BISC@50
Come and celebrate BISC’s 50th anniversary with us on Saturday 23 May 2026!
We’re excited to be celebrating 50 years of serving international students in Bristol, one of the first cities in the UK to launch a ministry and service specifically for international students.
On Saturday 23 May, we will be holding an International Service of Christian Thanksgiving and Celebration at 2.30pm at Woodlands Church. Everyone is welcome, there is no charge but please book your free ticket so we can manage numbers.
Thanksgiving Service ticket - Free (sign up here)
From 5pm till 8.30 pm, we will hold an international hot buffet and Ceilidh, to celebrate and raise important funds for BISC’s future work.
Full price ticket – £15
Student/child ticket – £7.50
There will be more opportunities to donate on the day. See also our website for other ways to donate to BISC.
Bristol's international student ministry began during the 1970s, when international students were starting to come to the UK in larger numbers. At this time there was little in place to support those coming from overseas to study, so a group of local Christians sought to fill the gap by offering hospitality in people's homes.
50 years later, the ministry of BISC continues to thrive, offering Christian welcome, hospitality, friendship and community to students coming from all faith backgrounds. Over the decades, students have found a sense of belonging, while far away from home, at BISC. And local people across Bristol have in turn been blessed by welcoming students from across the world to Bristol. Cross-cultural friendships have been forged, language barriers have been broken down, and the love of Christ has been witnessed to thousands of international students.
50 years later, the ministry of BISC continues to thrive, offering Christian welcome, hospitality, friendship and community to students coming from all faith backgrounds. Over the decades, students have found a sense of belonging, while far away from home, at BISC. And local people across Bristol have in turn been blessed by welcoming students from across the world to Bristol. Cross-cultural friendships have been forged, language barriers have been broken down, and the love of Christ has been witnessed to thousands of international students.
