Gardner-Webb Students Share Smiles and Laughter on Fall Mission Trips

Team Served at Give Kids the World Village to Uplift, Encourage and Spread Joy to ‘Wish’ Families

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—During fall break, two Gardner-Webb University teams embraced opportunities to serve others and share Christ’s love. One team ministered with SCORE (Sharing Christ Our Redeemer Everywhere) International in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic, while the other group volunteered at Give Kids the World (GKTW) Village in Orlando, Fla.

Beyond these recent experiences, the Gardner-Webb Office of Christian Life and Service also provides opportunities in the spring and summer for students to serve nationally and internationally. Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service Dr. Josh Parrott explained that offering these trips invites students to share the “greatest news in the history of the world … God offers the restoration of the fractured relationship with humanity through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus,” he asserted. “And we want students to join us in this greatest cause in all the world—making disciples of King Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). I hope all of our students will prayerfully consider how they might serve God and humanity on a mission trip with us!”

The trip was also a reminder to treat people with kindness. “I learned to truly cherish each day as the blessing that it is,” asserted Sophie Hutchens, a sophomore nursing major from Pilot Mountain, N.C.  “The families at Give Kids the World reminded me how important it is to be kind to everyone, because you never know what someone might be going through. I’ll always remember the joy on the kids’ and families’ faces after small moments of service such as coloring their hair or painting their nails in the spa, or helping carry their trays in the café. Those simple acts of kindness created so much happiness, and seeing that reminded me how powerful compassion can be.”

The group that went to GKTW village was led by Teresa Davis, administrative assistant to the Office of Christian Life and Service, and her husband, Eric. Since 2019, they have taken six teams of students to the village. “We have served many places, but GKTW’s mission to uplift, encourage, spread joy and care for the ‘wish’ families took my heart to another level,” Davis described. “It is a wonderful place to take students to serve others with special circumstances and needs.”

She added, “Every team is different. The work changes from trip to trip, so I am always excited to see what they offer us to do. We are so blessed, and to share joy with those who are tired and weary—it’s the best!”

A nonprofit 89-acre resort, GKTW provides children with a critical illness and their families with free accommodations in fully-furnished villas, as well as transportation, tickets to theme parks, meals, daily entertainment, and much more. The Gardner-Webb team worked at the Village for three days, taking volunteer shifts in the “Clayton Café” (large food court), ice cream shop, pool concession stand, Castle, attractions, and arcade. They also drove the breakfast carts and helped in other ways. Before coming back to campus, the group enjoyed a day at a Florida theme park.

A favorite moment on the trip for Hutchens was working attractions with Davis. “A little girl came running up, and she was so excited to ride,” Hutchens offered. “She ended up riding it seven times in a row, and each time she came around, she was giggling with the biggest smile on her face. Afterward, she told us, ‘I would ride this 100 times, this is the best ride ever!’ This was such a joyful reminder that even something as simple as running an attraction can create lasting happiness. That small moment showed me how these experiences not only impact the children and families but also deeply touch us as volunteers. It’s a memory I’ll always carry with me.”

Through that experience, Hutchens fulfilled her intentions for going on the trip. “I felt called to serve families who are walking through something so difficult,” she affirmed. “My goal was to help make their day a little brighter, whether through a simple conversation, helping with activities, or just sharing a smile. I wanted to be part of creating special moments for them, filled with joy and light during a time that can feel unimaginable. Being able to show kindness and compassion to those children and their families was something I really wanted to experience and contribute to.”

The joy of helping the families was one of the reasons that senior BryceLynn Glover wanted to go to GKTW for the second time. During this trip, she worked in the Rockin’ Spa, giving the children makeovers with temporary hair wax. She made their ideas come true using purple, pink, green, red, and orange. “I was able to do braids, mohawks, twists, and ponytails for each child,” Glover explained. “Giving these children their dream hairdo was so much fun not only for me, but also for them!”

One child wanted a mohawk and she will always remember his reaction when she finished his new do. The little boy spoke French, and his father, who spoke English, told her what the son wanted. “After each step in the process, I would show a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to the little boy and wait for a head nod or shake of approval before continuing,” Glover related. “At the very end, when his mohawk was complete, he looked up with the biggest grin and said, ‘Thank you,’ to me in English. I will always carry that smile with me everywhere I go because I was able to make him happy during his time at GKTW.”   

Give Kids the World Team Members

• Teresa Davis
• Eric Davis
• Lacey Cozart
• Emily Ferguson
• Brycelynn Glover
• Sophia Hutchens
• Jariah Shippy
• Jaylee Smith
• Katelyn Spangler
• Oliva Tate

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.