Tech students prepare for summer ministry

With another semester winding down, once again, we find ourselves transitioning into summer mode.   However, whether taking summer classes, starting that summer internship or co-op, or going home to start a summer job, we can still constantly be sharing our faith with those around us.  Cross Reference would like to recognize several individuals who are using their summer to share the Gospel through various projects around their communities, around the country, and around the world.

Andrew Haney is taking four weeks out of his summer to go on a Summer Project through Campus Crusade for Christ to Uruguay, on the Atlantic coast of South America.  "Few other environments can top this in developing spiritual leadership and ministry skills to equip me and others for campus outreach and ministry after college" says Andrew of his upcoming trip.  While in Uruguay, Andrew and 25 other students will be traveling to the city of Montevideo. Here, they will have the opportunity to share their faith with approximately 80,000 college students by supporting the local college ministry group, and will also grow through small group Bible study and discipleship ministry.

Although mission work is often synonymous with international travel, there is plenty of mission work to do closer to home.  Jared O'Connor is going on a stateside Summer Project to Grand Traverse Bay with Campus Crusade.   This project, located in Traverse City, will give Jared and 30-40 other students the opportunity to share their faith with tourists, high school students, and build up each other as they spend the summer growing in their own faith.

Nate Anderson is also spending his summer on a stateside Summer Project as part of the North Myrtle Beach team from Campus Crusade.  This project takes place in South Carolina, where Nate and 90 other spiritually-motivated college students will spend the summer in rigorous training to develop and increase their relationship with Christ; learning through bible studies and training in evangelism and discipleship.

Several groups from St. Albert the Great will be doing mission work locally and around the country this summer.  A group of students will be working at St. Martin de Porres "House of Hope" in Chicago.  Here, they will be spreading Christ's love by assisting at this shelter, where women who are homeless or recovering from substance abuse can go.  Additionally, a group will assist the Vacation Bible School at the St. Anne's parish in Chassel.

Andy Deckert and Hannah Smith will be going to Kenya with Living Hope Church in Green Bay, Wis.  Here, they will help build a girls school in a country where girls are not typically educated.  While in this village, they will assist a trained doctor to provide medical aid.  From here, they will move into a different village, where they will spread God's love at local schools by sharing their faith with local schoolchildren.

Mike Mission will also be going to Kenya, where and a small group of students will live with missionaries throughout the country.  There will be opportunities to preach, give testimonies, teach, share the gospel, minister through prayer and visit church members with the purpose of strengthening the churches and ministries.   After three weeks, he and the students will meet with the rest of the mission group in Nairobi, where they will witness in the slums, go on prayer walks, and do service in a Mother Theresa orphanage.  Mike hopes this trip will help him to grow in his faith and ability to outreach.  Mike says, "I wanted to put myself in a place where I don't exactly feel comfortable, and a place where God can really show me His heart for the people of all nations.  I feel that He is going to show me a lot this summer, and I am excited to follow Him."

Many will also be in the mission field closer to home, working at various summer camps and with various organizations.  These include Dustin Larson at Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay, Mich. and Eric Markstrom at Springhill in Evart, Mich.  Devin Thurston will be at Camp Barakel in Fairview, Mich., and Matt Cook will be going to Victory Bible Camp in Palmer, Alaska.

Although we have recognized only a few examples of those spending their summer in missions, there are undoubtedly countless others spending time to share the Good News of Christ during their time away from Michigan Tech.  Keep these and all others involved in mission work this summer in your prayers as they bring the Gospel to others and grow in their own relationship with Christ.  Remember that no matter where He has placed us, we can still share God's love and be a light to the world.