Spring Break Mission Teams depart for ministry
March 24, 2008
Student mission teams began leaving campus as early as 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, to spend Spring Break miles away from Corban. The last team pulled away from Schimmel on Friday afternoon, March 21. Destinations for the group of over eighty travelers this year included Italy, Peru, Mexico, Los Angeles and Utah.
 Students heading to Utah are (back row): Dustin McNab, Jeremy Costales, David Collett, Nathan Tennis, Joel Cruz; (front row) Alyssa Terterud, Katie Westerberg, Jessica Simpson. |
“Please pray for each team—that God will use them to glorify His Name and bless the people to whom they go,” Jim Morris, Student Missions Advisor, asked of the Corban community early in March. “Pray for adequate funding, spiritual preparation, team cohesion, protection in travel, good health, blessing in ministry, wisdom in all they do, and a safe return.”
A group of thirty team members gathered Tuesday evening, March 18, for group presentations and prayer before their departures began later in the week. Although the meeting was led by students, Morris was there to offer encouragement from Scripture—specifically on prayer--and last-minute advice.
“This year they are going to the ‘old’ places,” said Morris. He recalled other years when teams also went to New Orleans, the Philippines (2007), and Thailand (2006).
As of this morning, Morris reported that from information he had received, the teams had arrived at their destinations safely and were “going strong, doing what they set out to do.”
Throughout the semester, students and faculty have been the focus of fundraising activities by the various teams. Invitations to eat at local eateries, boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts for sale, a spaghetti feed at a nearby church and singing telegrams have all been part of the efforts to raise funds. Finances came in for most of the teams, with only a couple shy of their needs. Morris related that one team with an excess planned to help with the shortage.
 Members of the Italy team took advantage of Valentine’s Day with their singing telegram fundraising event. Singers are (back row) Connie Pollard, Audrey Wheeler, Blaine Bartlett, Carissa Holtmeier, Kcenia Anderson; (front row) Jessica Robinson and Nakiva Cleveland. |
“I tell them as long as 90% of their support is in, they can go ahead,” said Morris, who served as a missionary to Thailand for 40 years with his wife, Louise. “The rest will come. It always has. It’s amazing how God provides the funds for these teams to go. Sometimes it’s pretty nip-and-tuck, but the Lord supplies.”
“I’ve never seen a team not able to go because of lack of money,” said Courtney Dodds, admissions counselor and veteran of three years on the Los Angeles team as a staff person. She said she helped the team get ready this year since LA “has a special place in my heart, having invested in it before.” She and Daren Milionis, Director of Career and Academic Services, prayed with the LA team members just before they left on Friday afternoon.
“It’s a smaller group overall this time, but those who are going are fervent and very dedicated,” he pointed out. Morris met with each team prior to their departures in addition to Tuesday night’s prayer gathering.
Leaders in each team have all had previous experience in the particular country to which they are going. And although Corban staff may not accompany each team, Morris said a mature person is responsible for leadership of the group.
“Once teams arrive at their destination, an established ministry group receives them,” he added. “No one just ad-libs it out on the field. They’re not alone.”
 Peru team members, Madison Lewis and Erin Kropf, pray together at a gathering for all mission teams Tuesday, March 18, in the Emitte Center. |
“I’ve been very impressed with Corban students,” remarked Morris. “It takes a lot of work ahead of time to do the fundraising and prepare for the ministry they’ll be doing. I have a lot of faith in these young people!”
He anticipates the Chapel service on April 18 when students will present their mission team experiences during Spring Break.
