries where the Gospel is not freely proclaimed and they are coming to us! We have a tremendous opportunity to reflect Christ to them and, as God allows, to share truths about Jesus. Holidays are a wonderful time to welcome our international friends into our homes, especially since they are on an academic break and want to visit other places.
We know you will be a blessing to them and we know that you will be blessed by them as you learn about their culture and part of the world. Please contact June Smith for more information. Look forward to seeing what God has in store for all of us at Saint Luke’s through connection with international students.
Saint Luke’s Anglican will be hosting international students from University of South Carolina this Thanksgiving. We are looking for at least ten host homes for our international friends over their Thanksgiving break. They will be here from Wednesday, November 25th (after dinner) and leave after church on Sunday, November 29th. We’d love for the students to spend Thanksgiving with their host family, but we have other options as well. We have activities planned for them from 10 AM to 5 PM on Friday and Saturday, so the host will just need to bring them to church after breakfast and pick them up before dinner. Hosts will need to bring them to church by 9:30 on Sunday, when we will provide a class for them during the time of the Rector’s Forum. They will attend the 10:30 service and then depart for Columbia.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT:
These international students are primarily Ph.D. students who have gone through a rigorous selection process to come to the US. Most of them will go back to their countries and be leaders in their many fields. Unfortunately, only about 20% of our international friends ever come into a home when they’re in the US. Many of them are from countries where the Gospel is not freely proclaimed and they are coming to us! We have a tremendous opportunity to reflect Christ to them and, as God allows, to share truths about Jesus. Holidays are a wonderful time to welcome our international friends into our homes, especially since they are on an academic break and want to visit other places.
We know you will be a blessing to them and we know that you will be blessed by them as you learn about their culture and part of the world. Please contact June Smith for more information. Look forward to seeing what God has in store for all of us at Saint Luke’s through connection with international students.
Schedule of Events
International Friendship Ministry trip to Hilton Head Island, SC
Hosted by Saint Luke’s Anglican
Wednesday, November 25 to Sunday, November 29, 2026
Wednesday, November 25th
Thursday, November 26th
Friday, November 27th
Saturday, November 28th
Sunday, November 29th
Hosted by Saint Luke’s Anglican
Wednesday, November 25 to Sunday, November 29, 2026
Wednesday, November 25th
- 8 PM – Host families meet students at the church/other arrangements
Thursday, November 26th
- Students enjoy Thanksgiving day with their host families or together
Friday, November 27th
- Breakfast with host families
- 10:30/11 AM – Will make arrangements depending upon students’ locations
- Tour of Hilton Head – Harbour Town, Coligny (lunch on own), Coastal Discovery Museum (free – 1 hour max)
- Will have Giuseppi’s pizza either at Shops at Sea Pines or June’s depending upon weather
- 7:30 – 9 PM – Gregg Russell Thanksgiving Concert in Harbour Town
- Hosts can pick students up in Harbour Town at 9:10 OR other arrangements.
Saturday, November 28th
- Breakfast with host families
- 10 AM – Departure from TBD locations
- Tour of Savannah
- Dinner either in Savannah or at hosts/central location
Sunday, November 29th
- Breakfast with host families before departing
- 9:30 AM – Rector’s Forum in Kronz Fellowship Hall – will discuss format of service for congregation and students
- 10:30 AM – Worship service at Saint Luke’s Anglican
- 12:30 PM – Lunch at church before departure – everyone at Saint Luke’s is invited!
How to Sign Up
Please contact June Smith, Missions Committee Chair, for more information:
Phone (803) 528-4098
Email [email protected]
Phone (803) 528-4098
Email [email protected]
Testimonials
Jerry and I had some extended family members and friends for Thanksgiving. We added an international couple to the mix. Everyone truly enjoyed the students that we hosted last year. We were pleasantly surprised by how fun, caring and thoughtful they were. They loved my cooking and were enthusiastic participants in food prep and clean up. We both would encourage everyone to consider hosting. We had a married couple from China. She had converted to Christianity, and I believe after his time here he is strongly considering it. - Jerry and Joyce Johnson
Last year when June asked me to host a foreign postgrad student from China, I was a little hesitant, but it turned out to be such a blessing. My guest, Wendy, was delightful. What an extraordinary life she has already lived. We have stayed in touch by phone and I keep her and her family in China in my prayers. If you host a student or two this year, you will be so blessed! - Roselind Meyer
I enjoyed hosting a graduate student from India last year. One highlight for me came from when we visited after our Thanksgiving meal and shared some things for which we are thankful. One graduate student from the Middle East, who had never left his country before, said he was concerned that he wouldn’t have friends. That was only three months ago. He then motioned to all of us (hosts from Saint Luke’s and the students) and he said, “Now I have all these friends,” and he smiled! - Jennifer Thompson
Last year when June asked me to host a foreign postgrad student from China, I was a little hesitant, but it turned out to be such a blessing. My guest, Wendy, was delightful. What an extraordinary life she has already lived. We have stayed in touch by phone and I keep her and her family in China in my prayers. If you host a student or two this year, you will be so blessed! - Roselind Meyer
I enjoyed hosting a graduate student from India last year. One highlight for me came from when we visited after our Thanksgiving meal and shared some things for which we are thankful. One graduate student from the Middle East, who had never left his country before, said he was concerned that he wouldn’t have friends. That was only three months ago. He then motioned to all of us (hosts from Saint Luke’s and the students) and he said, “Now I have all these friends,” and he smiled! - Jennifer Thompson