One of the Spring Break service trip teams traveled to Turkey, where they toured historic biblical sites and taught English to local students. Four continents. Nine countries. Fifteen teams.
From Springfield, Missouri to the other side of the world, more than 150 Evangel University students of a variety of majors participated in Spring Break service trips this month to spread the gospel and encounter other cultures.
Most of the trips were sponsored by Global Connections, the cross-cultural awareness program that is part of Evangel’s Frameworks curriculum. Spring Break trips are designed each year to help strengthen students’ spiritual formation as they experience global cultures, learn about other perspectives and worldviews, and actively participate in service and ministry projects. CROSSwalk, Evangel’s student ministries organization, helped organize and lead many of the trips.
“Spring Break trips enable students to live out Evangel’s mission of integrating faith and career,” says Alli Fontaine, Global Connections logistics coordinator. “We desire that the students develop lasting relationships with their team members and sponsors, gain a greater perspective of the world and differing cultures, as well as make an eternal impact on those they meet and serve while traveling.”
Senior Becca Clark, who served as the student leader on a trip to San Paulo, Brazil, said it was gaining a new perspective on how other cultures worship that made the trip a powerful experience for her. “It was encouraging to see that even though cultures are different, the message and the power of Christ is universal,” she says.
Becky Spain (center), director of retention, and freshman Briana English led a team of six to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where they participated in service projects and outreaches with a local church.Clark’s group of 11 Evangel students and faculty worked with a children’s street ministry in San Paulo.
She says the team found the passion the Brazilians have for prayer, worship and service to be powerful – though they sometimes express it in unique ways. “One thing that was different was that at church they greet one another with a hug and a kiss,” she said. “It wasn’t hard to adjust to because we could see the love of Christ shining through the people.”
For many of the students, like freshman Jami McConnell, this Spring Break service trip was their first experience traveling overseas.
McConnell, who traveled to Wales, says her trip was incredible and inspiring – the best first-time experience she could have asked for.
“Our encounter with the culture of Wales was very special because we were not just observing the way these people live from a distance,” McConnell says. “We were able to develop relationships with many people, which is the primary form of witness in Europe. You must develop relationships with people before you can really begin witnessing.”
Sarah Kempski, a junior, also left the country for the first time over Spring Break on a trip to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She and her team spent a few days in the homes of some Dominican students, which she says were small and had very few amenities compared to homes in the United States.
While Kempski says a few cultural changes, such as not using running water or being able to flush toilet paper, took some getting used to, she experienced some of the nicest people she had ever met.
“It’s one thing to learn about Dominican culture from articles and textbooks, but it is completely different to be immersed in it,” Kempski says. “Seeing what little some have is heartbreaking, but at the same time it’s amazing to see their happiness and joy despite their difficulties.”
Senior Jeremy Crabtree’s trip to Turkey was also his first time overseas. He had desired to get out of the country amd experience another culture for a long time, but never had the chance. “The most impactful part of the trip was connecting with other university students and building relationships with the locals.”
Other students, like Briana English, freshman, have had several cross-cultural experiences, but find that they learn something new every time. English was a student leader for the Dominican Republic trip. She says the entire team formed a valuable chemistry as they worked together and encouraged each other.
“None of us were friends prior to this trip, and now I cannot imagine not having them in my life,” she says.
English says one highlight was when the team held an altar call at the end of an assembly at a public school, and children responded. She said, “Just knowing that we were able to help expand the kingdom of God was reason enough to deem it a success. God was able to use us, and that was the whole reason for the trip.”
Broadened perspectives, new relationships, changed lives – all over the world. That is what Spring Break service trips are all about.
See photo blogs of the Spring Break service trips at the Evangel Undergrad Facebook page.
– By Ian Richardson, a junior English major from Afton, Iowa
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