Outreach Focus

Trinity supports a variety of ministries and organizations in Lincoln throughout the year. The Outreach Focus includes four different areas: Learn, Pray, Give, and Serve. Information about our Outreach Focus can also be found in the Narthex at Trinity Lutheran Church and on our social media.

International Students, INc.

Mark and LEanna Meyer

March & April 2025

Learn

Hi, my name is Mark Meyer, and I grew up on a farm near Pierce, NE. Now I work to build relationships and share the gospel with students from some of the least reached countries of the world. So how does a farm kid from a small town in Nebraska become a missionary? Here is a bit of my story.


Growing up, I rarely met anyone from a different country. It wasn’t until I came to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that I began to meet students from other countries. I attended the Lutheran Chapel and would see many Chinese students coming to join us for English classes and Bible studies. While I was willing to tolerate them, my heart was not yet drawn to know them and share the gospel. God still needed to do some work in my life. 

Perhaps like many college students, I was trying to figure out who I was in college. My faith kind of got put on the shelf and I looked to things of this world to satisfy me. I tried partying, drinking, relationships, etc. hoping to find the thing that would satisfy my heart, but in the end, all of these things left me more empty and broken. It was in the midst of this brokenness that God placed a couple of amazing Christian guys in my life who began to walk beside me and point me to Christ. I began to see the gospel in a new light and to realize Christ came that I “might have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10).

When your life and heart are transformed by the gospel, something inside you changes and you want others to hear this good news as well. I began to attend a Bible study with Chinese students, and for many of them, their heart was like a blank slate. They too were looking for something to fill them. What a joy it was to begin to walk alongside them, to share the beauty of Christ with them, and to see God at work in their lives drawing them to Himself!  This was the beginning of the call God placed on my life.


Mark Meyer
Email:  mmeyer@internationalstudents.org

PRay

  • International students would get connected to a Bible study or build a friendship with an American Christian so they might hear the gospel.
  • God would raise up more volunteers to build relationships with international students.  
  • God would raise up Mark and Leanna's full funding for ministry so they might be able to focus on serving and reaching international students.
  • We may love and serve international students in such a way that they would be drawn to know more about this Jesus whom we love and serve.

GIVE

We love to serve international students in tangible ways. Items we are always in need of include:  bikes, furniture (beds, desks, chairs, kitchen tables and chairs, coffee tables, lamps, etc.), winter coats, and kitchen items (dishes, plates, towels, cups, silverware, pots and pans).


Trinity supports Mark Meyer and his ministry through a monthly giving envelope. You can contribute to Mark’s ministry either through that envelope or through the Outreach envelope. If you would like to become a monthly supporter of Mark and his ministry with International Students, Inc, you can give at:  www.internationalstudents.org/team/mark-meyer.

SERVE

Monthly Gatherings: Once a month, we share a meal with around 100 international students with some activities and speakers. This is a great chance to meet international students and connect with new friends. Bring a dish of food to share and have some fun!

Upcoming monthly gatherings:

  •        March 7th at 6 pm at Capitol City Christian at 7800 Holdrege Street.
  •        April 4th at 6 pm, at Sower Church (2640 R St.).
  •        May 2nd at 6 pm, Location TBD.

Friendship Partners/Mentors: We are always looking for individuals willing to reach out to an international student and potentially build a friendship with them.