Shining a light: Teams prepare to spread the gospel during Spring Break
Posted by The Skyliner on February 18th, 2009Kaelyn Pfenning
Copy Editor
Four mission teams from North Greenville University plan to leave the country over spring break.
“I think [the mission trips are] going to give us some amazing opportunities to share the gospel,” Dr. Allen McWhite, director for global missions, said.
The media mission trip to India fulfills a class requirement. The other three L.I.G.H.T. team trips include the destinations of Ecuador, Honduras and Hungary.
“North Greenville gives us the opportunity to get to visit several different places throughout the world and share the gospel, so it is definitely worth spending the money and taking your spring break to go if you feel like God desires for you to,” Anna Goff, junior secondary education/mathematics, said.
McWhite and Jamie Benedict plan to lead eighteen students through the jungles of Ecuador.
“This trip is going to be unlike any trip I’ve gone on before,” Erica Leon, junior broadcast media/theatre, said. “We’ll be in the middle of a jungle most of the time, ‘roughing it’ a lot.”
The Ecuador team plans not only to venture through the jungle but also to interact with children in the villages.
“I am most excited about spending time with the people of Ecuador, especially the children,” Addie Ridgeway, junior early childhood education, said. “I am an education major and I love being with children.”
Some students anticipate a new experience while others look forward to returning.
“I cannot wait to go back,” Grace Twitty, junior biology, said. “I am so excited about all that God is going to accomplish.”
Language, food, evangelism, weather, personal gifts and flight arouse anxiety for a number of students embarking on the spring mission trips.
“This is my first time on a plane and out of the country,” Danielle Russell, junior early childhood education, said. “The biggest thing I am worried about is flying, mostly because I am scared of heights.”
Despite some fear and anxiety, most students express excitement over the opportunity to serve God and other people.
“Even though it’s going to be a huge culture shock, I’m excited about my team and how the Lord is going to use us in Ecuador and also what he is going to teach us,” Jordan McDowell, junior early childhood education, said.
“I am so excited about meeting the people and spending time with them,” Kayla Bradley, sophomore psychology, said.
In addition to the Ecuador trip, Wes Warren and Burl Walker plan to take eight students to Honduras in order to work at a camp.
“I am looking forward to meeting the teenagers that will be at the camp and sharing God’s word with them while experiencing a different culture,” Rachel Burgess, freshman early childhood education, said.
The theme for the camp encompasses purity, and the NGU students anticipate God’s hand at work.
“I am most excited about building relationships with the team and with the teenagers we will be working with,” Keris Patterson, sophomore Spanish, said. “I can’t wait to see how God works in their lives as we talk about purity the whole week.”
The team members expect God not only to work in the youth’s lives but also to work in their own lives.
“I think it is going to be an amazing opportunity, going to a different country, getting to witness to these lost people, having our faith tested and trusting in the Lord for his will to be done,” Hope Bannister, sophomore youth ministry, said.
Anxiety and excitement blend together as students await their departures early in March.
“I’m very anxious,” Michael Anderson, senior business, said. “This is my first time leaving the country, but I wish we were leaving tomorrow.”
North Greenville University provides mission trips over spring break, summer and Christmas for any students interested. The trips introduce students to missions and help them share the gospel with others.
“I think it’s a great idea that NGU offers mission trips through the school,” Katie Dorsett, freshman early childhood education, said. “It’s a great way for students to get connected with missions.”
Five students, lead by Mike Landrum, comprise the final L.I.G.H.T. team, heading to Hungary. The team plans to teach English during the day and to host an English club at night to interact with the people.
“This is a time when we have an opportunity to share the Gospel, because the children are coming on their own time to this club,” Jordan Sain, sophomore elementary education, said.
One of the many benefits of mission trips noted by the students traveling over spring break involves refocusing.
“I know that so often because of school, we forget about what really matters in life, which is worshipping and loving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Karianne Hart, junior biology, said.
Many team members encourage those who plan to work, relax and do other activities over spring break to pray for the NGU students leaving the country as well as for the people living in foreign countries.
Tags: Spring 2009, Vol. 108 - Issue 4