-
Flags representing the nations of the world were hung around campus to signify it was missions week. Photo by Jenny Seeman.
Flags representing the nations of the world were hung around campus to signify it was missions week. Photo by Jenny Seeman.
2,393. The number of languages without a Bible translation.
As students sat in the PVG lobby on Oct. 26, they were reminded of how many people around the world are unable to have or read a Bible. Students heard missionaries describe their experiences with missions around the world.
“We’re not trying to recruit you,” said one of the speakers. “We just want to get you thinking about missions.”
Some students had already begun thinking about missions but wanted to learn more.
“I love missions and I know I want to be a part of it,” said freshman Emilee Lloyd, who attended the meeting. “The part that impacted me most was when the speaker talked about all the languages that didn’t have Bibles translated for them.”
This eye-opening dorm meeting was just one of the many activities that made up WOW (World Outreach Week), which ran from Oct. 26-30.
This year, the theme of WOW (World Outreach Week) was “The Hitchhikers Guide to God’s Global Journey.”
Dr. Ron Blue, from Dallas Theological Seminary, was the chapel speaker for the week.
“I think the highlight was definitely Dr. Ron Blue,” said Vince Rediger, president of True North Corps. “He seemed to be a great hit with everybody.”
Blue gave advice on how to witness to someone. Just follow the acronym FORM. First, talk about family, theirs and yours. Second, ask them about their occupation. Third, find out what they believe. What is their religion? And finally, share the message.
“Dr. Blue was really funny and entertaining,” said Lloyd, “and he made some good points about outreach.”
Throughout the week, campus was full of visible signs of WOW. From the flags flying on the sky bridge and the AC building, to the 21 mission’s organizations that filled halls of Schimmel, WOW was evident.
Along with the booths that were set up in Schimmel, missionaries also came to classes to speak about their experiences and how any major would fit into the mission field.
Representatives from Action International spent their time talking about how students can be involved in any area of missions, whether it be at the home office or out on the field.
“What was really impactful to me was when a group of women came to my Women of Faith class,” said freshman Sarah Seibert. “What one of the women said really stuck with me.”
That woman was Julie Shackelford, an American Missionary Fellowship representative.
To be what Christians want to be, students must have “a birth of a vision, a death of a vision, and the birth of His vision,” said Shackelford.
After hearing this, Seibert realized, “It shouldn’t all be about me. I need to die to myself and my visions and wait for what God’s vision for me is.”
On Thursday night, missionaries shared their experiences on the mission field with the women in Balyo and men in Davidson.
“The different perspectives that were shared helped the students learn how different agencies and ministries approach the ministry in different places throughout the world,” said Paul Johnson, assistant professor of missions.
“The missionary guests were here to serve students,” he added.
And serve they did. Some even took time out to eat lunch with students.
“The missionary guests seemed to connect really well with the students. And many students had a chance to ask questions from guests,” said Rediger.
The missionaries were available to answer questions and share their experiences.
“It was a great time to talk on a personal level and to see the types of experiences women go through on the mission field,” said sophomore Lily Carlson, who attended the women’s session in Balyo.
“We want to build upon the things we were able to do this year in the coming years so World Outreach Week is an annual event that truly impacts the entire Corban community,” said Johnson.