Students Invited to Participate in Mission Trips Across the U.S. and in Southern Africa

Gardner-Webb Office of Christian Life and Service Has Five Opportunities Planned in 2023-2024

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The five mission trips planned by the Office of Christian Life and Service for 2023-2024 offer a variety of opportunities from construction and medical assistance to making children with a critical illness smile. Students can also choose from trips in the United States or travel to Eswatini (Swaziland) in Southern Africa. Costs are estimates only and may be adjusted if lower rates become available. For general information about the trips, call Teresa Davis at (704) 406-4277. Applications are available in the Office of Christian Life and Service on the main floor of Tucker Student Center. Contact the leaders for each trip for more detailed information.  

Here are details on each opportunity:  

Fall Break 2023, Oct. 13-17

• Where: Give Kids the World Village in Orlando, Fla.
• Deadline: Applications and $200 deposit due by Sept. 7
• Team Leaders: Teresa Davis, Dr. Eric Davis and Kim Downs
• Estimated cost: $1,020 due Oct. 6, 2023
• Maximum number of students: 20
• Interest meeting: Students can learn more about this trip at an interest meeting on Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. in the Tucker Student Center Chapel.

Give Kids the World Village is an 84-acre, nonprofit resort in central Florida for children who have a critical illness and their families. Guests receive accommodations in fully-furnished villas, transportation, tickets to theme parks, meals, daily entertainment, and more. The team will work at the Village for three days and have a local theme park day. Some of the jobs include serving in Nancy’s Kitchen Dinner Café, Clayton Concierge, Carousel Gate Keeper, and Attractions Operator. For more information, email Teresa Davis or call (704) 406-4277.

Spring 2024, March 10-15

• Where: Samaritan’s Purse/Southeast U.S.
• Deadline: Applications and $100 to cover total cost due by Oct. 9, 2023
• Team Leader: Neal Payne
• Maximum number of students: 10+

The team will participate in disaster relief and/or rebuild projects in response to natural disasters. The exact location will be determined in September, but it will most likely be in the Southeast. Samaritan’s Purse will house and feed team members as they work daily in the community to help people get back into their homes. No prior experience in construction is necessary. Samaritan’s Purse will train volunteers. The group will also have opportunities to share the gospel with the people they are helping. For more information, email Neal Payne or call (704) 406-4278.  

Spring 2024, March 9-16

• Where: NC Baptist on Mission—Inlow Baptist Camp in Tajique, N.M.
• Deadline: Applications and $200 deposit due by Oct. 9, 2023
• Team Leader: Dr. Josh Parrott
• Estimated cost: $930
• Maximum number of students: 10

Inlow Baptist Camp serves over 1,200 children/youth during the summer and offers fall and spring events for adults. The team will assist in the projects needed for the reopening of the camp for the 2024 season. Projects may include: cleaning, painting, landscape work, repairs, etc. For more information, email Dr. Josh Parrott or call (704) 406-4279.  

Summer 2024, May 6-10

• Where: “God’s Love from a Diaper Bag Ministry,” NC Baptist on Mission, Jenkins, Ky. 
• Deadline: Applications and $200 deposit due by Oct. 9, 2023
• Team leaders: Anna S. Hamrick and Nicole Beaver
• Estimated cost: $630
• Number of students: Six

 “God’s Love from a Diaper Bag” is a family and community ministry located in Jenkins, Ky. It serves the poorest of the poor in southeastern Kentucky as well as neighboring counties in southwest Virginia. The team will assist the ministry to care for expectant and new mothers.  Tasks may include clothing distribution, conducting baby showers for expectant mothers, and other opportunities to share God’s love through community health. Once the team is formed, the leaders will assess which projects best suit the team’s interest based on their skills and talents. For more information, email Anna Hamrick or Nicole Beaver.  

Summer 2024, May 4-14

• Where: Kudvumisa Foundation (medical/evangelistic) trip to Eswatini (Swaziland)
• Deadline: Applications and $200 deposit due by Oct. 9, 2023
• Team leaders: Stacy Simmons and Melissa McNeilly
• Estimated cost per person: $3,200
• Maximum number of students: Eight

The team will be working in the Kudvumisa Foundation’s clinic. Paired with their nurses and doctors, the team will be seeing patients, observing ultrasounds, wound care, IV therapy, cervical cancer screening, and other procedures. Team members will do vital signs, weights, and assist in the pharmacy by counting pills and packaging them for their nurses to dispense to patients. The group will also have the opportunity to go out into the surrounding communities with the Foundation’s staff to see patients and do home visits with some disabled children, as well as deliver food to families. Participating in children’s ministry or playing games with the children is also a possibility. For more information email Stacy Simmons or call (704) 406-2176 or email Melissa McNeilly or call (704) 406-2462.  

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. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.