by Hannah Fair, Public Relations Writer
Cedarville’s global outreach program will send 16 teams of more than 150 students, faculty and staff members around the globe during spring break March 3-10. Five teams will serve stateside, while 11 teams will travel internationally in the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Teams will build homes and other structures, put on vacation Bible schools (VBS), offer youth ministry and camps, provide medical and dental care, and offer athletic training and nursing services; all while sharing the gospel with those they serve.
The trips are being funded, in part, from the annual Missions Conference offering that raised $13,600. Also, a Resound Radio fundraising campaign has raised additional funds for these global outreach trips.
“These students are choosing to give up their spring break to serve God and minister to others,” said Brian Nester, director of global outreach. “The students’ commitment is evidence of the heart of Cedarville University, and our drive to see others come to know Christ.”
The international team traveling to Cotacachi, Ecuador, will be led by Priscilia Gonzales, who grew up there as the daughter of missionaries.
“I have always loved serving there,” explained Gonzalez, a junior majoring in nursing. “We will focus on children’s ministry with VBS-like programs, but we will also visit public schools where we will share the gospel with the student body.”
The team will work mostly with indigenous groups in mountain communities.
“In Ecuador, we will be partnering with my parents and their ministry,” said Gonzales. “God has been stretching me in new ways at Cedarville University and preparing me as I help the team be better prepared for the ministry.”
Another team will serve in Clarkston, Georgia, a city known as the most ethnically-diverse square mile in America. Most of Clarkston’s residents are refugees from more than 100 different ethnic groups globally.
Senior accounting major Kurtis Dupree is returning to Clarkston for the second time. On last year’s trip, he ministered to many people with challenging personal stories, and he is excited to see how God will use him again on this trip.
Below is a list of the planned spring break global outreach trips:
● Atlanta Refugee Ministry through Clarkston International Bible Church
● Baptist Children's Home in St. Louis, Michigan
● Inner City Impact in Chicago, Illinois
● New York City Outreach through the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association
● Service Over Self in Memphis, Tennessee
● Dominican Republic Dental and Medical through SCORE International
● Ecuador through Word of Life Ministries
● Eleuthera, Bahamas through North Texas Mission
● Haiti through Bethesda Evangelical Mission
● Honduras through Medical Ministry International
● Ivory Coast through Baptist International Missions, Inc.
● London through Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU)
● Malawi Passion Center in Zomba, Malawi
● Mexico MK Camp through Puebla Christian School, Commission to Every Nation
● Middle East through Athletes in Action
● Peru through Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel (AMG)
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,963 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.