Susan Gnadou-Zabo
France welcomes international students!
France ranks fifth in the world as a country that welcomes the most international students. Students mostly come from countries where the gospel is either prohibited or limited.
In 2020, 358,000 internationals studied in France. For some students, their year abroad will be the first time they will meet a Christian and hear the gospel. For others, living abroad will mean making personal decisions about relationships and spirituality. For students already following Christ, they will have an opportunity to love and serve the global church, and to deepen their faith in the midst of change. Living abroad is an enriching experience, but not one without challenges!
iConnect was launched in Paris (2016), as part of GBU France (Groupes Bibliques Universitaires). In 2021, iConnect started to expand to other parts of France as well.
Giving every international student in France the opportunity to have a Christian friend and to know Jesus Christ
A heart for the foreigner
Susan initially came to Paris with Relay Homestart (IFES). She meant to stay for 2 years, but God had other plans (including her meeting and marrying Guy-Steevy)! Through her journey, God has given her a heart for the foreigner. This led her to become a staff worker full-time, responsible for pioneering international student ministry (ISM) within the GBU.
iConnect’s vision
“To give every international student in France the opportunity to have a Christian friend, to know Jesus Christ and to be transformed by the Gospel, so that they can then serve the Church and have an impact on society for the glory of God.”
Recruiting and equipping
Originally from Scotland, I grew up in France with missionary parents. Once I graduated from university, I got a first taste of student ministry in Dundee with the RELAY programme run by UCCF (The Christian Unions). In 2014, I decided to serve in student ministry further afield and have been with GBU France ever since.
As National Coordinator, my role includes:
- encouraging and equipping Christian students to reach out to internationals on their campuses, through training and personal contact.
- developing ISM across GBU France, recruiting and supervising new iConnect volunteers.
- continuing to ensure the running of the Paris iConnect team, recruiting new team members, providing training and general support.
