By Zane Ewton
Communications Staff
The GCU missions program is set to expand with a new vision for Global Outreach.
Jacob Page, GCU Global Outreach Director, is leading the charge to create a passion and awareness in students that will stay with them long after graduation.
“Our vision is a lot bigger than just mission trips,” says Page. “The heart behind Global Outreach is to create a global awareness that is part of our University DNA.”
Page has led more than 15 mission trips, visited more than 20 countries and lived overseas for a year. His passion for global outreach is contagious.
“Part of the GCU Mission is to create globally minded leaders,” he says. “Mission trips can create the passion and awareness necessary to be globally minded. Exposure plus experience equals passion.”
Page is creating a strategy team consisting of faculty and students who have been part of past missions efforts and are committed to developing new opportunities for students to serve. The opportunities will extend from the following three efforts:
- Short-term Global Connection Mission trips.
- Embrace international students and families in our community.
- Global awareness through biblical education and global issues
The training and preparations for mission trips will be much more extensive says Page. It all starts with the question, “Why go?”
“There are important steps we want to make sure every mission-minded student takes,” he says. “We want them prepared for the trip, to make the best of the trip and then come home with a commitment to continue growing from that experience.”
October 4-8 is Global Outreach Week and features a number of activities, information sessions and more. The dates and locations for 2010-11 trips will be available and students can begin submitting their applications along with the $100 deposit. The cost of each trip will vary.
For more information, please contact Jacob Page at 602.639.6220 or [email protected].
