History and Purpose

The Pathways ministry began in 2002 as a result of a few volunteers motivated to help foreign students in need of advocates and support in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. 

The phenomenon of international students coming to America to augment the local workforce as a boon to our economy and a learning experience for them began in the late 1990's with just 50 students from 5 countries coming to work during the tourist season in the summer. Now more than 2500 students from more than 50 countries are recruited annually by foreign agencies year round.

"BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH."  

PSALM 46:10

Pathways is exclusive to the Outer Banks.  We do not recruit this workforce; we have simply react to the opportunity God has presented to us in our own corner of the world. 

Many of these international students are away from home for the first time.  Our staff and volunteers act as advocates and mentors as the students orient and navigate in a new culture and country.  These young people from around the world are a bright, hard-working, and a dependable workforce.  They often come with an inaccurate vision of us and our country.  We view this as a God orchestrated opportunity to us to love our neighbors and serve Him by serving them.

Our mission is to make the most of this opportunity by demonstrating the love of Christ as the "world" comes to us cloaked in the work/travel program.  At the same time we assist employers in many ways, helping them to develop a well-balanced and productive workforce.  We assist homeowners to provide housing for students. Regardless of their spiritual beliefs, we serve each student that comes to us to the best of our ability.  We treat each of them with equality.

If you would like to help with the Pathways ministry and be a part of this wonderful opportunity right in our own neighborhood, please contact us at info@pathwayshouse.org or call at 252-255-0042.