Hola! Namaste! Sawa-deeka! Bonjour! Salam! Jambo! Ni hao!


How beautiful is our world – full of diversity in language, tradition, and expression! In creation, God has made us unique and yet we are the same… made in the same image. One of my favorite songs is “Please Come” by Nichole Nordeman – the song is a reflection of Christ’s open invitation to all and an acknowledgment of the world’s tendency to divide.

I yearn for the day when we no longer define people in terms of “us” and "them”… when the “others” become our brothers and sisters. Thus, I find great joy in facilitating opportunities to bring students of all backgrounds together to sit, eat, sing, laugh, talk – and sometimes climb, swim, dance, and run! – getting to know one another.

I believe that my generation (throughout the world) is looking for genuine relationships and purpose, and here at the Wesley Foundation we strive to maintain an environment where students are included, challenged, and – most importantly -  loved. We do our best to foster an environment where the lives of students of all backgrounds “bump and blend” with the lives of others… allowing God, through His grace, to mold and make us more like Him!

As the Coordinator of International Student Ministries at the Wesley, I am blessed to have the opportunity to learn every day from people around the world and to share faith and life in all their complexities, yet to also share the simplicity of the life of Christ and of the Gospel -- love God, love people... what a joy to call this my "work."

Grace and peace,
Janina Graves*

Phone: 405-372-5830
Email: osuwesleyinternational@yahoo.com

Note: *Janina is financially and prayerfully supported by the First United Methodist Church of Frederick, OK. As Paul declared to the church of Philippi, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now..." Janina is so grateful for Frederick FUMC's commitment to mission and their belief in and support of her!