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SUMMER OF SERVICE Northwestern College - 2022

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16

Every summer since 1981, around 20 Northwestern College students have spent 6 to 10 weeks serving as short-term missionaries through Summer of Service (SOS). They have served on six continents and in around 90 countries. They raise the money to cover transportation, room and board, and program expenses, mostly from family, friends, their home churches and on-campus service projects.

They have traveled to countries like Albania, Bolivia, Fiji, Ghana, Haiti, India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Peru, Romania and Uganda to serve with mission partners including International Teams, the Luke Society, Pioneers and Wycliffe. They have worked in churches, hospitals, orphanages, schools and refugee centers; taught vacation Bible school and English as a second language; and served in sports and hospitality ministries. They have milked yak, helped deliver babies, and supported victims of sex trafficking. Summer of Service alumni often serve as missionaries after graduation—some for a week or a month, others for a lifetime.

Christians from around the world welcome Northwestern students into the action of their ongoing ministries. The students return home with questions about God and the world and stories of the surprising ways the Holy Spirit has transformed their hearts and minds. They say confidently that Christ is, indeed, at work in the world—and they’re eager to discover what God wants them to do next.

Annika Stecker

Pioneers

Annika spent six weeks serving with Pioneers in North Africa, helping lead a Bible-centered kids summer camp, working with local believers to run a sports ministry and hosting a retreat for Sudanese refugee youth.

Looking for Truth

The Muslim people in the city we served have a sense of hopelessness and are looking for truth. As our team helped coach sports practices and put on a summer camp, we were able to show God’s love to the community and form trust between Christians and Muslims. During our retreat with Sudanese youth, we shared our testimonies with them, listened to their experiences with a religion that leaves them hopeless, and told them of the life-saving gospel of Jesus. It was so exciting to see some of them come to know Christ!

Boldness Needed

Darkness prevails in this area of North Africa, and many Christians fear persecution for themselves and their families. For this reason, the church is growing very slowly. Although many of the people we served alongside have experienced spiritual warfare, they remain committed to discipling new believers and telling their Muslim neighbors about Jesus. Seeing and feeling this level of spiritual opposition taught me the importance and necessity of praying and reading the Bible every day. More Christians who are bold in their faith are desperately needed in this place.

Self-Sacrificing Love

I went into this experience with the desire to go into missions long term in the future. Through a national woman we served with, God taught me what it looks like to truly die to self and serve him. While her evangelistic efforts put her at great risk, she was determined to make his name known among the Muslim people. Her love for Jesus helped me see that he is the only one worth living and dying for, and she challenged me to seek him with all my heart, soul and mind.

PRAY for Christians in that area to be bold enough to share their faith and that God would protect them. Pray for the darkness of Islam to lose its hold on this place and for Muslims to recognize their need for Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to move among the people and bring many to know Christ.

Jakob VanDerWerff

Helping Hands

Jakob spent the summer in Athens, Greece, serving with Helping Hands, a Christian humanitarian nonprofit. His time was divided between ministering to refugees from Afghanistan and Iran at a remote camp and serving at the main office of Helping Hands in the inner city.

Seeing the Global Church

This summer reminded me that the American church is not the global church. Although evangelicalism seems to be declining in America, spending time overseas helped me see that Christianity is thriving and God is greatly at work around the globe. When you meet refugees from Afghanistan and Iran who are eagerly sharing the gospel in their hometowns and bringing people to faith, it’s impossible not to be excited!

Practicing Patience

I quickly learned that not everyone is on Western time. This experience taught me the importance of patience and going with the flow. Additionally, patience was necessary in communication. Few of the refugees I worked with spoke English, which required us to rely on primitive forms of communication. However, the more we interacted, the more we found we had in common. Despite our differences, we found goodness and enjoyment in many experiences.

A Changed Perspective

Meeting and interacting with refugees had a profound impact on me. Even in the midst of extreme suffering, these people had unexplainable joy. It was a good reminder for me to reconsider my perspective on life. Because of this experience, I have been pushed to be a more welcoming and loving person. I desire to see the image of God in each person I encounter, and I have a deeper care for others who are struggling.

PRAY for hearts to be open to receiving the gospel and for disciples to be made through this ministry. Ask God to raise up more volunteers, more prayer partners and financial supporters for this important gospel work.

Breanna Oolman

Urban Impact

Partnering with Urban Impact in New Orleans, Louisiana, Breanna taught math, reading and music to kids at day camps, led games and activities to teach kids about God in the evenings, and provided support for mission teams from around the country that came to serve each week.

Making an Impact

In Louisiana, the state uses the scores of third grade reading tests to determine how many prison beds they will need several years down the road. As a result, Urban Impact began offering academic enrichment classes during their day camps to give kids more support. Knowing this gave us added motivation to not only teach these kids, but also share with them how they can have a better life in Jesus today and in the future.

Power of Listening

This experience taught me the importance of listening to people’s stories. You never know what people around you are facing. Providing a listening ear to some of the kids at day camp who were going through difficult times helped me be a better friend to them and understand how to teach them in more effective ways.

Giving Hope

God works in amazing ways. I was able to see firsthand how God was changing the lives of the kids who attended day camp. One boy, who came to camp saying he was considering suicide, was so encouraged and filled with hope after a few weeks of camp that he shared he was no longer wanting to end his life. That was the power of God at work!

PRAY for Urban Impact staff to have the strength and endurance to continue the work God has called them to do. Ask God to help the seeds of truth grow and bear fruit in the lives of the kids served by Urban Impact. Pray also for safety and a reduction of violence in the area where they minister.

Noah Smith

Pioneers

Noah served with Pioneers in North Africa, sharing God’s love with a mix of Christian and Muslim people through coaching women’s soccer and leading a summer camp where he taught kids about baking, science and the fruit of the spirit.

Sharing Common Space

The camps and sports groups we were involved in provided a unique common space for Christians and Muslims to become friends and begin to experience life together. Although evangelism is illegal in this country, we were able to share pieces of God’s character and love with kids and adults as we played, coached and learned together. Through our actions and care, they experienced God’s love firsthand.

Staying Firm in the Faith

I learned that the only way to sustain oneself on the mission field is to seek Christ and be fulfilled by him through consistent prayer and Bible reading each day. Praying for God to reveal sin and uproot it is critical to maintaining a strong Christian witness, especially where the church is weak or non-existent. Knowing that people at home were praying for me during the trip was so encouraging.

Confidence in Christ

Through this experience, I realized the depths of God’s love for his people and how he is calling me to share that love with everyone I know. I now feel strongly God is calling me into long-term mission work. My heart is deep with sadness for those who have not heard of Christ’s love for them, and I desire to share this message of hope with unreached people groups.

PRAY for strong leaders to be raised up to sustain and grow this ministry. Ask God to give boldness to the Christians in that area and create an urgency in them to share the gospel with others. Please pray God would continue to support this ministry with gifts of volunteers and monetary support.

Abigail Clarke

Helping Hands

Abigail worked with Helping Hands, a mission organization dedicated to spreading the word of God to those who don’t know him, serving Afghan and Iranian refugees who had recently fled to Greece for safety.

Fleeing in Fear

The devastation and despair among the refugees was heartbreaking. Fleeing their country using a smuggler for transportation, many had come to Greece to escape immediate danger. Yet, even in Greece, there was little opportunity for employment and stability. Our team spent time building relationships, helping provide care, and spreading God’s love to the refugees.

Feeling God’s Presence

Through this experience I learned how to give myself fully to God. I witnessed God’s work in the lives of so many people and watched as his power prevailed through spiritual warfare. Through testimonies and stories, I grew in my faith and could feel God’s presence as our team faithfully ministered to those in need.

Filled with Joy

God opened my heart for refugees as I built relationships with them and learned of their struggles. Before this trip, I knew very little about the rest of the world. As I served, God filled me with so much joy. I feel so blessed by this amazing experience. I am curious to learn how God can use me in the future and where else he might send me to share his love with others.

PRAY these refugees could be healed from the pain of leaving their home. Ask God to open their hearts and minds to accept the message of salvation and give them a strong faith as they face many challenges ahead. Please pray for God to provide for their needs and give them a sense of peace and joy in him.

Emma Jenness

Pioneers

Between running day camps, leading soccer and dodgeball practices, and hosting a Sudanese youth conference, Emma’s experience serving with Pioneers in North Africa was filled with opportunities to share God’s love with kids and adults alike.

Called to be Bold

As I watched relationships being formed between Christians and Muslims, I was convicted that I need to become bolder about sharing my faith and the love of Jesus with others. Although they could be persecuted, I saw the local team members sharing the gospel with passion each day. I realized how much I lacked in being bold about my faith in America where I am free to do so without persecution.

Deeper Devotion

As a result of this trip, I have a deeper devotion to God. I learned the importance of having a daily time in the Bible and in prayer. I have a desire to establish new habits in my life where I intentionally put Christ before all else. Although I knew I needed this before the trip, I now have a firmer sense of commitment to changing my daily habits to prioritize my walk with the Lord.

Divine Appointments

God answered numerous prayers through the trip. Despite a warning that we should not expect opportunities to share the gospel with people, God opened the door for several gospel-centered conversations with Muslims throughout our time. I was often told by some of my supporters that they were praying for me during this time. While it seems so simple, the power of prayer was so evident and made our experience very special.

PRAY for a stronger church presence and church leaders in this area. Ask God to soften the hearts and minds of Muslims, that they would be open to hearing and receiving the gospel. Please pray for trust to be built between Muslims and Christians and for gospel-centered conversations to be opened each day.

Makoto Yoshihara

Fara Limite

Serving at a climbing gym, hosting a three-day summer camp and offering instrumental lessons for kids, Makoto and his team shared the message of Jesus and witnessed true life change at Fara Limite and Ancora Church in Romania.

Steps of Faith

As we played games, climbed rocks, gave instrumental lessons and spent time together with the Fara Limite community, it was clear God was at work through this ministry. There are many in this area who don’t know about God’s love and are hurting. One 18-year-old girl, Andrea, shared, “For those who are not in Jesus, it is madness. I know that God is working through Fara Limite, and with the help of the Lord, I was able to go from a girl who loved sin, to a girl who believes in Jesus and knows she is forgiven.” Andrea now wants to be a missionary and help others meet Jesus as she did.

True Christ-like Community

As I served alongside the staff at Fara Limite, God taught me the importance of companions and true Christ-like community. It was so touching to see how they interacted with one another and their families with such love and caring commitment. It was a true example of what God calls the church to be in Ephesians 1:22-23. I want to build and be a part of a community like that.

Bravery and Boldness

I have always been very shy and afraid. Through this experience, God taught me that fearing people limits the amazing encounters that could change my life. I am now braver and more outgoing because I know God can turn any situation into good and use it to advance the gospel. Praise God that he worked in me and through me in mysterious ways to show others his love this summer.

PRAY the veil of deceit and confusion would be taken from the people in Romania and that they would see the goodness of God being declared through missionaries and staff at Fara Limite and Ancora Church. Ask God to protect and strengthen the workers in this ministry and call on him to bring more people to Fara Limite to learn about the good news of Jesus.

Megan Nichols

Hope for Opelousas

Working with the Hope for Opelousas ministry in Opelousas, Louisiana, Megan assisted with a six-week summer program for 1st-12th grade students helping with tutoring, media and making friends.

Struggling Students

Many of the kids and families in Opelousas are struggling. They face challenges that are not their fault, but rather from the system they have been placed into. I learned that the needs within this kind of ministry are present 24 hours a day. This ministry cannot be done without relying wholeheartedly on Jesus.

Open Hearts

God blessed me with meeting so many wonderful students. The greatest high schoolers I have ever met gave us such a blessing by opening up their hearts to us and spending time sharing their lives with us. God aligned experiences from my life with those of the kids I was working with, and it was amazing to be able to share his love with them.

Called to Continue

This summer solidified the type of work I want to do following college. It humanized the struggles people are facing. I have already committed to return during Christmas break and serve again at this location next summer.

Julia Zora

Helping Hands

Concentrating on the needs of women and children, Julia served Afghani and Iranian refugees in Athens, Greece, with the Helping Hands ministry. Providing meals, childcare, Bible lessons, crafts and games, she was able to show them God’s love and ultimately share the gospel with them.

Actions Speak Louder

Through this experience, God taught me how important, useful and effective my actions are. Due to the significant language barrier, I had to rely solely on my actions to communicate with the refugees. Each day I would ask myself, “How can I show God’s love and what it means to be a Christian today through my actions?” This was one of my biggest challenges and greatest lessons learned.

Power of Prayer

I felt so loved and cared for by the Helping Hands team each day. They taught me the importance of personal and communal prayer. We would pray for hours each day, and it was so impactful for my spiritual health. Through prayer I was reminded who is really in control of my life. I was able to refocus my thoughts and priorities on God.

Stepping Out

Helping Hands is such an amazing, God-centered nonprofit filled with people in all stages of life from all areas around the world. I learned that no matter where you are in life, God will use you and provide for you as you step out in faith to serve others. I strongly encourage everyone to look into serving, no matter how much or how little you think you may have to give.

Braden Jahn

Pioneers

Serving in Southeast Asia, Braden aided Pioneers staff in their missional tourism business, sharing Jesus with people who were visiting and touring the area.

Using Local Resources

Working in an area where Islamic beliefs are deeply engrained in the culture is an ongoing challenge for this ministry. However, the tourism industry allows missionaries to speak with many people. While they are showing people the area, they also have the opportunity to talk about God’s love.

Facing Challenges

I learned that missionary work is very difficult. It is by no means an easy task to introduce ideas to people that are counter to what they have been taught. Only God can open people’s minds and change people’s hearts. But the missionaries I worked with were devoted to their calling.

Grateful for Support

I am so thankful for all the people who supported me and wrote me notes of encouragement, as it was difficult to go across the world without any friends or family.

PRAY for people’s hearts to be softened to the message of the gospel. Pray for opportunities for faith-based conversations as people use the tourism service and for the missionaries stationed there to have stamina.

Abigail Sutton

Fara Limite

In Lupeni, Romania, Abigail spent the summer sharing God’s love with kids at a rock climbing gym called Fara Limite. As they climbed, Abigail and her team helped kids learn how to trust themselves and one another. Additionally, they taught music lessons and aided kids in learning how to make healthy choices in life.

Bringing Hope

Given the history of communism in Romania, there is a huge culture of distrust among the people. Additionally, the city we served in has a reputation for being dirty, violent and impoverished. Teaching kids how to climb at Fara Limite gave them a newfound confidence. We were able to build positive relationships and begin to break down barriers of distrust. Kids began to work together and set goals for themselves, which helped them have a healthier outlook on life.

Feeling Called

God is doing work, but he works through us. By the time I had to leave Romania, I was praying for a way to continue in the ministry. There is always a way in which I can respond to God’s call to relieve the poor, take in the orphan, support the widow or provide safety for the immigrant. I believe God is showing me that he will light the way for me one step at a time as I seek to continue to serve him and bless others.

Unexpected Blessings

I am both surprised and overwhelmed by how I have been blessed through this experience. The friendships built at Fara Limite are ones I will cherish and continue forever. The generous support people from home provided proved to me again how God works through his people. Where there was no way, God made a way. All praise and glory to him!

PRAY that the gym would cultivate rich relationships that would open an opportunity for faith-based conversations. Pray that many people in that region would come to know Christ and become a witness to others in the area. Ask God to bless the Silva family, owners of Fara Limite, and give them wisdom as they seek to bring light to a dark city.

Dylan Kirkeby

Helping Hands

Working with the mission organization Helping Hands, Dylan spent his summer at a camp outside of Athens, Greece, helping refugees learn about the Bible in their native language.

Exploring Christianity

At the camp, the refugees learned about the Bible, swam in the sea and had time to relax without the worries of paperwork or where they would get their next meal. Our kindness and compassion toward them made them curious. They began to ask what makes Christians different and wanted to explore what being a Christian is all about.

In God’s Eyes

The biggest thing I learned is that everyone’s journey in life is different. You can’t judge people based on where they’re at when you meet them. Only God knows the path they are on and where he is leading them. Interacting with the refugees helped me see how different the world is, yet how we are all the same in the eyes of God.

Truly Serving Others

I was surprised to meet so many amazing people who would change my life forever. This experience gave me a new perspective. God helped me see how I needed to grow in the ways I view and treat others, as well as how I serve God. I learned what it means and looks like to truly serve others.

PRAY for safety for those serving with Helping Hands and for wisdom when ministry is difficult. Please ask God to open the hearts of the refugees to accept his message of salvation for their lives.

Avery Calsbeek

Urban Impact

Teaching art to kids ages 6-11 each day, Avery served with Urban Impact in New Orleans, Louisiana. Additionally, Avery and her team facilitated Bible, sports and enrichment classes each day and led games at a nearby housing project in the evenings.

Coming in Third

God taught me so much from the staff at Urban Impact and the children that we worked with. One of our leaders would always remind us to “love God with all you got and love people ‘til you drop.” This has stuck with me. God is first, others are second, I am third. I learned how to rely on God and lean into him each day.

Mentoring Each Other

We had a great team of interns that helped one another and encouraged each other daily. They taught me how to share the gospel more effectively and how to better show the love of Jesus to the kids we spent time with each day. God continued to encourage me through the different youth groups we worked with each week and the kids in my art class.

Choosing Joy

The kids we worked with live in dangerous and difficult situations, yet the amount of love, joy and energy they had was remarkable. God showed me how joy can come out of every situation when he is present. Although many of these kids come from broken homes and do not hear about the gospel outside of this camp, God encouraged me to trust him for their future and choose joy because he is in control.

PRAY for the flourishing of the people who live in New Orleans. Please ask God to continue to provide funding and resources for Urban Impact so they can provide tutoring programs during the school year. Pray that God would continue to work in the lives of the kids who attended summer camp and they would trust him throughout their lives.

Emma Hansen

Echo Ranch Bible Camp, Alaska

Serving as a counselor at Echo Ranch Bible Camp in Auke Bay, Alaska, Emma helped lead six camps for kids age 7-18. When not counseling kids directly, she also served as part of the work staff helping to develop a culture of Christian community in the surrounding area.

Missional Love

Although “Bible Camp” is part of the name, Echo Ranch is truly more of a mission field than a typical church camp. Because many of the kids coming to the camp knew very little about the Bible or the gospel, we had so many opportunities to share God’s love. It was amazing to watch God transform the hearts and minds of kids of all ages throughout the whole summer!

Child-like Faith

I was surprised by how many kids had so much trauma and brokenness in their lives. Many of their stories were heartbreaking, yet they were willing to enter into a true “child-like faith” of full dependence on God. Coming from a “churched” background, it was eye-opening how many kids learned about the Bible for the first time at camp.

Choosing Vulnerability

Seeing how selflessly and authentically the staff lived their lives, I was challenged to change the way I interact with people. From this experience, I am more comfortable being vulnerable and have a desire for deeper relationships with people and a yearning to be involved in ministry.

PRAY for opportunities for the Echo Ranch staff to follow up with kids who attended camp. Additionally, pray for prayer and financial support for this ministry, as well as blessings throughout the process of expanding the camp to a second location.