MTP 58: Jane Zhang Part 1, How God's Love Embraces International Students Apart from Performance

Dr. Jane Qiong Zhang is a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida. In this episode, she shares her powerful story of moving from China to the U.S. for graduate school and encountering the love of God in a small, remote town. She opens up about her early struggles with performance-based identity, the life-changing moment she embraced God’s unconditional love, and the creative ways she now makes her faith visible to students inside and outside the classroom.

Read more about Jane Zhang online:
 https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/qiong-jane-zhang/

Main Takeaways from the Interview:

• Jane came to faith in a remote Bible study group in Michigan—proof that God can reach people anywhere.
• A turning point in her spiritual growth came when she realized she didn’t need to perform for God’s love.
• She creates simple yet bold opportunities for faith conversations with students through office décor, classroom discussions, and prayer.
• International students are still open to the gospel—but motivations have shifted over the years.
• Students, even non-believers, appreciate and receive prayer more often than we think.

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