CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO TRAVEL
TO NEW YORK, TEXAS, NICARAGUA AND NORTHERN IRELAND
OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK FOR MISSION WORK

By Meredith Coffey, Campus Times staff writer

 

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Small groups of Campbellsville University students will be traveling to New York, Texas, Nicaragua and Northern Ireland over Christmas break to do mission work. The trips in the United States will be Dec. 12-19, 2009, and the international trips will take place Jan. 4-15, 2010.

“One of our strategies in praying about and planning mission opportunities is to provide possibilities in our version of  ‘Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost,'” said Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries.

“This Acts 1:8 strategy, coupled with motivation from the Great Commission, is the perfect framework for us. Our hope is that students will develop a worldview for ministry/missions…that their growth in Christ will enable to see needs and then act to meet those needs.”

The mission trip to Texas will take place in Arlington. Campbellsville University mission teams have worked with “Mission Arlington” for 12 years.

Most of the work they will accomplish there is helping people in need by working  through a program called “The Christmas Store” which coordinates the distribution of clothing, food, furniture, toys and many more items. The mission teams will have an opportunity to talk to the people who come to the program about Jesus Christ, Pavy said.

New York is a new location for the CU mission teams. Most of the work will take place in local food pantries. The team will also focus on ministry in the city and do odd jobs that may be needed during their time there.

The two trips in the U.S. focus more on community service kind of ministry while the trips to Nicaragua and Northern Ireland focus more on teaching conversational English, leading Bible studies, working in a coffeehouse, or speaking in local schools while sharing their faith at the same time.

In Nicaragua, there is a program that the students will be working with called “1,000 pairs of shoes.” Students will assist in giving away shoes to those in need.

In Ireland, students will be involved with “Project Evangelism,” a multifaceted ministry including speaking about American culture/traditions/history at local school assemblies while sharing their relationship with Jesus Christ.  Traveling out of the U.S. will allow the students to see first-hand how the locals live while ministering among them in the best way they possibly can.

Traveling in the U.S. is, comparably, less expensive compared to the other two mission trips. Each student is responsible for the funds needed during the mission trip.  Each team works together to raise money by having events like car washes, yard sales, gift wrapping presents at Amazon, helping with banquets held on campus and also sending letters asking for donations to their family, friends and churches.

“When first coming to CU, many students don't plan to have this experience, but after they experience mission work, it is worthwhile,” said Pavy. “The trips expand your world view and help you realize how far a little help can go.”

Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 3,006 students who represent 97 Kentucky counties, 30 states and 37 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2010 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South, tied for fifth in “most international students” and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in baccalaureate colleges in the South. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.