The Be Well Support Network, an initiative of College Park Seventh-day Adventist church in Adelaide, is entering its seventh year of service to the international student community in South Australia. In the past six years we have offered support to more than 5000 students.
The program started in April 2020, when the COVID lockdowns had been instituted and all tertiary educational programs closed. Casual employment opportunities ceased and students faced being away from home with no income and in total social isolation. Many experienced anxiety and stress that affected their wellbeing. Today, new students come in contact with Be Well within days of their arrival in Adelaide by word-of-mouth invitations.
Be Well’s primary focus has been on providing practical support through meals, English courses, cultural activities, camps and social events. Many of the international students regularly experience financial hardship, food insecurity and social isolation while living away from family. Many say that Be Well is their family while they are away from home. It is a real blessing to hear the testimonies of so many of these individuals, who often state that they were able to realise their educational goals because of the support they had received from our program.
One student wrote, “I couldn’t have survived if not for Be Well. I am still in touch with all the friends I met through Be Well Network.”
Be Well has received wide recognition within the Adelaide community and has stood out from many other community programs in South Australia because of its multifaceted approach.
This is beautifully reflected in another letter from a recent graduate: “I basically survived during my uni days on the groceries I received from Be Well. I also had the chance to experience many activities, picnics, river sports, made apple juice, had wood oven pizza and, most importantly, I learned the importance of community and how we can express kindness and love to one another. . . I would like to try to be as kind and caring as you people are and to contribute back to the community as you have done.”
Some students experienced health and family emergencies which disrupted their study plans, but even in these dire circumstances the Be Well program fundraised for their medical treatments, helped them return home, and provided them with emotional and spiritual support.
The College Park church has invested many financial and human resources to make Be Well accessible to all. Teams of volunteers prepare and serve meals every week. Others collect and sort pantry items—on average more than a tonne of food each week. Each Sabbath as we look over the audience, half of all the worshippers are Be Well participants. On Sabbath mornings and afternoons groups of students gather for Bible studies and discussion sessions. Over the past 12 months these groups have completed the study of Mark and are now continuing on to Genesis. It is an absolute joy to see the interest, engagement and spiritual growth in the life of all these participants.
A visiting parent from South America joined our weekly activities for a few months, and when it came time to farewell him, the father said, “I have not been a religious person; in fact I’ve been very sceptical about organised religion. Since coming to Adelaide and becoming a part of this program my views have changed. I see here the Christian gospel in action. I value the friendship and sincerity with which your church has provided support to the international student community.”
Several students, prior to returning to their home country, have requested baptism and are now worshipping in Adventist churches in their countries of origin. Significantly, in most of these instances, the interest in church attendance and baptism came not on account of our church volunteers inviting the students to join, but the students asking if they could join our church community and participate in our worship and Bible study program.
In going forward with our mission we see God directing and blessing us every step of the way. We praise God for His abundant love and grace and ask for your prayers and ongoing support.
Dr Marek Jantos is the coordinator and convenor of the Be Well Support Network in Adelaide, South Australia.
