February 28, 2008
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications, 417-865-2815, Ext. 7292
Springfield, Mo. — At least 203 Evangel University students, faculty and staff members will be giving their time in service during spring break, Feb. 28-March 9. Sixteen different groups will be traveling to 11 foreign countries and across the United States.
“A good percentage of our student body will be practicing what we teach — the integration of faith, learning and life,” said campus pastor Sid Griffith. “They are giving their spring break to meet the needs of the less fortunate.”
The teams will travel to Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. “These trips give students the opportunity to travel, learn about other cultures and serve people who need help,” said Sandy Friesen, LifeWorks coordinator of church ministry opportunities.
Evangel’s LifeWorks, The Center for Leadership and Life Calling, has partially funded these trips.
A team of 15 is taking a medical service trip to El Salvador, where they will bring medical care to people in the San Salvador area. The trip is co-sponsored by Springfield-based HealthCare Ministries.
Dr. Mike Tenneson, biology professor and premedical advisory committee chair, is traveling with 14 health professions students from Evangel. The team will be working with Assemblies of God missionaries Don and Terri Triplett; Don is a 1974 Evangel graduate.
A team of 14 is going to Brussels, Belgium, where they will be working at Continental Theological Seminary and assisting at Convoy of Hope–Europe. Led by sophomore Brandon Barron and Dr. Steve Smallwood, associate professor of theology, they will also participate in campus ministry at the University of Brussels.
A team of 15 is going to Punta Arenas, Chile, where they will be working with children in apartment complexes and schools. They will be distributing school supplies that have been donated by Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse International Relief ministries. The team is led by senior Sarah Hogan, sophomore Catherine Caiazzo and Dr. Jeff Fulks, professor of social work and chair of Evangel’s Behavioral Sciences Department.
A team of six will travel to Birmingham, England, where they will speak at assemblies and teach at several area public schools, children ages 5-11. They will also serve at Sheldon Christian Fellowship. The team is led by junior Lauren Sprotte, sophomore Mary Sprotte and Dr. Geoff Sutton, associate professor of psychology.
A team of seven will help at the International Church in Athens, Greece, working with local university students, under the guidance of Alaine Buchanan, adjunct professor of theology. Student leaders are Ashley Higgins and Alesha Ebeling, both juniors.
While in Christiana, Jamaica, a team of 17 will work at an orphanage, teaching the children through puppets, drama and games. The team is led by Donna Trower, administrative assistant in LifeWorks, Evangel’s Center for Leadership & Life Calling. Student leaders are senior Michael Clark and junior Janelle Marengo.
Using outdoor activities such as hiking, a team of six will travel to Southeast Asia to share their faith. Assistant Professor John Plake is the team sponsor.
A team of 10 will tour throughout Macedonia, performing a 55-minute musical drama titled “The Puzzle,” to tell children about God. The team is led by senior Miranda Dement, junior Jessica Johnson and Donna Copeland, administrative assistant in Evangel’s Graduate Studies School Counseling Program.
A team of six will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico. Led by senior Stacey Ferguson, junior Emily Blake and Evangel alumnus Nate Moore, the group will serve in construction, street evangelism and children’s ministry.
A team of eight will travel to the Philippines to assist Builders International and help with the Blatchey’s Family Circus. Team leaders are freshman Victoria Gregory and Brian White, residence director of Lewis Hall.
A team of nine will travel to Madrid, Spain, to make a recruitment film in mockumentary form for International Media Ministries. They will be led by senior Alyssa Rigden and Dr. Cameron Pace, chair of Evangel’s Communication Department.
Evangel’s CROSSwalk student ministry organization is sponsoring four teams to work with churches through community service, as well as music and drama. These trips are planned and led by students.
For additional information, call (417) 865-2811 and contact Holly Richardson at ext. 8526 about logistics, or Sandy Friesen at ext. 8525 for philosophic questions.