Missions Takes Center Stage At Simpson University

By Ryan Gavin

Every fall, Global Impact week takes over Simpson’s campus. It’s a time for students to find out what mission trips Simpson will be offering, and why they should go on one.

This year, Global Impact Week took place from September 22-26. During that week, Chapels were rebranded in the name of missions. 

Image from Simpsonu.edu

Wednesday’s chapel was used to announce the 13 mission trip locations. Options range from the Pacific Northwest, to Senegal, or even Indonesia. The World Serve staff at Simpson also spoke to students about the why of missions.  

“I think short term mission trips are so unique that each person can have a different why and not be wrong,” Brandon Hall, Simpson’s Missions Coordinator, said. 

“When you actually get to see the brokenness of this world and the difference in worship, church gatherings and lifestyles, you start to look at the world in a broader sense,” he said. 

Hall experienced this first-hand and wants other students to as well. 

“You won’t only see the world from a broader perspective, but you will live your life from that perspective, which means that you’re not living your life just for you, but you’re living for your neighbour, unreached people groups, and for the ends of the earth,” Hall said.

Laura Reed, a pre-nursing student at Simpson, grew up in a tribal area of Mexico, where her parents worked as missionaries.

“I loved every second of it, and it shaped me to who I am today, and has made me want to go back into ministry,” Reed said.

She urges student to go on a mission trip. Reed says the experience will change students’ perspective, and serving will change their hearts. 

Friday’s chapel gave students who went on a mission trip last spring the opportunity to share their story and to inspire the next wave of missionaries.  

During the spring, around 65 students went on a World Serve mission trip across ten locations. 

“This year, we’re hoping to send around a hundred students,” Hall said.

Hall and Reed aren’t alone, as Gabe Fröhlich (Global Outreach and Fundraising), Nick Muro (Media & Fundraising), Wendy Macias (Overseas & Local Outreach), and Nieva Parsons (Internships & Design) help set up the trips through outreach and fundraising. 

Locations include: 

Central Asia 

Senegal 

Manchester 

Brazil  

Ecuador 

El Salvador 

Alaska 

Miami 

New York 

Indonesia 

Panama 

Costa Rica 

Pacific Northwest 

For more information on all things Mission, go to https://simpsonu.edu/student-development/campus-life/missions/ or follow World Serve’s Instagram: @suworldserve