Allison Schafer

Allison SchaferThe culture I hail from: United States

Books, Musicians, or Movies that have shaped me: Bruchko by Bruce Olson, Rich Christians in the Age of Hunger, Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper,

How and why I'm interested in cross cultural mission: In high school my appetite was whet for crossing cultures during two mission trips to the Dominican Republic. I left for Central College in Pella, IA intending to major in Biology and go into a medical career, but God had much different plans for me, as I discovered passions in the Spanish language and in cultural anthropology. My four years at college developed the foundations of my interest in cross cultural ministry.

During my years in college, my cultural anthropology classes connected me with the Sudanese refugee population. For two year I spent time building relationships and doing informal and formal interviews with the Sudanese about their life experiences and culture. The summer before my junior year, I had the opportunity to go to Cairo, Egypt on a mission trip with InterVarsity to work with Sudanese refugees. The following semester I studied abroad for six months in Spain and had rich opportunities in crossing-cultures as I lived with a Spaniard family and integrated into the community. While I was there I had the opportunity to do a short cultural exchange and home stay in Morocco.

The last year of my college career, I spent investing in the lives of international students at Central College that were mostly from Muslim countries. This past year I have been doing a ministry internship with InterVarsity working among international students at Washington University in St. Louis. Through this internship God continued to ignite my passions to be in cross-cultural ministry. God has clearly shown me that right now I am called to use these gifts and interests in crossing cultures in the United States. I now am accepted onto full time staff with InterVarsity for the next four years, working among international students.

One of the biggest things I've learned by living missionally/hanging out with internationals: As I work among international students, my heart is to be culturally relevant to each student. As an American working among many different cultures, that puts me in an interesting place of intense learning. I have been reading resources, learning from students, and going through training sessions on specifically what it means to contextualize the Gospel in a number of cultural contexts.  

Where I'm going and what I'm doing: I will work with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship with international students on the campus of Washington University. One of my roles will be in co-directing the student leadership team of Christian international students. Another role will be in partnership with students as we provide a place on campus for Christian international students to deepen their relationships with the Lord and provide a place for non Christians to explore the Christian faith through investigative Bible studies.

God is at work with International Students and I am part of this: God is at work equipping the Christian international community to become an effective witnessing community among other internationals and Americans at Washington University. I am part of this as I disciple students and invite them to join me as we engage with non-Christian students in dialogue about Jesus.

One thing I wish people knew about cross cultural mission/living missionally: It is incredibly refreshing and helpful to enter into a cross-cultural relationship with a learner attitude.  When we are able to peek out of our American bubble into the life and thoughts of another individual from a different culture we have the potential of enriching our lives and altering some of our paradigms about life. As I interact with people from various cultures I am able to see the Body of Christ in a larger context.

What I am doing is a part of the Global Church Body AND the American Church Body: Our desire is to see lives changed, campuses renewed, and world changers developed. Internationals students today are the future world leaders. As students leave our InterVarsity group at Washington University, some return to their home countries having deepened their commitment to Christ with desire to impact their community. Other students have encountered Jesus for the first time and enter continue in the process as they consider who Jesus is and what Christianity is all about. Our InterVarsity chapter has the potential of making great impact in equipping the Global Body.

What our group is doing on campus is part of the American Church Body by sharing cross-cultural tools.

What it means for me to partner with The Journey: Partnering with the Journey means not only financial partnership, but spiritual partnership. This past year I have been incredibly supported by involvement in the home community groups and being part of the Journey Kids.

More Info on what I'm doing:  If people would like to be on my prayer list mailing or get in touch with me they can email me at