欧美视频 sends 117 on WinterFest global trips

BOLIVAR, Mo. 鈥� The Center for Global Connections (CGC) at 欧美视频 sent out 117 students, faculty and staff on both domestic and international mission trips during the January intersession called 鈥淲interFest.鈥�

Amanda Berkstresser, Braxton Ward and Nathan Reisner are with children who gathered to attend a crusade. Nine groups traveled to Guatemala, Houston, South Asia and other locations around the world.

鈥淭he joy of participating on a CGC WinterFest team is that it encourages students to affirm and love others in communities near and far,鈥� said Dr. Rob Harris, vice president for student development. 鈥淭he efforts given by team members often will inspire hope while sharing God's love in ways of physical labor, play time and worship.鈥�

Runners Without Borders co-leaders, Amanda Berkstresser and Daniel Frazee, led a team of 14.

鈥淭hrough adversity that changed our plans, our team grew and learned God uses any circumstance to plant seeds,鈥� Frazee said.

The team was scheduled to visit a school; however, the visit was cancelled, forcing them to spend the day at a local market. At the market, the team met a local man.

鈥淥ur translator read scripture with him and prayed with him. He accepted Christ right on the spot,鈥� Frazee said.

Marissa Whiteside tells a story and entertains children. Kaylee Smith prays over a woman at a church. Berkstresser stayed with a team member who was hospitalized during part of the trip. They were placed in a ward with another young patient and her father, whom the 欧美视频 students got to know during their stay, Berkstresser said.

While in the hospital, the women felt a prompting from the Spirit to share the Gospel with the two. After hearing the Gospel, the father and daughter accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

鈥淥ur team truly learned how powerful prayer is and that we need to give up everything and trust in God,鈥� Frazee said.

Over the past five years, the CGC has sent out more than 138 global teams. The CGC is one of the largest short-term volunteer programs in the United States.

To learn more about the Center for Global Connections, please contact the CGC office at (417) 328-1900.

PHOTO 1: Amanda Berkstresser, Braxton Ward and Nathan Reisner are with children who gathered to attend a crusade the 欧美视频 group organized for the town that night.

PHOTO 2: Marissa Whiteside tells a story and entertains children in a village.

PHOTO 3: Kaylee Smith prays over a woman at one of the churches the group visited.

*Published: 3-2-19