Host an International Student for Thanksgiving 2025
WHAT WE’LL BE DOING: Nov. 26 - Nov. 30:
Saint Luke's Anglican will be hosting international students from University of South Carolina this Thanksgiving 2025. We're recruiting at least 10 host homes for our international friends over Thanksgiving break. The international students will be here from Wednesday, November 26 (after dinner) and leave after church on Sunday, November 30. 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 the international students 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 at 9:30 AM on Sunday, where we'll provide a class for them during the time of the Rector’s Forum. They will attend the 10:30 AM service and then depart for Columbia.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT:
These international students are primarily Ph.D. students who've gone through a rigorous selection process to come to the United States. Most of them will go back to their countries and be leaders in their fields. Unfortunately, only about 20% of our international friends ever come into a home when they’re in the U.S. 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'll be a blessing to them... and they to you... as you learn about their culture and part of the world. We 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 2025. We're recruiting at least 10 host homes for our international friends over Thanksgiving break. The international students will be here from Wednesday, November 26 (after dinner) and leave after church on Sunday, November 30. 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 the international students 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 at 9:30 AM on Sunday, where we'll provide a class for them during the time of the Rector’s Forum. They will attend the 10:30 AM service and then depart for Columbia.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT:
These international students are primarily Ph.D. students who've gone through a rigorous selection process to come to the United States. Most of them will go back to their countries and be leaders in their fields. Unfortunately, only about 20% of our international friends ever come into a home when they’re in the U.S. 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'll be a blessing to them... and they to you... as you learn about their culture and part of the world. We 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 - Hosted by Saint Luke's Anglican
Wednesday, November 26 to Sunday, November 30, 2025
Wednesday, November 26
* 8 PM – Host families meet students at the church
Thursday, November 27
* Students enjoy Thanksgiving day with their host families or another host family
Friday, November 28
* Breakfast with host families
* 10:30/11 AM (TBD with hosts)– Host families bring students to Saint Luke’s
* 7:30 PM – 9 PM – Gregg Russell Thanksgiving Concert in Harbour Town
* Hosts can pick students up in Harbour Town at 9:10 OR
* 9:30 PM – Host families will pick students up at Saint Luke’s
Saturday, November 29
* Breakfast with host families
* 10 AM – Host families bring students to St. Luke’s
* May stay in Savannah for dinner (TBD with hosts)
* 8:30/9 PM – Host families will pick students up at Saint Luke’s
Sunday, November 30
* Breakfast with host families before departing
* 9:30 AM – Class for international students during time of Rector’s Forum (possibly in M&M building)
* 10:30 AM – Worship service at Saint Luke’s
* Likely will have sub sandwiches at church before they depart
Wednesday, November 26 to Sunday, November 30, 2025
Wednesday, November 26
* 8 PM – Host families meet students at the church
Thursday, November 27
* Students enjoy Thanksgiving day with their host families or another host family
Friday, November 28
* Breakfast with host families
* 10:30/11 AM (TBD with hosts)– Host families bring students to Saint Luke’s
* 7:30 PM – 9 PM – Gregg Russell Thanksgiving Concert in Harbour Town
* Hosts can pick students up in Harbour Town at 9:10 OR
* 9:30 PM – Host families will pick students up at Saint Luke’s
Saturday, November 29
* Breakfast with host families
* 10 AM – Host families bring students to St. Luke’s
* May stay in Savannah for dinner (TBD with hosts)
* 8:30/9 PM – Host families will pick students up at Saint Luke’s
Sunday, November 30
* Breakfast with host families before departing
* 9:30 AM – Class for international students during time of Rector’s Forum (possibly in M&M building)
* 10:30 AM – Worship service at Saint Luke’s
* Likely will have sub sandwiches at church before they depart
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 from 2024
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