Dr. Tim Glaze pins the description of a student mission possibility to a world map hung in the hall of WCU’s Baptist Student Union.
As the Baptist Student Union at William Carey University hosted its annual Missions Banquet on Oct. 2, students who have served as summer missionaries talked about the experience with others who are thinking about applying for next summer’s program.
The deadline is in November.
BSU Director Dr. Tim Glaze grew up in Argentina as the son of Baptist missionaries. He is a William Carey alumnus. During his student days, Glaze went on a mission trip to Illinois one summer. During a second summer mission, he worked with a children’s ministry in Singapore.
“This is a student-led process. Students who serve as Baptist student missionaries help raise the money to support the program,” Glaze said.
“They sponsor events during the year and they run a concessions booth at soccer games. Supporters make individual contributions – and all BSUs in the state contribute to a mission fund. Students are also involved in the evaluation and interview process for students applying to become summer missionaries.”
Landon Adams, BSU assistant director, said William Carey sends out summer missionaries every year: “Last year, we sent 10 students around the world to share the gospel, and we were able to raise over $11,000 to support them financially. This would not have been possible without our faithful supporters.”
Here’s a look at “letters home” from William Carey students who served as missionaries during summer 2018:
Carli Gustafson of Ocean Springs served in the Dominican Republic: “Our days started as early as 7 a.m. and ended as late as midnight. We were involved in children’s camps, sports ministry, medical ministry, home visits, hospital visits, prayer walking, village/church visits, and so much more. Many Dominicans live in spiritual darkness … pray that his love will overwhelm the ever-present darkness that they live in.”
Jacob Miller of Pensacola, Fla., served in Jackson Heights, New York: “This summer my mission work has been focused in the most diverse zip code in America. As of last week, I have had one Tibetan friend who has connected me with another Tibetan student who wants a Bible. This is fantastic because Tibetans here are very difficult to connect with here.”
Grace Powell of Petal: “We all read the Bible together, talked about it, and were also able to share our testimonies with a woman. Our translator, after speaking with our friend in the local language, looked at Maggie and me and said that she wanted to pray to receive God’s grace!”
Jakolbia Shipmon of Ocean Springs served in Quebec, Canada: “The next two weeks of camp will be Explorers’ camp, which will be pre-teens ages 8 to 12. God is incessantly reminding me to be His image-bearer, because these kids watch everything that we as staffers are doing!”
Ben Thompson of Columbia served at Church at the Well, Boston, Massachusetts: “One of the primary ways of outreach that the Church at the Well uses is through coffeehouse ministries. The church has been able to build relationships with people in order to initiate gospel-centered conversations. It has been amazing to see how God has been working through the coffeehouses by being able to disciple their customers and evangelize the gospel."
Betsy Truex of Orlando, Fla., served in Anchorage, Alaska: “Our goal is to build relationships with people, share the love of Christ with them, and help them discover more about what it means to follow Jesus. The people here have very hard hearts toward the gospel since it is a very morally liberal area – which has made for some discouraging conversations. But we are just trying to continue to shine for Jesus and love these people well!”
Caleb Watt of Mobile, Ala., served in Southeast Asia: “We have lots of ministry in the classes we teach (I teach six!) and God is truly giving us encouragement to share! On weekends we spend time resting and going to small, poor villages that are desperate and willing to hear the Gospel.”
Autumn Williamson of Foxworth served at Mission Center of Houston: “We had a homeless man named Frank come to the center, because he was released from prison. When he came to the center, he felt alone and hopeless. When he left, he left with a knowledge of God’s love and food to eat.”
For more information about the Baptist Student Union at William Carey University, call (601) 318-6161.