FHU Students and Faculty Participate in Missions Over Winter Break

Three different groups from Freed-Hardeman University took mission trips to Costa Rica and Mexico over winter break.

Kirk Brothers and Chuck Morris, both faculty members at FHU, coordinated a Future Ministers’ Camp Jan. 2-8 at Camp Jenny Sue near Sarchi, Costa Rica. FHU students Minor Perez, Jr., Cody Childers and Christopher Wright served as counselors for the 32 campers between the ages of 13-26. Brothers, Morris and Childers conducted another Future Ministers’ Camp the next week in Panama City, Panama, where 30 campers between the ages of 12-22 participated.

“The purpose of these camps is to train young men to deliver sermons, practice personal evangelism, and lead in worship. We also introduce them to the basics of youth ministry and the basics of ministry in general in the Lord’s church,” Brothers said. One of the campers of the camp in Costa Rica, Heiner Montealto, said that "there are no words to describe this work and I am sure that God delights to have pillars in this world for His service...I was encouraged and learned much that I want to share with other young people in my congregation.”

A VBS group led by Frank Bradford traveled to Barva, Costa Rica, Jan. 7; seven FHU students were involved in working with the Iglesia de Cristo in Barva. Once preparations were made, the students conducted VBS, taught morning lessons and went door knocking throughout the community. Wright, who was a part of this trip as well as the Future Ministers’ Camp, preached a sermon in Spanish on Sunday and taught the pre-youth class.

Elsa Sims, one of the students on the trip, said, “The trip was a huge blessing to me and all those involved. Seeds were planted, and I can’t wait to see what God has planned!”

Members of Xi Chi Delta, one of the social clubs at FHU, and their friends went to the City of Children orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico, Dec. 27--Jan. 2. The City of Children cares for more than 100 children who have been abandoned, neglected or abused. KaKole Cook, a graduate student at FHU, led the group of 18 as they visited church members, helped with Christmas activities and supplied food to struggling families.

At night, the group coordinated a VBS and Bible classes for the children. They also provided the children with fun activities like a movie and Zumba night. Cook, who has been to the City of Children several times, said that “the work that God is doing there is incredible. The people there display such a strong will to spread God’s word. The visits that we provide encourage them as well as help meet physical needs.”