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It is a Friday in March, and the Wesleyan community is gathered in Yancey Gymnasium to commission its short-term missionaries who will serve on mission trips during spring break. Feelings of anticipation fill the air of the tightly packed gym. In any given year, more than 200 students, faculty, and staff may serve in both domestic and international locations, partnering with ministry organizations that are well-established in their respective communities.

Before scattering across the globe, Wesleyan missionaries gather as one body during the commissioning service to reflect on the “why” behind each trip, to invite God into the process, and to humble themselves, in recognition of their need for prayer and support as they prepare for what is often an exhausting, yet rewarding, week.

WHY DO WE ANSWER THE CALL TO GO?

“People often wonder why mission trips are so impactful and enjoyable given the seemingly mundane tasks involved like mowing grass, painting an old house, or playing tag with a child,” reflects GREG LISSON, director of Christian life. “However, a typical day on a mission trip involves worship, community, service, and prayer – the very things that we were created for. No wonder our students find so much joy in these trips. It is because we are partaking in the very things that God said should occupy our days.”

Given the demands of each mission trip, it would not be uncommon to wonder, “Why does Wesleyan School choose to invest time, money, and energy into this program? Year after year, why do teachers willingly choose to sacrifice time with their family and friends to serve alongside students instead?”

These sacrificial commitments are an effort to be Christ-imitators. In Hebrews 12, we read that Jesus sacrificed His life for the joy set before Him. Our salvation is the joy that was on Jesus’ mind as He laid down His life, and similarly, the joy of a deep relationship with Jesus is on our mind as we sacrifice our spring break plans to serve.

Wesleyan invests in a missions program because the call to make disciples is first and foremost an act of obedience to the great commission which commands believers to share our faith with the world. The Bible tells us that God has chosen us to be Christ’s ambassadors even as flawed and broken humans. In this we rejoice! God created us to share the good news with the world. When we give our time, our energy, and our efforts to spread the gospel, we are simply aligning ourselves with who God created us to be, and living in this alignment sparks joy.

MISSION TRIPS SERVE AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO SEE HOW THOSE THEY ARE SERVING REMAIN JOYFUL AND CONTENT, EVEN IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH INSPIRES STUDENTS TO DO THE SAME.

True obedience and true joy require action. It is one thing to understand the gospel, and another thing to engage deeply with and live out the gospel. Thankfully, Wesleyan equips students with the knowledge needed to grow in their faith intellectually, while also creating space to put faith into action. Mission trips play a vital role in helping each student nurture a relationship with Jesus, a relationship that we hope involves their mind, body, and spirit.

MIND — As students meet new people, learn about different cultures, and form lasting bonds and connections with their classmates, they engage their minds and shape their individual worldviews.

They learn from people who have had very different life experiences, often involving trials, hardship, and poverty that might be unfamiliar to them. Mission trips serve as an opportunity for students to see how those they are serving remain joyful and content, even in the midst of challenging circumstances, which inspires students to do the same.

“I learned a lot about the joy of the Lord through the kids we served at one of the schools,” reflects CAITLIN BRIDGERS ‘23 , who served on this year’s mission trip to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.

“We were told that a lot of the kids at this school come from some really hard circumstances. There is a lot of poverty in the area, but I have never seen fourth graders have so much joy in everything they do. It was cool to see their dependence on the Lord’s joy even at such a young age.”

BODY — As a whole, the missions experience is an embodied experience, not just concepts to learn or ideas to observe. Students are challenged to use their bodies to serve the Lord and His children by doing manual labor or playing tag during Vacation Bible School. Mission trips teach our students to live out Paul’s challenge to the church in Rome:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” — Romans 12:1

Beyond the physical work of the mission trip, students use all five senses to immerse themselves fully into new cultures. They try new foods. They learn new dances and games. They shop and barter in local markets. They walk the same roads and paths as the people they are serving. Their bodies experience a different way of life.

SPIRIT — Lastly, as students are encouraged and challenged by the faith of those they serve and those with whom they serve, mission trips shape the spirit. Students learn about, see, and practice what it means to have a spirit of humility and what it looks like to be a servant. Slowly, students begin to learn the impact that a humble act of service can make, no matter how small or large. If just one person is affected, it is worth it.

IT’S NOT ABOUT US!

Countering a culture that is often self-focused and self-reliant, Wesleyan aims to use mission trips to teach students that this life is ultimately not about us, but rather about Christ accomplishing His will. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, he describes God’s omnipotent sovereignty:

“…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” — Philippians 2:13

Given the short nature of each trip, Wesleyan chooses to partner with ministries that are already established and will continue the work of furthering the gospel long after Wesleyan students depart from their ministry site. By recognizing the longevity and permanence of our ministry partners, students begin to see that these trips are not the entirety of the Lord’s work; rather, He has invited us to play a small role in the story He is already writing and will continue to write. Our posture is to step in and support in any way that we can, and we rejoice that the work does not cease when we return home.

The Christian life team chooses to work with many of the same ministries repeatedly over the years. For example, Wesleyan has worked with SCORE International for more than a decade, supporting their existing ministry in the Dominican Republic by serving local missionaries, Craig and Joanna McClure. The McClures oversee a preschool in a local church, as well as a medical clinic, and they utilize these avenues to build relationships and spread the gospel.

“It really stuck with me when Mr. McClure reminded us that our purpose on the trip is ultimately so that he and his wife can continue talking to the people of the village – even after we leave – and speak about how we cared for them to point to Christ’s love,” reflects CHRISTINA MCCOY ‘23 who served on the DR SCORE mission trip this year.

“Our students and teachers have fallen in love with the McClures,” says ALEX O’DONNELL ‘06 , assistant director of Christian life: missions and retreats. “Many of our students keep in touch with them following the trip by keeping up with their prayer needs. It’s these personal friendships developed and maintained that allow our relationships with the ministries we serve to stay strong.”

Building Fences And Friendships

For 23 years, the Wesleyan missions program has provided an environment for deep connections formed between teachers, students, parents, and members of the community as a result of the missions process. Students are often teamed with classmates outside of their normal circles, allowing them to work alongside peers they may not have been able to get to know otherwise.

“A certain type of friendship is created through the rigor of a Wesleyan education, but a far deeper, more meaningful bond is forged when our intellect, time, talents, and treasures are spent in service to others,” reflects ALEXANDER GLOVER ‘23, who has participated in two Wesleyan mission trips. “Wesleyan mission trips are where some of my closest relationships with my peers have developed.”

Prior to each trip, students and leaders gather for planning and bonding meetings. The preparation builds towards an overnight retreat where all missions participants share their faith journeys.

“Students and leaders open their hearts and share the good, the bad, and the ugly on these retreats,” shares MEG BROOKS , testing coordinator, who has served on seven mission trips with Wesleyan. “Kids can get so wrapped up in themselves, so experiencing these moments of vulnerability and honesty is impactful to them. It hits them in the heart and reminds them why God tells us to be kind to each other.”

“A CERTAIN TYPE OF FRIENDSHIP IS CREATED THROUGH THE RIGOR OF A WESLEYAN EDUCATION, BUT A FAR DEEPER, MORE MEANINGFUL BOND IS FORGED WHEN OUR INTELLECT, TIME, TALENTS, AND TREASURES ARE SPENT IN SERVICE TO OTHERS.”

ALEXANDER GLOVER ‘23

During the preparation process and the trip itself, the Wesleyan student body can be strengthened, unified, and interconnected as students cultivate these sometimes unlikely friendships while building fences, playing tag with kids in the neighborhood, or working together to repair a roof.

It Takes A Village

The missions program also strengthens the bond of the Wesleyan community as parents, grandparents, and friends are invited to join the process. It truly does take a village to ensure the missions experience is transformational.

Whether committing to pray for students and leaders, donating supplies, contributing financially, or writing letters of encouragement to be read on trips, members of the Wesleyan community consistently step up to ensure the experience is the best it can be for each student, and in turn, the people they are serving.

In the fall, Lisson spoke about this year’s Christian life theme – the word “revive.” He explained that the Macmillan dictionary defines the word as “again in a different way.”

“To do the same thing over and over in a different way may sound like drudgery, but it is actually faithfulness, steadfastness, and perseverance,” explains Lisson. “When we faithfully love in repetitive but different ways, we reflect the Lord who is faithful to love us with new mercies every morning.”

Each year, though much of the missions-related work remains the same, the Lord meets us with new mercies and revives the hearts of those who choose to be a part of the program.

It might sound unusual that a high school or middle school student would willingly choose to spend their spring break serving alongside their classmates. However, students consistently describe mission trips as one of the most influential parts of their time at Wesleyan. We pray our posture is always one of service, faithfulness, and gratitude towards the Lord as the missions program continues to go and grow.

BY THE NUMBERS

181 STUDENTS ATTENDED A MISSION TRIP

NUMBER OF FACULTY & STAFF WHO SERVED:

50

$383,630

TOTAL AMOUNT FUNDRAISED

4,500 DONATION SLOTS FILLED BY THE COMMUNITY

~5,000

ENCOURAGEMENT LETTERS WRITTEN