 “A
Missions trip is equivalent to a concentrated
internship. You are actually doing the work a missionary does,
learning to function in a culture not your own. It moves you out
of your comfort zone and into a place where you can discover God’s
call for your life.”
Dr.
Cecil Taylor, Dean, School of Christian Studies
Learning to wire a church, teaching English as a second
language, and sharing the Good News with someone who speaks Portuguese
when you don’t are just some of the ways God can use you as a
member of a University Missions team.
The University Missions program is open to all University
of Mobile students, as well as friends, family, and church members from the community. In its first 17
years of operation, University Missions sent teams into Australia, Grand Cayman, Argentina, Bangladesh, Wales, Israel, Venezuela, Scotland, Belize, Brazil,
China, the Netherlands Antilles, Spain,
Japan, Italy, Namibia, Canada, Zambia, Russia, Ireland, Norway, Niger, France, Greece, Taiwan, Barbados, Turkey, Macedonia, Chile, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Germany. Approximately 1266 people served on a
total of 101 teams to date(Aug 2008), and University Missions raised over
$3.5 million to cover expenses and supplies for these teams.
 University Missions teams led open-air and local church
gospel meetings, Vacation Bible Schools, Youth Coffeehouse ministries, Backyard
Bible Clubs, English as Second Language classes, Spiritual Emphasis weeks and
DiscipleNow weekends. Among other things, team members engaged in both heavy and light construction
projects, taught in seminaries and theological institutes, provided health assessment clinics, and conducted praise
and prayer walks. During this period, over 10,350 people prayed to receive
Christ. More than 80 former team members, following their University Missions
trips, became cross-cultural missionaries, either long- or short-term.
“The
University Missions program at the University of Mobile is remarkable
in two ways,” says Dr. Taylor. “First, it is among the
few programs of its kind, if not the only one, that offers students
academic credit for cross-cultural missions experience. As an added
incentive, all Cross-cultural Missions courses (missions trips) are
offered to students at a discounted tuition rate.
 “Second, University Missions trips are open to members
of local churches outside the university student body. Roughly 60 churches, including
both Anglo and African-American congregations, in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, and Colorado have provided members for University of Mobile
teams.”
GOALS
University Missions has three main goals. 1) To bring Chrisitan influence to bear on people of other nations with the aim of bringing them to Christ. 2) To assist field personnel in carrying out their goals and plans for which they need assistance. Teams form in response to requests generated on the field. 3) To build in students a heart for missions whether they go as career personnel or use their global vision to best effect in their neighborhoods and churches at home.
HOW CAN YOU HAVE A PART IN UNIVERSITY MISSIONS
PRAY
Without prayer, no University Team can hope to succeed. Pray that God will raise up the team he needs to do the job at hand. Pray that God will prepare the team mentally and spiritually for the challenges they will face in travel, on the field, and upon their return. Pray that God will provide the money necessary to cover the cost of each project.
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GIVE
University Missions could not operate without generous contributions from families, friends, churches and other supporters. The basic cost of a University Mission project is $2800 per person. This can increase depending on plane ticket prices at the time of purchase. $2800 is a lot of money but covers almost everything trip-connected. Each team member is responsible to solicit donations or make contributions totaling that amount (or more, if necessary). One of the most valuable things team members learn in this process is that God pays the bills for what He orders.
In addition, University Missions needs thousand of dollars each year for materials and supplies. This money does not come from the University but is given by friends and supporters who think this program valuable.
Donations are charitable contributions that may be tax deductible if you itemize. To give, please make your check payable to University of Mobile, include a note with the name of the student that solicited the gift (if this appplies) and mail it to:
Attn: Dr. Cecil Taylor
University of Mobile
5735 College Parkway
Mobile AL 36613
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GO
This program was designed for University of Mobile students, but students from other colleges, as well as friends, family members, and local church members may join University Missions teams on a "space available" basis (unless the field personnel specify othersise). University of Mobile students must register for three hours credit (CST425). Credit is available for others upon request.
To apply, print out the application, fill it out and mail it with your non-refundable deposit (applicable to the cost of the trip), to:
Attn: Dr. Cecil Taylor
University of Mobile
5735 College Parkway
Mobile AL 36613
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University Missions Application
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
University Missions
Opportunities 2008-2009
Base cost for Guatemala $1800/all others $2800.
CHRISTMAS BREAK 2008
Mali—December 10-19. Survey work, Bible Storying and evangelism in Timbuktu. Team of 12 led by Dr. Wilson.
Isle of Man—December 10-19. Prayer walks and surveys among Gaelic speaking peoples on this island. Team of 12 led by Dr. Taylor.
SUMMER 2009
Greece – May 12-23. Prayer walking, evangelistic surveys, refugee ministry, ESL instruction, Roma children ministry, concerts in Thessaloniki. Team of 12. Robertson.
Guatemala – May 16-23. Ministry to children and light construction at Agua Viva orphanage in Chimaltenago. Team of 12. Olsen.
Chile – May 15-26. Prayer walks, ESL classes, Backyard Bible clubs in schools in Vallenar. Team of 12. Younce.
Ireland – Late May (TBA). Prayer walks among Gaelic speakers in Galway. Team of 6. Wilson.
New Zealand – May 21-30. Prayer walks, personal evangelism, discipleship. City TBA. (May default to Tasmania, Australia, in Hobart.) Team of 12. Taylor.
Japan – June 6-16. Prayer walks, English ministries, ministry on college campuses in Tokyo. Team of 12. Quiett.
Brazil – June 12-22. Light construction, Backyard Bible Clubs, home visits, health assessment clinics in Joao Pessoa. Team of 12. Taylor.
Middle Eastern Country – July 6-15. English conversation and discipleship. Team of 6. Taylor.
Wales—July 17-26. Holiday Bible Club (VBS) and youth ministry in Garw Valley. Team of 8. Younce.
CHRISTMAS BREAK 2009
England – December 7-16. Prayer walks among Cornish speakers in Cornwall. Team of 8. Taylor.
To learn how you can be a
part of upcoming University Missions projects, contact:
Dr. Cecil Taylor
Dean, School of Christian Studies
5735 College Parkway
Mobile, AL 36613-2842
1-800-WIN-RAMS
(251) 442-2255
ctaylor@mail.umobile.edu
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