UPIKE Spring Break mission trip 2015 changed lives
0A group of nine UPIKE students and chaplain Rob Musick traveled to Moss Point, Miss., during spring break 2015.
“Bears on a Mission” partnered with the Southern Baptist Missions group, World Changers, to work for a week on a roofing project. World Changers serve throughout the United States and internationally as they complete various construction projects. The UPIKE team worked on a roofing project that saw the team battle through daily obstacles to install a new roof on the “Hope House” at the Mission of Hope Ministries, located in Mobile, Ala.
The three-month Christian program is designed to minister to the men and women who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. The program for men is called Mission of Hope, and the one for a women is called Haven of Hope. Mission of Hope Ministries does not charge for their services and is completely funded by churches, individuals, and businesses who have a heart for helping those who are suffering from addictions.
The UPIKE team left early Saturday morning and traveled to Birmingham, Ala. While in Alabama, they worshipped with Edgewater Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning.
“The church was amazingly gracious as they cooked the team breakfast and shared about the history of the church. After this powerful time of worship and communication, the team then loaded up and finished the long drive to arrive in Moss Point, Miss.,” Musick said.
This trip was a first for many of the UPIKE students, and for junior Kyle Newsome, it was eye opening.
“The executive director, Brother Jim Jordan, was an inspiration for all the work he is doing. Also, seeing the homeless in New Orleans was very eye opening,” said Newsome.
Other students agreed.
“It was an awesome week to learn about sharing the gospel and living the life on mission. I was moved by the opportunity to work with men and women who are recovering from drug addiction. I heard powerful testimonies of how God is helping men and women experience life in light of this painful life of addiction,” said Maleena Little, sophomore.
Daily, the team shared in devotions, worship, and other learning activities while getting to meet various college students from around the country. The team would arrive on the job site daily around 7:30 a.m. and leave around 4 p.m.
It was a tiresome week, and I was homesick for my little boy; yet, it was such a spiritually fulfilling time of service and love. It was a great event for selfless service,” said Cliffton Jones, junior.
Although mission and service were the key focuses of the trip, a UPIKE mission trip also includes cultural learning and a host of diverse experiences. The team experienced different cultural meals, Indian and Honduran. One afternoon was spent walking through the city of New Orleans.
The last educational stop was Birmingham, Ala., to visit the 16th Street Baptist Church and to tour the Civil Rights Institute. Throughout the week, the team felt God move and use them to bless others.
During the mission trip, the nine individuals witnessed the power of changed lives.
“It was good to get out of our comfort zones for spring break and to spend time with like-minded individuals who were focused on improving their Christian walk,” said Wes Rose, freshman.