Studying abroad can be both an exciting and bewildering experience at times!  Each year approximately 2,000 international students, visiting scholars, and their families make Athens their temporary home while attending The University of Georgia.  Our church’s International Student Ministry seeks to create a welcoming environment that provides opportunities for scholars and their families to become better acclimated to American culture, to experience Christian hospitality through regular social events, and to learn more about the Christian faith.  We do this through a variety of activities:

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• International students and their spouses are invited to join us each week for Bible study on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. in room 255 on the second floor of the main church building.  After a general assembly, the class divides into two study groups.  One group focuses on basic Christianity and is geared toward those who are interested in learning more about the Christian faith, while the other group is for believers who desire to grow in their faith while living in another culture.  Transportation from campus is available.  Please contact Lynn Bryant at Athens1stism@aol.com or 706-202-9017, if you need a ride!

• International students and their families are also invited to participate in the following weekly worship services:
  • Our Regular Services are held in the main sanctuary at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., or 11 a.m.  These are traditional worship services with a message by our senior pastor.
  • Our Contemporary Worship Service is held at 11 a.m. in Hancock Hall (the church’s fellowship hall).  This is a student-oriented ministry with contemporary worship music by the Praise Band and a message by one of our associate pastors.
  • UGA Wesley Foundation at 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings at 1196 South Lumpkin Street (across from the Georgia Center).  This is a service of worship, fellowship, prayer, and teaching for all UGA students.
  • International children are invited to participate in one of our regularly scheduled Sunday school classes for children each week at 9:45 a.m.
  • Nursery care is provided for children ages infant to four-years-old during each of our Sunday morning Bible study classes and worship services.  Childcare is not available during the evening services held at the Wesley Foundation each Wednesday.
• International Students are invited to join our International Friendship Program.  We will assign each participating student to a Christian family from our church or to an American college student from either our church or the UGA Wesley Foundation for the purpose of friendship and cross-cultural exchange.  This  American friend will:
  • Invite their new international friend to meals in their home, to favorite restaurants, to cultural events, or just to spend time doing things they enjoy on a monthly basis.
  • Maintain phone, email, or contact on Facebook regularly throughout the school year.
  • Accompany their international friend to regularly scheduled ISM social events on occasion.
  • Occasionally accompany their international friend to regularly scheduled ISM social events.

To download an application form for international students, please click here.  Return completed forms to Lynn Bryant at Athens1stISM@aol.com or mail them to her at P.O. Box 1109, Athens, GA 30603. 

Note for American Friendship Partner Volunteers:  Church members and UGA Wesley Foundation students may obtain a volunteer application form by emailing Lynn Bryant at Athens1stism@aol.com or calling the church at 706-543-1442.   

Special Note:  Friendship Program Orientation for American volunteers will be offered on Sunday evening, August 30 and September 13 this fall.  Please contact Lynn for additional information.

• International students and their families are invited to join us for monthly fellowship events and trips.   Events scheduled for spring and summer semesters include:
• Saturday, May 23 – Canoe Trip down the Broad River
• Saturday, June 13 – Day trip to Stone Mountain
• Saturday, July 4 – Independence Day Parade and Picnic at Victoria Bryant State Park
• Saturday, August 15 – Trip to Stone Mountain Laser Show for New Students
• Monday, September 7 – ISM Labor Day Cookout at Watson’s Mill State Park
• Friday, September 25 – Pizza Welcome Party and Game Night at the Church
• Thursday, October 8 – Snack & Chat in Hancock Hall
• Saturday, October 24 – Mountain Trip to Helen, Anna Ruby Falls, and a Corn Maze
• Thursday, November 5 – Snack & Chat in Hancock Hall
• Monday, November 16 – International Student Life/ISM Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
• Friday, December 4 – Annual Christmas Dinner and Tree Trimming Party
• December 26 – January 1 – Florida Christmas Conference

• Please contact Lynn at Athens1stism@aol.com for additional information about any of these opportunities.  All international students are encouraged to join the UGA Network on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com and to submit an online request to join our ISM group, Athens First United Methodist Church International Student Ministry, in order to keep abreast of ISM activities and to view group photographs, etc.  International students and interested church members or Wesley students may also request to join our list serve by contacting Lynn.     

• Are you a first-time visitor to our site?  If you are a UGA international student, please complete our Semester Survey (click here).  If you are a member of Athens First UMC or the UGA Wesley Foundation, please complete our Volunteer Survey (click here).  Thanks so much!

 
For additional information or assistance, please contact: 

Mrs. Lynn Bryant, Director       
International Student Ministry
Athens First United Methodist Church
327 North Lumpkin Street
P. O. Box 1109
Athens, GA 30603
706/543-1442, ext. 303
Email:  Athens1stism@aol.com

For additional information or assistance, please contact:

Mrs. Lynn Bryant, Director
International Student Ministry
Athens First United Methodist Church
327 North Lumpkin Street
P. O. Box 1109
Athens, GA 30603
706/543-1442, ext. 303
Email: Athens1stism@aol.com