Students traveled to three countries and nine states
Henderson, Tennessee — (April 30, 2024) — Freed-Hardeman University social clubs and two independent groups traveled to three countries and nine states during spring break in support of more than a dozen mission trips.
Xi Chi Delta social club organized three mission trips — Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Navajo Nation, Arizona; and Taylorsville, North Carolina. While in Massachusetts, students encouraged the Berkshire County Church of Christ, a congregation of 26 members. Students knocked on more than 1,000 doors to publicize the church in the town and performed several service projects. Sophomore biology major Campbell Scott planned the trip. “The experience made me appreciate how good God’s people can be in encouraging each other and how blessed we are to live in a place where our faith is such a common thing that can be openly acknowledged,” Scott said.
Chi Beta Chi social club conducted four trips — Sarchí, Costa Rica; Canyon Lake, Texas; Keizer, Oregon; and California’s Bay Area. Eighty-one students served congregations by completing projects at church buildings, ministering to the communities and serving others. Junior Mattie Barkley went on the Canyon Lake, Texas mission trip. “I have never seen a group of young adults work so hard, and I am so proud of them,” Barkley said. “I am so grateful that God put this opportunity in my life. He knew I needed this and put in my life the people who were best to do this with.”
Mission chairs Mallorie Gardner and Caleb Hammond organized the trip to Sarchí, Costa Rica. The group ministered to the church in Sarchí by hosting a gospel meeting, a Vacation Bible School (VBS) and a short, youth Christian camp. Campaigners handed out invitations and door-knocked for their events, as well as spent one of their days completing tasks and projects at the local church building.
“We were able to door-knock and invite people to attend gospel meetings,” Hammond said. “We had several visitors who came by and 17 kids attended the Vacation Bible School we held on our last night there. We really believe God was active in the trip. We’re all grateful and humbled.”
Freed-Hardeman’s Phi Kappa Alpha social club brought a team of 57 students and chaperones to serve the church in Chiriqui, Panama. The group was able to teach close to 900 kids in five local schools, over 650 kids between two Vacation Bible Schools and 151 people in Bible studies. Their efforts also yielded five restorations and one baptism.
Students traveled on two independent missions trips to Wisconsin and Ohio. In Spencer, Wisconsin, students led Vacation Bible Schools and served at a shelter for abused women and children as well as at the Ronald McDonald House. In Zanesville, Ohio, students taught Bible classes on Sunday and Wednesday, led a youth night for the area congregations, developed a new website, moved furniture, visited an assisted living facility and performed jobs for shut-ins including power washing, weeding and other minor repairs.
“Overall, we hope that we were an encouragement to the congregation to be on fire for the Lord and that we were a positive influence on the community,” said Bre Tonkery, a senior chemistry major.
Sigma Rho social club returned to Seamark Ranch in Green Cove Springs, Florida. The program offers children with challenging backgrounds support, encouragement and kindness in a peaceful environment. Ben Cooper called the experience incredible noting that everyone grew spiritually in some way. Working together as a team, the FHU students performed chores around the ranch.
“My biggest takeaways from the trip were that ‘teamwork makes the dream work,’” Cooper said. “We needed to work as a team to have the best impact on everyone’s life. We learned that we’re capable of more than we think.”
However, some of the most precious time was spent mentoring the children at the ranch. “The kids had the biggest impact on me,” Cooper said. “The kids really made the trip worth going on. From kickball, basketball, chess, and other games, each thing helped us to love others.”
During Omega Chi’s trip to Mexico, students faced challenges, but also made strides in the community. “We used our resources to buy materials to build concrete foundations for brick ovens that we constructed for some underprivileged families in the community,” Pearce Walker, a junior computer science major, said. “While the guys built the ovens, the girls went and painted a basketball court for a local school which turned out great!”
During the outreach and gospel meeting, two were baptized and one asked for prayers. “We were able to make a great difference in the community and encourage the local congregation in Berriozábal, Chiapas,” Walker said.
The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship, and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees.