World Outreach Week
- Date: Sep 21, 2026
- Time: 12:00 AM
- Location: Corban University Campus
Making a Way | Isaiah 43:19
World Outreach Week (WOW) is held in the fall semester each year at Corban University. It is a visible expression of the vision and character of our university – and more:
- It provides the privilege to think deeply about the spread of the Gospel and to praise God for the growing maturity of believers.
- It is an opportunity to be inspired by godly men and women, to spend time with them, and to learn from them.
- Finally, WOW challenges us to consider how our strengths, weaknesses, talents, interests, and availability may be used by God in His work, for His glory, around the world.
The WOW program includes inspiring chapel speakers, opportunities for conversations with representatives of many mission organizations, special evening talks in the dorms, classroom visitors, and international decor around campus.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
WOW Hack-a-thon
Friday – Sunday, Sept. 18-20, 2026
World Outreach Week is expanding! Hack-a-thon is a 48-hour intensive creative working session to problem solve and create solutions for some issue hindering the advance of the Gospel.
Learn More About Hackathon
Be part of cutting-edge mission work right here at Corban University.
We are gathering problem solvers, unconventional thinkers, and trailblazers to tackle challenges faced by missionaries around the world. Teams will work together throughout the weekend to build solutions to real-world needs in mission work today.
Every gift matters. Every role contributes. If you can…
- Create
- Communicate
- Collaborate
- Cooperate
- Design
- Develop
- Discern
- Innovate
- Strategize
- Narrate
- Plan
- Manage
- Organize
- Implement
- Encourage
- Research
- Think Creatively
- Problem Solve
…then you’re invited!
Join us for the WOW Hackathon to explore what it looks like to trust God, serve people, and transform bold ideas into meaningful realities.
WOW #HACK
Where Creativity, Faith, Technology & Purpose Meet
Interested in participating? Submit the appropriate form below so we can share more information with you as the time gets closer.
Hack-a-Thon Interest Forms
For more information about WOW, contact:
Dr. Annette Harrison
Professor of Intercultural Studies
WOW 2026 Event Schedule
In addition to the scheduled events below, mobilizers will be visiting classrooms and mission displays will be set up in the El Cerrito Room of the dining hall. Stop by and talk with representatives from a variety of mission organizations to learn more about the work God is doing around the world!
Mobilizer displays in the El Cerrito Room, prayer walks, chapel, and the evening sessions in the Psalm Center are open to all!
| MONDAY, SEPT. 21 | Focus: Sciences in Cross-cultural Ministry | |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. | Chapel: Science for Gospel Impact Guest Speakers: David Leung, Nancy Berends, Anita Tita, Joanne Gates | Psalm Center |
| 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch with a Mobilizer | Dining Hall |
| Afternoon | Mobilizer Booths | El Cerrito Room, Dining Hall |
| 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | World Outreach Week Kick Off: Churros & Games sponsored by Student Life | Psalm Center Plaza |
| TUESDAY, SEPT. 22 | Focus: Sciences in Cross-cultural Ministry | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Prayer Walk Led by Joe Hoover (ILAD) | Meet in front of Psalm Center |
| All Day | Mobilizer Booths | El Cerrito Room, Dining Hall |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Medical Panel Discussion David Leung, Nancy Berends, Anita Tita, Joanne Gates | Physics Lab 4422 |
| 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch with Panel Speakers | Dining Hall |
| 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Not Your Typical Mission Trip Information Evening for North Macedonia, Albania & New Testament Greece in 2027 | Psalm Center |
| WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 | Focus: Corban Student Contributions to Cross-cultural Work Around the World | |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. | Chapel: Hackathon Report with Emmanuel Christian | Psalm Center |
| 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch with a Mobilizer | Dining Hall |
| 1:00 p.m. | Medical Panel for Nursing Students | Psalm Center |
| Afternoon | Mobilizer Booths | El Cerrito Room, Dining Hall |
| 3:00 p.m. | Prayer Walk Led by Debbie Eisenhut (SIM) | Meet in front of Psalm Center |
| 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Corban Summer Mission Teams Report | Psalm Center |
| Jacob Crawford Photo Exhibition | Psalm Center Mezzanine |
| THURSDAY, SEPT. 24 | Focus: Athletics in Cross-cultural Ministry | |
|---|---|---|
| All Day | Mobilizer Booths | El Cerrito Room, Dining Hall |
| 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch with a Mobilizer | Dining Hall |
| 12:00 p.m. | Prayer Walk Led by Al Dobra | Meet in front of Psalm Center |
| 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Athletic Skills for Gospel Impact | Klatch |
| FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 | Focus: Athletics in Cross-cultural Ministry | |
|---|---|---|
| All Day | Mobilizer Booths | El Cerrito Room, Dining Hall |
| 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. | Chapel: Use Your Athletic Skills and Abilities for Christ Guest Speakers: Rod Ragsdale, Al Dobra, Kristin Rott; Maryann Remsburg, moderator | Psalm Center |
| 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch with a Mobilizer | Dining Hall |
| 3:00 p.m. | Close of WOW / Take Down Flags |
Featured Guests
Nancy Berends
After honing her nursing and administrative skills in the corporate world, Nancy Berends joined ABWE in 2003. Serving as the Director of Healthcare for ABWE has been a challenging, rewarding, fulfilling and never-boring journey. Supporting mission hospitals, overseeing missionary healthcare, and mobilizing mobile urgent care teams all impact ABWE’s mission to see the Great Commission fulfilled. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys reading, gardening, and traveling to new locations.
Emmanuel Christian
Emmanuel is passionate about using innovative digital strategies to reach the unreached with the hope of Christ. He serves as Chief Technology Officer & Global Digital Strategist for Global Radio Outreach, as well as Missionary Chaplain. With multiple degrees and certifications, he combines expertise in software development, cybersecurity, AI, and digital transformation with a passion for missional innovation. Emmanuel leads initiatives that secure digital platforms, pioneer outreach strategies, and equip global teams to bring the unchanging gospel to a changing world. In addition to responsibilities with GRO, he serves in leadership with FaithTech Seattle, as a coordinator with the organization Indigitous, and at Coding for the Kingdom, showing young people worldwide how they can use their technical skills for the Kingdom of God.
Al Dobra
Al and Sharon Dobra have 37 plus years involved in missions, having twice moved, with their children, into a community not knowing the language. They have been involved in managing businesses, training nationals, sports, church planting, Muslim evangelism, and as MK dorm parents. They have spent 20 plus years recruiting and mentoring for cross-cultural work. With Sharon being a counselor, and both certified in cross-cultural debrief and renewal, they focus on preparing people for impactful cross-cultural ministry, while reducing attrition.
Joanne Gates
Joanne is a retired pediatric physical therapist. She has worked in multiple health care settings including long term care, rehabilitation, acute care, school system, and early intervention. She has been involved in missions for many years, serving with World Vision in Romania in institutions for children with disabilities as well as working with disabled children and their parents in Kosovo. Most recently, she has been volunteering with Mercy Ships serving in several African countries.
Dr. David Leung
After being briefly trained in family medicine, Dr. Leung and his family worked in China from 1996-2020, spending much of that time providing clinical care, training for village doctors, rural and urban community health care, and medical education, and then serving as the head of an international NGO (https://msips.org/our-leadership-team/) for five years. Since 2020, the Leungs have been back in the US.
Rod and Angelika Ragsdale
For decades, Rod and Angelika Ragsdale have served in Côte d’Ivoire, where they train pastors and their wives at Bethel Bible Institute in Korhogo. Their deep love for the Ivoirian people inspired Rod to co-found KuruBa, supporting wildlife conservation and community development. Angelika co-founded another organization that equips women and girls with knowledge about sexuality, their bodies, and their personal dignity as beloved children of God. The Ragsdale home is a gathering place where hospitality, shared activities, and meaningful conversations shape lives.
Kristen Rott
Kristen is an Oregon native, graduating from Oregon City High School in 2004. She went on to pursue her basketball, volleyball, and academic career at the University of Oregon, where she graduated with a degree in history and business. Her career in athletics, education, administration, and ministry has prepared her to engage in leadership, equip staff and volunteers, and empower coaches and athletes to ensure the sustainability of the ministry for years to come.
Anita Tita
Anita is a missionary kid who grew up in Peru, Ecuador, and Uruguay. She became a nurse in 2009 and has worked in the operating room since late 2010. She has had the privilege of volunteering multiple times with Mercy Ships in a variety of roles from 2014-2020 and has been working as a Resource Manager since 2023. She met her husband while volunteering. He was working with the engineering team on board. They have settled into the Portland area, where she is able to keep up her OR skills at the VA when not working with Mercy Ships.