Every year over spring break, Northwestern students have the opportunity to travel with faculty members to various locations, both domestically and internationally, to serve with one another on Spring Service Partnerships (SSPs). This year, there will be nine domestic locations, including the Coldwater Foundation in Grand Marais, MN; Calvary Commission in Lindale, TX; Hope for Opelousas in Opelousas, LA; Urban Impact in New Orleans, LA; Youth Front in Kansas City, KS; Mile High Ministries in Denver, CO; Mescalero Reformed Church in Mescalero, NM; World Renew in Mayfield, KY; and City Church of Compton in Compton, CA. This year’s four international sights include the Al Raja School in Manama, Bahrain; the Youth Front in Croc, Mexico; the World Team in San Jose, Costa Rica; and Baja California Sur in Mexico.
Each of these sights will be led by one or two students, as well as a staff or faculty member from NW. Some of the student leaders have thoughts to share on why they are excited to lead and serve on their trips.
Jordan Bjork, a sophomore elementary education major, will be leading the trip to Urban Impact in New Orleans, LA. “I felt a strong calling that this was the opportunity I needed to develop and grow more my relationship with God and also my peers,” Bjork said. “I already have two people signed up and I am super excited to see the updated list of who is going to be attending on this trip!”
Another student leader who is excited to see the work that God will do in and through their team is Leandro Costa, a sophomore business administration and marketing major who will be leading the trip to Baja California Sur with Erin Brouwer, a junior psychology major. When asked why he had the desire to serve internationally, Costa said, “I feel there is a lot already being done in the U.S., so to reach further places is an even more honorable action.”
Kendyl Ruschy, a junior nursing major, will be leading the trip to Mayfield, KY. In the past, Ruschy has been an SSP participant on the Compton, CA and Mescalero, NM trips. She is looking forward to serving in a new place with new people. “I want our team to do whatever God has in store for us – whether it be physical labor or sharing stories and laughs,” Ruschy said. “I also hope to create valuable relationships and spread the love of Jesus to all those we encounter.”
The trip to Croc, Mexico, will be led by Zoe Bruflat, a junior nursing major, as well as Tirzah Wittenberg, a senior nursing major. Bruflat had the opportunity to go on the Croc SSP last year, and she is grateful for the opportunity to lead the trip this year. “I chose this location because I absolutely fell in love with the culture, community and relationships I formed in Croc last March,” said Bruflat. “After studying Spanish for the past eight years, I loved having the opportunity to utilize and further my knowledge of the Spanish language and the Hispanic culture. I could not imagine not going back to the place that radically transformed my relationship with God, others, and the world around me!”
Applications to be a part of an SSP are open now through Dec. 8, and can be accessed on My Northwestern. Anyone who has a desire to serve, to be challenged, and to grow closer to God and their peers is encouraged to apply!
