Feb. 10, 2011
For Immediate Release

Campbellsville University values having ‘missionary kids' as students

By Natasha Janes, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Throughout the past, Campbellsville University has had students whose parents are doing mission work and they chose CU as their home, possibly their first time living in the United States.

Mission work and servant leadership are major components of a Christian's walk with the Lord. Many families make a decision to go to other countries to be missionaries and when the time comes, a college age student must make the decision of where he or she wants to attend school.

Cole Torbert, a junior at CU, is one of the students on campus who comes from a missionary family. Torbert's family served with the International Mission Board for five years in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and four years in Mexico City, Mexico.

Torbert said, “Campbellsville University has been the perfect place for me. The smaller campus and smaller classes have helped me readjust to life in the United States. CU has helped me grow spiritually, academically, and personally. I have met some of the best friends in the world here and have been permitted incredible opportunities.”

Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries at CU, said, “Having missionary kids at CU is a double benefit. They receive the benefit of continuing their education at a school which not only proclaims its commitment to Christ but lives up to that commitment. We receive the benefit of having students on campus who can aide us in developing and maintaining a broader world view. After all, Christ lived and died for the world and not just our part of it.”

Part of Campbellsville University's mission statement is to “prepare students as Christian servant leaders for life-long learning, continued scholarship, and active participation in a diverse, global society.” This is something that could attract “missionary kids” to Campbellsville University.

Torbert said, “Because I lived out of the country, I was not able to explore and tour many schools, as many high school students are able to do today. However, after visiting only two colleges, I came to tour CU. The second I stepped foot on to campus, I knew I was where God wanted me to be.”

Matt and Jessica Egbert are students at Campbellsville University whose parents, Bill and Linda Egbert, are presently missionaries in Costa Rica.

Matt, a senior, said, “I believe CU provides a great atmosphere for missionary kids because the university is very international-friendly and missions-oriented. From the campus' ethnic diversity to the numerous mission trips sent around the world, missionary kids feel right at home and can merge back into the American way of life with greater ease.”

Jessica, a freshman, said, “Campbellsville University is a wonderful school and everyone is very friendly and welcoming. I am having a great experience and meeting friends that will last a lifetime.”

Campbellsville University strives to be welcoming to all prospective students and works very hard to satisfy the needs of all the students. For this reason, students that come from a missionary background are welcomed and valued at CU.
Torbert agreed. He said, “Campbellsville University is definitely a place for missionary kids to find their calling in life as well.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.