BOLIVAR, Mo. – After having to cancel mission project trips last spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Southwest Baptist University’s Center for Global Connections (CGC) commissioned four teams during Global Connections Week to serve over Spring Break 2021.
“This is an exciting time,” said Diana Gallamore, director of the CGC and travel stewardship.
“Obviously, COVID changed the world, changed our ability to mobilize students and
then to minister. This first group of students is actually going out to broader areas
in the U.S.
“It’s a move forward, a step forward, showing our students we’re moving, that we can continue to work. We’ve had local teams continue to share, but this spring they're actually going outside of Missouri to serve in Texas and South Dakota, and re-entering into some partnerships that we've had.
“So, I think it’s motivating to students. This is showing them we’re still moving forward and we’re still sending teams.”
The CGC kicked off Global Connections Week during Chapel service March 3, by sharing
global trip opportunities for 2020-2021.
On March 10, the CGC announced and commissioned teams that are serving during Spring
Break. Team members were prayed for by their peers, faculty and staff.
- Disaster Relief: Traveling to Giddings, Texas, to provide disaster relief
- Houston, Texas: Leading a day camp and partnering with First Baptist Church of Houston to assist in the Food Pantry/Clothes Closet ministry
- Border Perspective: Traveling to Pharr, Texas, to participate in a service learning project that involves border ministry with immigrants entering the U.S.
- South Dakota: Serving at the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota
Gallamore is encouraged to see students continue to serve in missions even after several
international trips were canceled a year ago due to the pandemic.
“We have seen many students be involved locally and in a few projects that are just within the state,” Gallamore said. “We’ll recruit and promote trips again in the fall.”
As part of Global Connections Week, the CGC also hosted Global Fest, which gives students an opportunity to visit with mission trip leaders and experience a taste of culture from the global trips.
“It was great and nice to have those conversations,” Gallamore said. “It’s always a great night. Students were able to connect with team leaders.”
Over the past five years, the CGC has sent out more than 130 global teams. The CGC is one of the largest short-term volunteer programs in the United States.
For more information about the CGC, contact Diana Gallamore at (417) 328-1905 or dgallamore@SBUniv.edu.
PHOTO 1: Students are prayed for during the commissioning service for Spring Break mission project trips.
PHOTO 2: Student leaders share about a future project in North Africa during CGC’s Global Fest event.
*Published: 3-15-2021