Where do I begin? As many of you know, I was at Mississippi State (MSU), working on a Masters of Foreign Language (Spanish). I am now finished and we have begun the next stage of what God has for us. We are now pursuing college ministry in El Salvador.
This is a little bit of the History of how "it all started."
We are grateful for all the Lord has done in our lives and how He has guided and taken care of us. We had been praying about our next step—after completion of my Masters. God has laid a desire for missions on our hearts. As some of you are aware, Kim and I (along with David and Amy Horner), have taken high school students to Guatemala and El Salvador on basketball mission trips (during our spring breaks) the past few years. We believe God used these trips in various ways: to teach and open our eyes and of those we took, but He also began laying the foundation for us. We believe God has laid this desire on our hearts to continue doing His work through missions.
Goal
We are planning to live in El Salvador for the next 2 years,Lord willing, and work with Bob Kendrick through his ministry (www.kendrickministries.com). Bob has been an independent Southern Baptist missionary to El Salvador for 20+ years: he has been/is involved in church planting, Christian radio ministry, and currently is working with Evangelical University of El Salvador. He is involved in formulating their Christian Education curriculum, ethics classes, and Spiritual Outreach to faculty and students. It is the college ministry that we will have an opportunity to be involved and assist Bob.
I am teaching English classes and coaching basketball (men and women) at the University. The University is beginning student fellowship ministries (cell groups) that are being led by strong Christian students. This is an area of ministry that excites Kim and me—we have always enjoyed working with teenagers and college age students. In addition, my athletic background (coaching and being an athletic director) is being used in different opportunities. As I write this and think about all the different opportunities for ministry, I am filled with an unexplainable joy. I know this is what God has in store for us. This is the easy part.
for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
How, then, can they call on the one the have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom the have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
- Romans 10:13-15
Plan of Action
Why work on a college campus?
l According to statistics on ES (CIA.gov) the average median age is 22.5, if Christians can reach this age group for Christ true change can happen.
l College students in a academia setting are one of the best means to reach this young generation
Why teach English and use Education as a means for Evangelism?
l English is a “universal” language of business, international government, policy, commerce…
l There is a great demand in countries around the world for English teachers (Teaching English as a Second Language-TESOL- is a major in many universities and the program is growing)
l Education is a means of molding the leaders of tomorrow—think about the many Evangelical universities throughout America.
l Why? Because these students will become the next leaders in our homes, churches, mission work (missionaries), government, schools (teachers)… all this impacting a change for Christ.
