JACKSON, Tenn. — May 9, 2002 — 鈥淕o ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.鈥� (Mark 16:15.)
The call to missions 鈥� leaving family and friends behind, going into unfamiliar cities and countries, speaking an unfamiliar language 鈥� navigating an even more unfamiliar culture. More than 15 51社区 graduates have recently answered that call with a commitment to full-time missionary service 鈥� eager to leave Union鈥檚 nurturing campus for a mission field somewhere out in the rough, jagged areas of our world.
In 1996, the university was only aware of one graduate going into missions, said Suzanne Mosley, director of student outreach. The sudden explosion of interest in fulltime mission work has come as a pleasant surprise to she and Todd Brady, minister to the university. What鈥檚 of even greater interest to them, however, is that the graduates going into missions have not been the traditional Christian studies major.
鈥淎 trend seems to be developing where more and more students are focusing on other majors to be used for missions,鈥� said Mosley. These include social work, international business, management, biology, psychology, and Spanish. It appears Union students are focusing on more than just the biblical background to become a missionary and are determined to be resources in whatever country God has called them to minister, said Mosley.
鈥淭here is a push to go into restricted countries now and creative ways to get into the country are needed,鈥� explained Mosley, who served as a journeyman to Egypt for two years before accepting her current position at Union. 鈥淪tudents must develop marketable skills and start thinking of missions differently in order to accomplish this.鈥�
鈥淯nion played a large role in my involvement in missions,鈥� said Rob Dixon, missionary to Romania and a 2001 Union graduate. 鈥淚 began to see God's plan for the world as I studied at Union, participated in mission activities and took short-term trips through Campus Ministries.鈥� It was on a short-term trip with a Union team to Egypt and Israel when Dixon first felt the call to missions.
Campus Ministries has been a key in encouraging students to enter ministry, yet the staff acknowledges that not everyone is called to be a missionary per se.
鈥淚t is important for students to realize that everyone must participate in God鈥檚 call to minister,鈥� said Mosley. 鈥淪tudents need to rise up and help spread the gospel.鈥� Each individual has a responsibility to be a witness for God even if they do not felt called to enter the field as a vocation.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not asking every student to be a missionary, but to understand that ministering is an integral part of every Christian鈥檚 life,鈥� Brady explained.
GO Trips are one way for Union students to go on short-term mission trips and spread the gospel. These trips are designed, planned and organized by Campus Ministries.
鈥淭his year there were more GO Trips than ever before,鈥� said Mosley. 鈥淭his was the first year we had a January term trip and we have three summer trips scheduled.鈥�
For Dixon, the GO Trips he participated on were life-changing.
鈥淕o Trips were my first real involvement in missions,鈥� said Dixon. 鈥淚t was eye-opening to say the least. God showed me his power, protection, his creation, and his love.鈥�
GO trips tend to lead missionaries to the field because most have never been on trips before, explained Mosley and Brady.
鈥淵ou can talk about, strategize, and encourage missions all day but going is the way you get hooked,鈥� said Dixon. Mosley and Brady understand this concept and say this is precisely why they are such strong advocates of GO Trips.
They also believe that what makes Union鈥檚 Office of Campus Ministries so distinguishable from other college campus ministries the partnership the office has with the university and other departments on campus.
鈥淥ther campus ministries aren鈥檛 seen as a component of the school whereas at Union we are,鈥� said Brady.
鈥淐ampus Ministries encourages students to pray for missions, it brings missionaries to speak so students think about missions, and sends teams that enable students to participate in missions,鈥� said Dixon.
Campus Ministries and 51社区 are working hand in hand to create an environment in which students can grow in God and tune into his voice through numerous opportunities made accessible to its students.
鈥淗ow beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!鈥� (Romans 10:15.)
The following is a list of Union鈥檚 graduates whose beautiful feet are serving the nations:
Lisa Sipes, 鈥�01, Social Work Major, serving 2001-2003 in Southern Asia.
Meg Wright, 鈥�01, Learning Foundations Major, serving 2002 Spring Semester in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Carla Rose, 鈥�01, International Business Major, serving 2001-2002 in North Africa.
Rob Dixon, 鈥�00, Management Major, serving 2002-2004 in Romania.
Dan Shackelford, 鈥�01, Christian Studies Major, serving 2001-2003 in Brazil.
Brad Horner, 鈥�01, Management Major, serving 2002-2004 in Middle East.
Jessica Sharpe, 鈥�01, Spanish Major, currently in the IMB interview process for Spain.
Michele Bennett, 鈥�02, Christian Ethics Major, currently in the IMB interview process.
Ty Bullington, 鈥�02, Biology Major, currently in the IMB interview process.
Erika Godfrey, 鈥�02, Biblical Studies Major, currently in the IMB interview process.
Cassie Paddock, 鈥�02, Psychology Major, currently in the IMB interview process.
Crystal Hall, 鈥�99, serving in Botswana.
Steve Moses, 鈥�98, Social Work Major, currently a student at Mid-America Seminary, Memphis, 2 years in Egypt.
Andy Pettigrew, Seattle, currently coordinating mission trips.