Founded in the second half of 2015, the first international fellowship in Hainan -- Haikou International Christian Fellowship (HICF), consists of overseas students who advance to either Hainan University, Hainan Normal University or Hainan Medical University.
The students come from eighteen countries including the United States, Russia, Canada, Poland, Ukraine, Ghana, Nigeria, India, Nepal and Thailand.
Before the foundation of the fellowship, a few foreign students from the Medical University were unable to understand the message of the Chinese Sunday service in Haixiu Church due to the language barrier. In the early days, they depended on self-nurturing and attended the Bible study in groups in the dormitories. With more overseas students joining, the church was gradually aware of the guidance from God -- establishing the international fellowship and holding an English service every Sunday afternoon. The idea was supported by the church and approved by all the members of HICF. Currently, the English service has been conducted steadily for almost one year.
Considering that the fellowship's members come from three different colleges, the church talked with the local public transportation department to open a special bus line to ensure that members could arrive in the church on time. The members of HICF have enjoyed the transportation convenience since the last year. In the future, a new line or additional buses will be opened according to the number and need of the church.
The members actively participate in the church activities and perform a program popular among the audiences on Christmas each year. Besides, more than 30 members contributed a lot to the relocation of the church. The fellowship has also organized Chinese and foreign believers to visit children in a welfare home on the eve of Children's Day and camps for Chinese and foreign young believers to strengthen understanding and connection to the Lord between Chinese and foreign Christians.
Regarding its vision, the brothers of the fellowship say, "We heard that there was no believer in this country before going to China, but we see many children of God in Haixiu Church who love God, church and us. We believe that a group of God's children from different countries can worship God together, which is the guidance from God. It is worthy of more gratitude for us to join in Haixiu Church. Despite the fact we will return to our motherlands after graduation, we hope HICF become a home to a stream of believers of Jesus Christ from the world who study abroad and work in Haikou!"
