Please join us to hear a special message from Lisa Espineli Chinn.
LISA ESPINELI CHINN is originally from the Philippines and first came to the US as a graduate international student at Wheaton College, Illinois (MA in Communications). She served for 14 years as the National Director of International Student Ministry (ISM) of InterVarsity/USA (2000-2014) where she integrated her rich and varied experiences as an international sojourner, as a a campus staff worker with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship-Philippines and InterVarsity/USA, a certified cross-cultural trainer, Bible teacher, a pioneer of several ministries in the Philippines and the USA, an author, and speaker at various college events and conferences, including Urbana’03 and Urbana’06 (InterVarsity USA’s Missions conference). Under her leadership, the ISM department grew in its outreach among internationals and attracted young and talented staff on her team. She also introduced new initiatives which included the International Students Track at the Urbana Student Missions Conference.
She is a pioneer and thought leader in international student reentry and has authored various reentry publications and resources which include a new and expanded version of Think Home, a reentry guide for Christian international students, Back Home, a devotional guide for those who have lived and studied abroad, and Coming to America/Returning Home to Your Country. She also developed the only reentry simulation game, Customs and Culture. She has done numerous Cross-Cultural Transition seminars for international students and short-term missions in the US and overseas.
In 2010, she was awarded the prestigious Hugh Jenkins Award for Excellence in Community Programming by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Lisa, together with her husband, Leiton founded T.I.P.S.– Truro International Programs and Services, the 34– year old international outreach of Truro Anglican Church in Fairfax, Va. She also helped other churches start their international student work in the greater DC area. Lisa was an “unintentional” church planter, having started a church from her neighborhood Bible study group.
Her leadership extended to serving on the boards of the Associations of Christians Ministering Among Internationals (ACMI), Balikatan, Inc., an organization of Inter-Varsity Philippines alumni in North America, and Hope International, a microfinance ministry granting loans to help the poor in 12 countries. Lisa is on the Advisory Board of the Global Diaspora Network of the Lausanne Movement.
Growing up in the Philippines as one of seven children, she learned the value of faith, hard work, sacrifice, community and relationships. She is married to Leiton Chinn from Hawaii and have 3 married children. She enjoys time with her 6 grandchildren (Kai, 10; Leila, 8; Kade, 6; Penny, 6; Max, 4; Harper, 2). Lisa and Leiton live in Indian Land, SC and are active members of All Saints Anglican Church in Charlotte, NC.
Currently, Lisa is serving part-time with InterVarsity/USA mentoring senior leaders as well as leaders from other organizations. She also ministers as a cross-cultural trainer, church mission conference and college chapel speaker and global ISM consultant.