by Kathryn McKinley | Feb 19, 2013 | News Slider
Many Lipscomb students escape the “Spring Break” stereotype of sizzling sun and fun on Florida beaches by embarking on mission trips. Approximately 430 Lipscomb students are preparing to spend their spring breaks serving others through mission trips across the United States and beyond. This year, students will be traveling to 10 different countries on 23 different trips to serve others and spread the love of God during the break that begins March 18. Paul Stevens, the Lipscomb Missions Coordinator, said he’s excited about all the good students will do on their mission trips. He also recommended that students should start preparing for their trips now. “It’s important for students to attend their team meetings, fundraise diligently and, most importantly, build relationships with their fellow team members,” Stevens said. Mission teams have already started preparing for their trips, but it is not too late to sign up for a spring break mission trip. Stevens encourages those toying with the idea to not hesitate in joining a team. “What’s keeping you from it?” Stevens said enthusiastically. “There are so many different opportunities. We have a team that, one way or another, is going to incorporate something that you absolutely love to do and glorify God through something that comes to them very naturally.” Lipscomb first year pharmacy student Michelle Roberts, who has been on three Lipscomb mission trips, echoes Stevens’ enthusiasm. “Mission trips are memories you will never forget,” Roberts said. If you are interested in joining a mission trip, information about trips that are still open is available outside of the Missions Center in Ezell. If you have any questions,...
by Erika Thornsberry | Jan 17, 2013 | News Slider
Lipscomb University is always finding ways to give back to the community. University students are known to give up their summers, holidays or just some of their free time. Even a few Lipscomb athletes, already short on time, have not let that get in their way of going on mission trips. Brent High, who is a spiritual leader for the athletes, has been taking teams/athletes to different countries in order for them to give back, whether it’s in the states, Dominican Republic or Honduras. Lipscomb athletes Kelsey Cartwright and Sarah McFarlin both had the opportunity to take a trip to Honduras. Cartwright, who took a trip during the summer, said mission trips are important journeys for students to make. “A person should go on a mission trip at least once in their life,” Cartwright said. “I can look back on my Honduras trip, and it helps me be extremely thankful for everything that I have.” McFarlin just recently got back from a Christmas break trip to Honduras. “Once a person goes on one mission trip, they always want to go on another, “ McFarlin said. “It changes the way you view things as well as your overall outlook on life. Seeing everyone work together is like a glimpse of eternity.” Cartwright said that her trip involved a good deal of hard work, but a few surprises were to be found along the way “We did a lot of manual labor, helping with the construction of the house,” Cartwright said. “The best part was that we only thought we were going to be working, but we got to meet kids...
by Erin Gupton | Dec 13, 2012 | Uncategorized
Lipscomb students who already have been involved in missions know they have benefited and offer encouraging words to those who have committed their time to future mission department adventures. Participating in a mission trip changes you for the positive, said Kathy Short, a junior from Indianapolis. “Going to Germany through Lipscomb Missions opened up my eyes to things that I wouldn’t have experienced through anything else,” she said. “I got out of my comfort zone while I was there, and it helped me grow as a Christian but also just as a person.” Lydia Buckley, a senior from Knoxville, used to work in the missions department and has participated in missions team trips to Cozumel for 3 years. “In doing so, I got to see how the department really tries to plan a trip that best fits specific skill sets,” Buckley said, “and I’ve been able to see all types of people get involved for that reason.” The Lipscomb community is affected by the trips as well because the teams say they come back with deep friendships and a renewed joy for the Lord. “Through the missions department, I’ve been able to make so many meaningful relationships at Lipscomb and in Cozumel, and it’s been a blessing,” Buckley said. “Instead of going to the beach for a week, I got to participate in the Kingdom of God in a very tangible way and grow closer to the teammates.”...
by Erin Gupton | Oct 27, 2012 | Uncategorized
Lipscomb holds over 40 mission trips all around the world, but there is only one mission trip created just for women. For the past two years, Lipscomb ladies have embarked on a journey into the Republic of Moldova over the summer. Moldova is known for its high population of orphans and its sex trafficking epidemic. “Moldova is a very poor country in between Ukraine and Romania,” said Kelsey Shipman, a senior from Advance, N.C. “It’s a very small country, but despite the broken streets and poverty, it still manages to be beautiful.” Kelli Blackshear, a junior from Jacksonville, Fla. and two-year veteran of the team, said the goal of this mission trip is “to love on girls that don’t receive enough love or respect where they’re from, and who are in danger of being taken advantage of.” Lipscomb students have the opportunity to sign up for the Moldova mission trip when Commitment Week comes around Nov. 5-9. This is the week in which the registration process for mission trips begins. While in Moldova the small team of about 13 women works alongside Justice and Mercy International, an organization that fights sex trafficking and other social injustices throughout the world. JMI noticed the need for a transitional house for 16-year-old girls who have left the orphanages in Moldova and have nowhere to go. To meet that need, JMI founded The Grace House. By taking these girls in until they are 21, TGH saves many of them from being sex trafficked. The Lipscomb team partners with TGH to teach these girls practical tasks that will help them provide for themselves when...
by Erin Gupton | Oct 18, 2012 | News Slider
Dodge ball tournaments and dinners are just two of the ways Lipscomb students have been sharing the love of God on a remote island in the Caribbean. Saba is a 5-square-mile island in the Dutch Caribbean that is home to only 1,600 people—that’s less that the number enrolled as undergraduate students at Lipscomb. Every spring break, Lipscomb sends a mission team to this small island. The team begins mission work after landing in a 15-passenger plane on a 400-yard runway, the shortest commercial strip in the world. “The main goal of this trip is to foster relationships with the people on the island. The culture is not a religious one, so we are there to be living examples of someone with morals and a relationship with God,” said Virginia Burkhart, a junior from Brentwood, Tenn. Though Saba is small, it is safe. Crime is nearly nonexistent—in fact, there are only 12 police officers. “The Saba natives are very hospitable; they smile every time they see you,” said Alex Rector, a senior from Columbia, Tenn. “Plus, they are great cooks!” Lipscomb students have the opportunity to sign up for the Saba mission trip again when Commitment Week comes around Nov. 5-9. This is the week in which the registration process for mission trips begins. While in Saba, the Lipscomb team visits the only school during the day and holds island-wide events each night. These events range from a dodge ball tournament, to a cookout, to an NBA night. “We just want to show them love, and one of the ways we do that is through activities,” said Shelton Brewer, a senior from...
