Updated 3/15/12

A spring break missions trip can be one of the most formative experiences our students engage in all year.

The opportunity to get away from campus — leaving all academic stress and pressure behind — to spend a week in the service of others, can serve as a powerful catalyst for substantial growth and formation…

Students are often able to experience God much more readily in the unfamiliar context of a missions destination than they can on campus. And so it’s not surprising to see a week-long experience produce incredible levels of growth in our students.

But the good work that God starts in our students during their spring break missions experience is in jeopardy of falling by the wayside if our students are not intentional to make some life change once they return to campus.

Yes, the return to campus can easily be a return to former ways of thinking, believing and living.

Old habits, misguided priorities, and a self-centered outlook on life can all supplant some of the new thoughts and beliefs that are trying to take root and help establish life change in our students.

One of the better ways I’ve seen students overcome this challenge — and experience ongoing growth and formation — is through finding a place near campus that they can regularly serve.

Significant time spent building relationships, meeting needs, and investing in the community is possible “at home” as well.

Selflessly serving others is at the heart of the gospel.

It’s Good News!

And it’s life changing!!

As students encounter Christ, in tending to the needs of others, both parties experience a tremendous grace.

God is present.

Needs are met.

Students are formed and transformed.

And this kind of experience, service and growth cannot be relegated to just one week out of the year.

The kind of meaningful, selfless service that some of our students experience over spring break can (and should) be made part of their regular college life.

There are likely several opportunities within walking distance of our campuses that our students need to be encouraged to check-out… And we might need to be the ones to encourage them to do so.

Yes, helping students transition back to campus life, after a powerful missions experience, can be a bit of a challenge… But if we can help them find some real, tangible ways to continue to serve others, and make it a consistent part of their lives during their formative college years… well, I think it might just be one of the more crucial things that we do.

So:

• How do you help students transition back to campus life after a formative spring break missions experience?
• How do you help students to make their short-term mission opportunity a stepping stone to a life of service?
• How have you seen major life change in students who choose to commit to consistent local outreach?

Take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

 

photo courtesy of http://www.eastpark.org