Students travel the globe

“You can read about it and hear about it, but until you experience it, you can’t understand.”

This common sentiment, often spoken by those who have been on short-term global outreach trips, reflects the desire of Liberty University founder Jerry Falwell to equip students to impact the world, both locally and abroad.

Liberty hosts numerous global trips each year through the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), and those who participate rarely return the same.

“The biggest thing was seeing how active and alive God is beyond the box (of expectations) we put him in,” Nicole, a global engagement participant, said.

This summer alone, Liberty students journeyed to five continents and nine countries, including locations such as Bolivia, England, France, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Kosovo, Ethiopia and the Middle East. Despite their different locations, students shared the common goal of physically and emotionally rebuilding communities, fostering relationships and spreading a message of hope.

According to CGE, natives are often encouraged by the fact that students from across the world love them enough to come and serve. For the many who are in disbelief about the love from strangers, having their physical needs met often leads to a willingness to hear about Christ.

Liberty students are meant to be champions for Christ, wherever he sends them, whether in Lynchburg or across the world. Participating in global teams not only allows students to fulfill this calling, but also provides much needed help and encouragement to communities around the world.

Global teams participants said they were amazed by the instant connections they were able to develop with people from other cultures.

“God isn’t limited by economic status, race, location and language,” Nicole said. “His believers are united in him.”

Whether through typhoon relief projects or coffee house conversations, the need for love and hope was evident to students. Initially thinking they were simply taking a humanitarian trip for others, a majority of students returned with life-changing stories.

A few heard a call to return to the field long-term, while others gained appreciation for those working to share the good news.

The priceless experience of the global outreach trips reminded students of the limitless power of God and how vital prayer in action is. In the end, it is up to God to change the hearts of men, but it is his people’s responsibility to respond to his call to action.

There is no such thing as an ordinary global experience. Global team participants are guaranteed not only an adventure, but a journey with eternal reward.

For more information or to get involved with a global team, visit the CGE website at liberty.edu/globalengagement.

Note: last names have been withheld for security reasons.