Why send a student on a mission trip?
One way I would answer that question is to share that mission trips add bricks of faith, like bricks to a house, that contribute to the spiritual formation of a student. Students who take concentrated time to step out of their regular environments and serve God in a new context, are stretched personally and spiritually, and leave the mission trip experience further equipped to serve God in their day to day life.
Over the last year it has been neat to watch this happen with Janis, a UBC student. God has been leading her through multiple global missions opportunities. Through these experiences God has been shaping her, using her, and giving her a vision for being involved in his Kingdom work.
Janis was a participant on the Nations Next Door mission trip in Saskatoon last summer, and after making a creative instagram reel about her experience, we hired Janis to help us part-time with global missions marketing for six months. In April I asked Janis to reflect on God’s work in her life this past year. This is what she said:
Janis (in the middle) on the Nations Next Door mission trip last spring.
"Drawing from my marketing background as a business student and my mission trip experience, I was able to create engaging and informative content that showcased not only the different mission trips we have this year but the heart behind going on a mission trip as well. I learned that missions is ultimately to create intentional spaces for people to know God, understand the gospel, and experience His love tangibly.
Working for global missions made a profound impact on me because it cultivated my desire to draw other people closer to Jesus. That is why I recently accepted an internship opportunity at Global Aid Network (GAiN).
If you had told me that I would take on two incredible internships a year ago, I would not have believed you. It's evident to me now how God had been working in my life over the past year, and leading me to grow in knowledge and appreciation of Him. I’m truly grateful for the opportunities He gave, the people He blessed me with, and the deeper understanding I gained of His heart."
Currently we have 51 staff and students on four different mission trips and another 14 preparing to head out in July and August.
Friends at, thank you for your partnership that helps make these mission trips happen. Pray with us that these trips would have a local impact and that God would use them to help participants gain a vision for continuing to live on mission.
Join us in praying for Mission Trips
Our currently mission trips will be wrapping up mid-June. Pray for opportunities to have deep spiritual conversations with local friends and to point them to Christ. Pray also for students as they transition home after these 6 week mission trips.
On Nations Next Door (Ottawa) participants are reaching international students through building cross-cultural friendships and serving their physical, social, and spiritual needs.
In Vietnam we come alongside the local campus ministry to develop genuine friendships and share the gospel with Vietnamese students through English corners, picnics, hanging out, and playing sports together.
On PRAXIS Edmonton we partner with urban ministries focused on reaching vulnerable populations. Participants are stretched to practice being a whole person who lives an integrated life on mission.
In Desert Rain we engage with our partners in the Arab world in local student ministry that is highly relational and puts hospitality at the core.