More than 170 to participate in service trips around the world during Spring Break
March 3, 2010
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications (417) 865-2815, ext. 7292
Springfield, Mo — More than 170 Evangel University students, faculty, staff and alumni members will be participating in service trips around the world during Spring Break, March 5 – 13. Twelve groups will be traveling in 10 countries.
Bahamas
A team of five will be traveling to Georgetown, Bahamas, where they will be helping a new church connect to the community. The team, led by Missionary-in-Residence Rich Smallie, will be speaking on the streets of the city and to classrooms in the public school system. The team will also be offering a discipleship course to new believers on prayer and worship.
England
A team of 12 will be traveling to Birmingham, England, where they will be working with Sheldon Community Church. During the week, the team will hold five school assemblies and four afterschool sessions in primary schools. They will also be working with children and youth programs at three different church services. The team, led by Jeremy Harris, associate professor of computer science, and Dr. Colleen Hardy, professor of education, will also spend two days in London, where they will visit two castles and other area sites.
France
A team of 11 will be traveling to Paris, France, with leaders Brandon Schmidly, assistant professor of philosophy, and Dr. Robert Turnbull, professor of French. The team will be working with a new English-speaking international church by working at the facility and inviting members of the community to the inaugural service that will be held at the end of the week.
Guatemala – two teams
A team of seven is traveling to Guatemala City, Guatemala, where they will be partnering with Convoy of Hope to help alleviate hunger. The team, led by Dr. Mark Maynard, professor of business, will be implementing business plans to help make the Teen Challenge center self sustaining through woodworking and gardening.
A second team of seven, led by Dr. Jeff Fulks, director of graduate and professional studies, is traveling to Guatemala City, where they will be working with missionaries Dave and Debbie Amsler to provide ministry to schoolchildren. The team will be doing six presentations each day for the schools.
India – two teams
A team of 11 pre-med and nursing students is traveling to India, along with Dr. Michael Tenneson, professor of biology, and a group of medical professionals. The team will be providing medical care to people in underserved parts of India.
A team of six will be traveling to New Dehli, India, to volunteer with Rescue Arts, which uses creative arts for healing with survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse. The team, led by Donna Trower, administrative assistant for LifeWorks, Evangel’s Center for Leadership and Life Calling, will be assisting with art projects, office work, and graphic design, as well as leading creative sessions.
Jamaica
A team of 12, led by Ashley Pritchett, information technologies specialist, will be traveling to Christiana, Jamaica. They will be working to improve an orphanage by building and painting, and they will be going into four area schools to make a character education presentation in assemblies for elementary and high school students. They will also be teaching children through a Fruit-of-the-Spirit-themed program and in-depth devotionals for older children.
Kenya
A team of 14 , led by Dr. Grant Jones, professor of psychology, will be traveling to Nairobi, Kenya, where they will hold counseling skills training for university student leaders and church staff members, as well as two days of clinical and psycho-educational work with 70 orphans. The team will also be providing clinical work and career/profession identification work for 90 high school students from the largest impoverished community in Africa.
Netherlands
A team of nine, led by alumna Marla Cantwell, will be flying to Amsterdam, Netherlands, and traveling throughout the country with Save Europe’s Children. The team will be performing the musical drama “The Puzzle,” a play that teaches children the love of Jesus through putting together pieces of a puzzle.
Nicaragua
A team of six will travel to Managua, Nicaragua, to assist missionary Noemi Caiazzo in community service efforts with a missionary-run clinic and feeding centers. This trip, which is the first sponsored by the professional studies program, will be an educational opportunity, and some students will earn class credit while they serve. Lisa Tyson, academic advisor for professional studies, will serve as team leader and Dr. Robert Bartels, associate professor of international and multicultural studies, will serve as sponsor for the trip.
Three groups travel within the United States
• The 48-member concert orchestra, led by Dr. Larry Dissmore, professor of music, will be ministering and performing in Missouri, Colorado, and Nebraska.
Evangel’s CROSSwalk student ministry organization is sponsoring two teams to work with churches through citywide church services, as well as music and drama. These trips are planned and led by students.
- Drive will be performing in Daytona, Fla. This 13-member group is led by junior Samantha Smith.
- H20 will be performing in Ridgeland, Miss. This 15-member group is led by junior Jessi Pohlhaus.
For additional information, contact Bethany Benson at 417-865-2815, ext. 8526.