The Story Behind the Luther Seminary International Students’ Association (ISA)
The inspiration for the International Students’ Association (ISA) came during a visit to George Floyd Square on April 23, 2023. Standing there with my mentor, Rev. Jon Anderson, and his wife, I found myself reflecting on the stories of loss, resilience, and hope represented in that sacred space. It was a moment that gave renewed clarity to a vision I had carried for some time: creating a community where international students could engage thoughtfully with the American context while sharing their own stories, cultures, and experiences. As an international student, I had become increasingly aware of both the opportunities and challenges of studying in a new country. I believed that international students needed more than administrative support; they needed a community of belonging where friendships could flourish, cultures could be celebrated, and difficult conversations could be approached with humility and mutual respect. Rev. Jon Anderson encouraged me to pursue the vision, offering both mentorship and unwavering support as the idea began to take shape.
The vision was further strengthened through conversations with Professor Samuel Zalanga, who shared my passion for fostering intercultural community and affirmed the importance of the initiative. Around the same time, during regular prayer gatherings known as “Altar Hour,” I shared the vision with a friend, Alyssa, who eagerly joined the effort. Together with Chantal, whose heart for leadership and inclusion complemented our vision, we formed the first leadership team. What began as the International Cultural Club (ICC) gradually evolved into the International Students’ Association (ISA) as we discerned the importance of creating a community specifically dedicated to the needs and flourishing of international students while remaining open to collaboration with the wider seminary community.
With the encouragement of mentors such as Rev. Jon Anderson, Professor Samuel Zalanga, Professor Leone, and the support of Luther Seminary’s leadership, ISA officially began its journey. On January 28, 2024, the association inaugurated its first elected leadership team, marking the beginning of a sustainable student-led ministry that continues to serve the seminary community. Looking back, I see ISA as much more than an organization. It became an expression of my conviction that the gospel calls us to create communities of belonging where people are welcomed, heard, and equipped to flourish together. The experience deepened my appreciation for intercultural ministry and continues to shape my commitment to reconciliation, hospitality, and leadership development within the Church and society.
The Story Behind the 'I Am Black' (IAB) Ministry
The I AM BLACK Ministry emerged from a season of profound theological reflection, spiritual discernment, and a growing conviction that the gospel calls the Church to reconciliation through truth, faithful stewardship, and the affirmation of every person’s God-given dignity. During my studies at Luther Seminary, I found myself wrestling more deeply with questions of identity, history, justice, and the relationship between faith and culture. Courses such as Thinking Theologically, together with my engagement with James Cone’s Black Theology and Black Power, challenged me to consider how the Christian faith speaks to the experiences of Black and African people while remaining firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those theological reflections were accompanied by lived experiences. Encounters at George Floyd Square, conversations with mentors and fellow students, and a growing awareness of political and social developments across Africa and the African diaspora convinced me that the Church has a unique responsibility to participate in God’s reconciling work. I became increasingly convinced that reconciliation requires more than good intentions; it calls us to recover forgotten histories, celebrate God’s gifts within every culture, and cultivate communities where people can flourish together in Christ. Out of these convictions, the I AM BLACK Ministry was established to reconnect, reconcile, and resource Black and African people through Pan-African heritage, faithful stewardship, and God-centered solidarity.
While the ministry intentionally serves Black and African communities, its vision extends beyond any one people or culture. I believe the whole Church is enriched when Black voices, histories, cultures, and theological contributions are received as gifts that deepen our worship, broaden our theological imagination, and strengthen our common witness to the gospel. Through leadership development, theological education, Heritage Hour conversations, public engagement, advocacy, and community partnerships, the ministry seeks to cultivate faithful Christian leaders who love Christ, serve their communities, and contribute to the flourishing of the global Church. At its heart, I AM BLACK is not simply about identity; it is about discipleship. It is an invitation to know both who we are and whose we are, so that together we may participate more faithfully in God’s reconciling mission for the world.