Each year, students on the Northwestern’s campus have an opportunity to serve others around the world, whether that is locally through an internship or on a Spring Service Partnership. One of the opportunities provided to students on campus is a Summer of Service (SOS). The SOS program offers students the opportunity to travel the world while also serving through Christ’s undoubted love.
Students each summer are granted the opportunity to travel the world while serving people of the land. This summer, 17 students will have the opportunity to travel and serve in Kazakhstan, India, Zambia, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, England, Greece and Thailand. Other students will stay in the Americas, serving mainly in Compton, CA.
NW students Abbie Segerstrom and Erin Brouwer both expressed their excitement to go on their separate trips. Segerstrom is traveling to Bangkok, Thailand, and specifically explained how she came upon the idea and why she is excited to go. “I went to the information meeting not knowing what would happen,” she explained. “After deciding to go to Thailand, I came upon the realization that God may be using this trip to help me lean on Him and trust in Him.”
Brouwer also expressed how she believes God is using her to do his ministry. “I was inspired by other people and felt called to go on a trip,” Brouwer said. “Once I agreed, several doors started opening and I began to see God’s provision through it all.”
Segerstrom expressed what she would be doing in Thailand, as well. “My trip will start on May 31 with me returning on August. 1,” she said. “I will be teaching college students conversational English as well as an evangelistic curriculum to follow it up. This will be my summer plan for two classes every weekday, each two hours in length.”
Though the students surely expressed their enjoyment and excitement for the upcoming summer, they also expressed just how much work will need to be done. “There is a big need for ministry in Athens, Greece, which is my SOS location,” Brouwer explained. “Myself, plus two other women, will be staying in Athens for eight weeks in total. Within this stay, we will be practicing a lot of ministry of presence, which will include engaging with people, preparing meals and leading Bible studies.”
Overall, the students are both excited and nervous to make their journeys, no matter where they go. Throughout the past years, each team has focused on different people with different gifts who are willing to serve and be a witness to Christ. The team in whole has remained consistent in nature, although each year some of the sites change. Patrick Hummel, the Director of Missions, focuses on making sure that every student is safe in each location.
The sights and travels will prove to be different for each student, but the people involved are hoping to find the best in every situation. Each trip, though similar in several ways, focuses on a different aspect of the Christian faith each day. Each day, they will be sharing their faith with the world.
