Faith in Action - Vol. VII

page

3

page

5

page

7

Table of Contents page

2 Glimpse of Heaven page

3 Mountain Outreach page

4 Diversity, Inclusion page

5 International

Ministries page

7 A New Calling

CONTACT US

bcm@ucumberlands.edu

FIND US

Edna Taylor House

2

A Glimpse of Heaven

Skyler Downs, ’19, gets emotional when talking about what she has experienced in Cumberlands’ international ministries.

“Seeing all the nations come together under one roof and share a meal together, it’s powerful. It’s beautiful,” she said. “That’s what heaven’s going to look like.”

Skyler wasn’t involved in international ministries as a student, but her job as the administrative assistant in the Office of Campus Ministries has grown to include international ministries. It hasn’t changed her view of God necessarily, more so expanded her understanding of God’s heart for the nations. And it’s helped her appreciate the unique experiences of internationals.

She said, “Your American college friend can drive you to their hometown, and they can walk around with you and say, ‘Hey, remember that important place in my life I told you about? This is that place!’ International students can’t do that. But they can cook their grandma’s famous recipe for you at International Food Night, or they can sing their favorite song in their native language at World’s Got Talent. And when you try the food or listen to the song, you see them watching you experience it for the first time, watching your reaction, and the joy on their faces is just overwhelming.”

Her mental image of the Church has expanded too. It’s easy to only think of the Church as being your home church or a collection of local churches. But in reality, it’s global. The thought is humbling but also relieving.

Regardless of one local church’s situation, the global Church continues. Though all believers are different, they are united under the same God. It’s crazy that 40+ nations are represented on Cumberlands’ campus, but Skyler is making the most of the opportunity, doing her best to reach those nations for the sake of Christ.

I ACT because. . .

... the Kingdom of God includes every tribe and nation, and I want to help bring more people into that family.

Skyler Downs, ’19, Administrative Assistant for Campus Ministries

2021 STATS 60

REPAIR PROJECTS

14,625 MEALS PROVIDED

216

VOLUNTEERS

30+ BEDS

8

SCHOOLS SUPPORTED

(BOOK FAIR DONATIONS) 3

Diversity& “There is so much comfort in knowing there are people you can relate to on multiple levels. It makes it easier to tackle tough topics and have in-depth conversations.”

Inclusion

Trinity Brown, ’22 Fayetteville, GA

In 2020, University of the Cumberlands named Mr. Jerton Evans the university’s first director of diversity and inclusion. Soon after, the Diversity Leadership Council (DLC) was established as an official club on campus.

The DLC operates with three core initiatives: the NetWorth Network Program, where it connects professionals with students to better their understanding of prerequisites (such as courses and experience) they need in order to acquire particular professions; Open Window Sessions, which are held during DLC’s monthly meetings, to discuss social issues and how to solve them; and volunteering in community service opportunities as they arise. The club has also partnered with other organizations to collaborate on campus events like cookouts, game nights, sporting 4

events, and worship services. The events have brought a deeper sense of connection and unity among students.

“It’s important for us to realize that racial reconciliation – all-inclusive, true, lasting racial reconciliation – has already been purchased for us by the blood of Christ. God not only reconciles us to Himself, but also to one another, which is a beautiful part of the gospel message,” said Devon Goings, associate campus minister.

“It’s already been achieved for those who are in Christ, but the difficult thing is living it out because of sin.

It’s great seeing DLC bring people of different ethnicities and backgrounds together to build community. It offers opportunities for us to see others the way God sees us: as people who have inherent dignity and value because we are image-bearers of God.”

I ACT because. . .

We are stronger together than we are divided, and it is nice to see exactly how true that is.

Trinity Brown, ’22

WORLD’S GOT TALENT FEELS LIKE

HOME

Undergraduate students from 40+ other countries have traveled to Cumberlands’ campus and made it their second home. They come from various backgrounds with different music, family life, and beliefs. Embracing a new culture isn’t easy, and sometimes international students need a taste of home – figuratively and literally. For the past few years, Campus Ministries has organized events like World’s Got Talent and International Food Night so students can dish out their best shows and show off their best dishes, bringing a world of new cultures to little Williamsburg, Kentucky.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD NIGHT

5

ALUMNI AL N M U I ON MISSION Cheri (Bridges) Floyd, ’91 Amanda Walton, ’02 Location served: Multiple Role: Advocate Relations Coordinator for 127 Worldwide

Arianna Broughton, ’19 Cory Crabtree, ’16 Location served: Knoxville, TN Role: Associate Director of Missions at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, Area Representative for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Mission: Training and motivating believers to pursue missions through NAMB and IMB (Wallace) and equipping local churches to reach coaches and athletes for Christ (FCA) 6

Location served: Brazil

Mission: Connecting advocates to the work of partners caring for vulnerable communities in Guatemala, Kenya, and Uganda using 127 Worldwide’s “Pray, Give, Go, Grow” model.

Role: Journeyman through IMB (International Missions Board) living in Manaus, Brazil Mission: Learning Portuguese, discipling new believers, and planting churches in a countryside area of the Amazon jungle

“

Location served: Papua New Guinea Role: Vocational missionary with Global Partners, living in Papua New Guinea Mission: Ministering to local women and assisting with community development, including health, education, access to technology, and clean water projects

GO FORTH AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF

ALL NATIONS MATTHEW 28:41

I ACT because. . . ... I was dead in my sin and brought to new life. The Gospel really does change everything.

Abigail Adkins, ’23

A New Calling Abigail “Gail” Adkins, ’23, isn’t your typical candidate for international missions. She’s a double major in public health and business administration. She isn’t on a sports team at Cumberlands, where it would likely be easier to meet international students. She doesn’t speak another language (yet). And, though she leads a Bible study on campus, is part of the evangelism and discipleship team at Cumberlands, and has worked in children’s ministry in Appalachia for years, she’s never actually done international missions

before. But after getting involved with international ministries on campus, and especially after attending Cross Conference, she believes God is calling her to the international missions field.

“I was leaning that direction before Cross Con, but I wasn’t full steam ahead,” she said. “The main question at the conference was, ‘Are you a sender or a goer?’ I asked myself that, and, by the end of Cross Con, I got the sense that I’m a goer.”

Since the conference, Abigail has prayed hard, asking the Lord, “Is this what You really want me to do?

Or is this just something I’m excited about right now?” She is seeking wise counsel from older Christians, talking through her thoughts and feelings with close friends, and doing research. She has applied to a summer practicum with an organization that sends Christians to the mission field for six weeks in summer. And she has informed her parents that this path is where she’s feeling led.

They’re still warming up to the idea.

“That was a hard conversation,” Abigail admitted. “They really want me to be safe, and that’s a concern when you travel somewhere far from home.”

As God opens and shuts doors, her specific path will become more evident. For now, Abigail is staying humble, researching, praying, and keeping her heart open to God’s will.

All this “goer” needs is a next step.

She’s confident God will provide.

7

HOW CAN YOU ACT? PUT YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION.

MOUNTAIN OUTREACH

CAMPUS MINISTRIES

SPORTS MINISTRY

APPALACHIAN MINISTRIES

CONTACT: Rocky Brown 606.539.4346

CONTACT: Jacob Ratliff 606.539.3561

CONTACT: Devon Goings 606.539.4605

CONTACT: Caitlyn Howell 606.539.4173