2013 go book
DESCRIPTION
Global Opportunity trips at Union UniversityTRANSCRIPT
“Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but
an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am
writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because
the darkness is passing away and the true light is
already shining.” 1 John 2:7-8
Here, the Apostle John encourages all Christians to trust that the victory of God has already occurred. The light of Christ is already shining and as a result we are no longer slaves to sin, but we are able to follow Christ’s commands and genuinely love our brothers and sisters. Through the power of the gospel, the darkness in our world and in our hearts is passing away!
How can we trust that victory is on the way?
John tells us that we see it wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is held high and the love of God flourishes among His people. And God is doing this victorious and redemptive work all over the world—throughout nations, in cities, and in our own backyard. The light is already shining all around us. With this simple yet profound promise, John gives us hope that both the Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) can be fulfilled in and through our commitment to love one another and to share the love of Christ with others.
At Union University, we believe that loving service and care for our neighbors is the best avenue for sharing the gospel of God’s love. And telling others this good news is the most loving thing we can do for them. In all that we do, we are seeking to balance Great Commandment service and Great Commission love.
The Global Opportunities (GO) Trips provide members of the Union University community the chance to practice the transformational love of Christ through service to our neighbors and in sharing the gospel of God’s love. GO Trips model for students this missional lifestyle of service and sharing by offering ministry opportunities in one these three aspects: living, serving, or learning.
Living – GO Trips placing students in strategic ministry settings for an extended summer residence.
Serving – GO Trips offering students specific hands-on experience in a range of ministries and service contexts.
Learning – GO Trips highlighting unique ways students can apply what they have gained in the classroom or more intentionally integrate study and mission.
GO 3
BOtswana• Connecting with university students in
Botswana, leading them towards life-changing conversations, and partnering with them to reach the nations
• Beginning and fostering new discipleship groups of university age youth throughout the capital city
• Partnering with a local church to plant new churches through discipleship of both youth and vulnerable children
Central asia* • Studying language as a summer school
student in this Central Asian city and developing relationships with other students
• Sharing the good news with Muslim students at a prestigious university which currently has no Christian witness
• Being an integral part of a long-term, disciple-making strategy in one of the world’s largest unreached cities
east asia* • Taking a language course and
developing relationships with other students on campus
• Sharing the gospel with Asian students who have never heard the truth of Christ
• Modeling discipleship characterized by radical obedience and a passion for building the church
* Specific locations withheld for security reasons. More information about trips to these locations is available in the Office of Spiritual Life (SUB).
Please see special application instructions for Living GO Trips.
“And as our time together was coming to a close, the eight men got
together and we spent time in prayer; however, our time in prayer was
spent simply praising God for who He has proven Himself to be. As I
sat there, I was struck with the magnitude of the reality that God has
invited me into His global purpose here in Botswana, and that because
of who God is, He will bring this purpose to fruition. - BOtswana
”
“After spending the summer with
these friends, I’ve found their hearts
becoming mine, and I’ve begun to
weep for them. There is so much
darkness here. Yet there is so much
light. And the darkness cannot
overcome it. - Central asia
”
“Our hearts were encouraged to cling to the Father and
trust in His Word so that His Word might overflow
into our friends’ lives. - Central asia
”
GO livinG 5
“We witnessed firsthand the church’s boldness and
intentionality with their neighbors and saw the love
Christ flow through them to their community. We were
encouraged by their faith and boldness to be diligent to
share Christ here in Jackson. - nashville
”
“We need to remember that we have to live
missionally in our everyday life, whether that
means going out and working in your own
community or simply being intentional in showing
the love of Christ in everything you do. - tampa
”
“Prayer and scripture are integral for the
daily life of any believer—we are lost on our
own without them and without other believers.
God fills us with the strength we need when we
need it, as we trust and obey. - nashville
”
“I learned that there is a lot of spiritual pride bound up in
the way I think about worship. I like having a certain aesthetic in
worship and don’t want to look foolish. This experience made me
realize that those things aren’t really that important when
held in comparison to glorifying God. - BOstOn
”
Church PlantingBOstOnAssisting church plants in the greater Boston area in outreach and service to the community
nashvillePartnering with Redeemer Church (Hendersonville) in affluent neighborhoods and on a local campus to address spiritual needs in a context of Christian nominalism
new OrleansComing alongside Hope Church to engage the greater New Orleans area with the gospel by serving communities, neighborhoods, local schools, and families
new YOrk CitYPartnering with Gallery Church in the endless ministry opportunities available in a city that is home to over 800 language groups and cultures
tampaServing alongside Covenant Life Church to work with local schools, organizations, families, college students, young professionals, and the urban poor
GO servinG 7
“It was enlightening to hear the redemptive story of the Lord’s work
in the lives of students who were raised in atheist backgrounds.
The complete change of thinking and lifestyle in these students
encouraged our team to be more intentional with sharing the
gospel and in our relationships with others. - GermanY
”
“God was gracious to bring into
our lives people who needed
to hear the gospel as well as
people who encouraged us in
our faith. - BOtswana
” “The week was a clear
illustration of how the different
talents and passions of people
in the church are used by God
for one purpose, the furthering
of His kingdom. - sOs memphis
”
Collegiate MinistryGermanYWorking with a university ministry to participate in outreach events and build relationships with students in order to point them to Christ
illinOisPartnering with a local church in outreach efforts on the campus of Southern Illinois University (SIU) and the city of Carbondale
prOvidenCePartnering with Grace Harbor Community Church to build relationships and share Christ with college students on campuses without an evangelical witness
Orphan CarehOndurasContinuing work on construction projects at Orphanage Emmanuel as well as loving, playing with, and ministering to children
Community DevelopmentBdC memphis Working on an urban farm and serving alongside a holistic Christian community development partnership that is serving its neighborhood through education, job training, housing, and health care
lOuisvilleServing the homeless and hurting of Louisville by partnering with Jefferson Street Baptist Center in a variety of service projects with an emphasis on building relationships
sOs memphisWorking with Service over Self (SOS) Memphis, a local inner-city ministry that exists to glorify God in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ by renovating homes of the economically disadvantaged
GO servinG 9
“God used the children and staff at Emmanuel to show me
that the gospel is more powerful than I ever realized. It can
heal broken hearts, fill emptiness and longing, create life
out of death, and bring light to even the darkest places.
- hOnduras
”
IsraelExperiencing Middle Eastern culture by building relationships with Jewish and Arab people in Israel and studying the history and geography of biblically significant sites in Israel
North Africa*enGineerinG, sCienCe, and FrenCh (esF)Using the practical application of technology to meet physical needs and provide an avenue to begin life-changing conversations with local people
“I’m so grateful for Union’s desire to educate us,
as well as simultaneously disciple us to be wider and
more action-minded believers. - israel
”
“Our trip reminded me of the reality that we are at war
with the powers of darkness. Satan’s primary goal is
to keep the lost in darkness forever. Once light has come to
a place, darkness cannot overcome it. We already know
the victory is ours. - nOrth aFriCa esF
”
“I couldn’t help but think of
the global scope of Christ’s
redemptive plan… Christ
is truly reconciling and
building up one people
for Himself. Even in a
complicated, sinful world,
He is making all things
new. - israel
”
Why GO• Gain insight into God’s desire to be praised
by all peoples• Begin to see your unique role in taking the
gospel to all nations • Discover new cultures and see how God is
continually at work around the world• Further develop your Christian worldview • Receive training and instruction that will
benefit you far beyond your GO Trip• Minister and spend time with fellow students
and Union faculty, staff, and alumni
How to GO• Participate in GO Week, September 17–21• Pick up Fact Sheets about each GO Trip• Read the GO Trip FAQs at
www.uu.edu/events/go/faq.cfm • Prayerfully consider each opportunity• Complete online GO Trip Application at
www.uu.edu/events/go/forms• Attend the GO Trip Kickoff, training sessions,
and team meetings• Be flexible, available, and teachable• Maintain a 2.0 GPA
What to know• Wednesday, August 29
GO Trip Info Available• Monday–Friday, September 17–21
GO Week• Wednesday, September 19
Early Bird GO Trip Application Deadline • Monday, September 24
GO Trip Application Deadline• Monday, October 8
GO Trip Kick-Off• Wednesday, October 17
GO Trip Deposit Due
Where to GO
winter Germany
Israel
sprinG Break BDC Memphis Boston Honduras Illinois Louisville Nashville New Orleans New York City North Africa (ESF)* Providence SOS Memphis Tampa
summer (8 weeks)
Botswana East Asia* Central Asia*
* Specific locations withheld for security reasons. More information about trips to these locations is available in the Office of Spiritual Life (SUB).
Please see special application instructions for Summer/Living GO Trips.
Find out more about GO trips at union university uu.edu/events/go
E x c E l l E n c E - d r i v E n c h r i s t- c E n t E r E d P E o P l E - f o c u s E d f u t u r E - d i r E c t E d
Office of Spiritual Life UU Box # 1812
1050 Union University Dr. Jackson, TN 38305
731.661.5062 uu.edu/spirituallife
Gregory Thornbury Vice President for Spiritual Life
731.661.5082 | [email protected]
Taylor Worley Associate Dean for Spiritual Life 731.661.5971 | [email protected]
Julie Bradfield Director of Student Mobilization
731.661.5242 | [email protected]
David Carothers Assistant Director of Student Mobilization
731.661.5571 | [email protected]
Aaron Beasley Student Mobilization Graduate Assistant
731.661.5161 | [email protected]
Elizabeth Ward Office Coordinator
731.661.5062 | [email protected]
Keely Hart Director of Discipleship
731.661.6598 | [email protected]
Lee Wilson Director of Discipleship
731.661.5165 | [email protected]