IT NERDS ON STM

I’m coming back! 

(Mark)

I had the privilege of being part of a volunteer team of three Americans and one Moldovan teaching AI, web development, and cybersecurity to university students and young professionals in a Muslim country, culminating in a hackathon and competition, as well as an open panel discussion on career and life.
This was my second visit, and honestly, I was initially on the fence about going, wondering if I'd have anything new to offer. But experiencing the place and its people is like peeling an onion. Each layer reveals more depth, teaching me about the long game and possibilities for the future.
As a parent, giving back to the next generation is close to my heart, and being able to combine my passions for tech and travel was incredibly fulfilling.

One of the joys was getting to know the students – and it was wonderful to see a surprising number of repeats from last year! This country does not have many natural resources, so building a knowledge economy is strategic. AI is a major focus (e.g. training large language models and building a voice assistant for their language), and we left with follow-up ideas and stronger ties with the local partners.
I urge you to think beyond borders and consider taking a step of faith overseas – you might just find yourself transformed by the experience! 

What Do I Even Know About IT? Not Much and That’s Okay!
(Rob)

This summer, I found myself teaching full-stack web development at a university boot camp—React.js, Django, and OpenAI’s API for GPT-powered functionality. It was seriously cool stuff. I learned the fundamentals of how data moves across applications, but more than that, I was there to build relationships. 

I enjoyed getting to know people’s personal stories, hearing about students crossing the border from the neighboring country every day via taxi because it’s cheaper than living in the town, and others commuting for 2-3 hours because this was the best university they could get into. Many have part-time jobs outside of class to help pay their dues. The most difficult part about it all? The employment prospects are nowhere near as high as American universities. Most students graduate without having completed an internship, so they’re super eager to hear about what work in the “real world” is like. Wow, to think that a white collared desk job could be the topic of interest for the 1400 students at this university!

Coming back to this Muslim country after years away felt surreal. My former connections were through friendships, student ministry, and youth camps. This time, I met leaders at a government-backed high-tech park and connected with AmCham’s network of 200+ businesses. I began exploring how my company could offer workshops, consulting, and hiring pathways.

This place has become such a vibrant country with exciting initiatives that are platforming young people. Eighty-five percent of the population is under 35, and you can see it—youth everywhere at all times of the day, ambitious, hungry professionals eager to shape the future of the country. But they do need help—too many graduates, not enough jobs. The result? Brain drain. Bringing foreign businesses to hire young people here is the way forward, and the cream of the crop talents are truly a joy to be around. I would love to make introductions and continue to be an advocate for the people here.

Yes, That Too Is Missions

(May, staff)

“Helping young people with IT training and creating jobs for them—how is that missions?” a friend asked. She has been faithfully bringing short-term teams to this country for years, supporting churches and NGOs through vacation Bible schools and summer camps. 

The answer is simple: We’ve identified a sector of young people who need the gospel but are not reached through traditional avenues. Some call this “pre-evangelism,” but that’s a misnomer. Any intentional, prayerful effort to build relationships with nonbelievers—especially when they’re meeting their first Christian friend—is part of evangelism. It’s ground zero gospel work.

Paul said, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means, I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel…” (1 Corinthians 9:22–23). If these young people are passionate about IT and see their future in tech, then we bring Christian IT mentors to meet them there—to bless them with what they need and to embody the gospel in word and deed.

We don’t work alone. We partner with local believers and tentmakers who continue the work long after our team leaves. Relationships don’t end when the trip does—volunteers can stay connected through social media, mentoring and coaching from afar. One team member from 2024 recently met up with a student he has been messaging for a year. The student has heard Fred’s testimony. He’s not yet a believer, but he values their friendship. We sow and water, but it is God who gives the growth. 

My friend nodded. “Makes sense,” she said, and invited us to lead a workshop at her church’s missions conference. Her church has many software engineers who have not seen how their skills could serve the Kingdom. But as Mark and Rob have discovered, they too could use the careers God’s given them to bless others and share His love.