Students tell of Christ overseas

Instead of spending spring break relaxing and recharging, some Liberty University students spent their time off completing service projects and going on missions trips around the world trying to make a difference.

According to Liberty University campus pastor, Johnnie Moore, the Center for Global Engagement had a large amount of students go to East Asia, the Balkans and South America on missions trips this spring break.

Pastoral leadership major Jack Graves, along with nine other Liberty students, went to Cayambe, Ecuador, through Light Ministries and Crossworld. The students worked with the local church and youth group in the area, doing construction on the church and teaching English in the local schools.

Graves is not new to mission trips and has been on six in the past, all in different parts of the world. He especially enjoyed working in Ecuador because it was youth-centered.

“I also hope to go to a Spanish-speaking country in the future as I plan on planting a church,” Graves said. “I wanted to go to Ecuador to get a little taste of what that culture is all about so that I could learn more about my future.”

Sophomore Hannah White also went on the Ecuador mission trip. White’s favorite part of the trip was teaching students English and fostering friendships between the students.

“We got to build friendships with the students and provide a way for them to hear about a church where they can get plugged in to and learn about the love of Christ,” White said.

Some of the students were so interested in the mission trip’s efforts that they came to a church service that weekend to hear the Gospel shared.

“God has always put on my heart that He wants me to be a missionary to a Spanish speaking country and teach English,” White said. “I love the Hispanic culture and people and I want to bring the gospel to these nations.”

On the other side of the world, sophomore Demi Vendon and senior Daniel Garcia, along with six other Liberty students, ministered in Chennai, India, as they shared their testimonies and encouraged believers in the area. The group visited different community centers and fostered a relationship with a large church in the area called New Life Assemblies of God.

Garcia was surprised to learn that life in Chennai was very different compared to America.

“I will not view life in America the same, ever again,” Garcia said. “I can not be any more honest when I say that we as middle-class Americans live like kings compared to them.”

Much of the area they visited was covered in trash — a gritty picture compared to America. Regardless, the Christians in the area were “unbelievably loving and serving.”

“Spiritually and mentally it was so relaxing and fulfilling,” Vendon said. “But I’m physically wiped, and I’m still trying to catch up on sleep. But it’s all so worth it, and I’m just so glad that God gave me the opportunity to be a part of this trip.”

Even though ministering during spring break can get exhausting, those who were involved felt immense blessings.

“I came back tired, but strengthened in my relationship with Christ and ready to share what He has done in my life,” White said.