University of Findlay Spring Break Work Trip & Spiritual Retreat

Coming off of Christmas break, many students head into the spring semester dreading classes and already have a countdown to spring break week. They can’t wait to go to the beach, road trip with their friends, and have the opportunity to be carefree for a whole week. During the University of Findlay’s spring break week, many students did just that. However, a group of students from the campus ministries department had other plans. Rather than heading to the beach for a week, 38 students (separated into four groups) chose to be a part of an alternative spring break trip. These four groups were sent out into four different Christian camps in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and North Carolina-where I had the privilege of leading the team of students to do volunteer work and spiritual development.

The North Carolina group consisted of eight students who all shared two common goals: to help others in need and to grow spiritually. The team partnered with Ashville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, a non-profit organization that addresses poverty, hunger, homelessness and access to healthcare for the under-served in Buncombe County, serving annually around 50,000. Our team volunteered at multiple crisis centers, a Veterans Restoration Quarters, the Manna Food Bank and Ashville Greenworks. Some of the work included deep cleaning of the buildings, washing windows, receiving donations and putting things where they belong, sorting through food, river and roadside trash cleanup, and interacting and caring for the folks that were coming in and out of the crisis centers. In all areas, we were given many opportunities to show Christ’s love.

As part of the spiritual development, each day began with a student-led devotion where we dove into God’s Word and then took time to pray before heading out to work. These devotions encouraged the students to do some reflecting on the goodness of God and on His glory and majesty. Also, throughout the week, the students took time to read through and discuss Skye Jethani’s “The Divine Commodity,” a book that offers a unique perspective on the contemporary church and how consumerism plays a role in our faith. With a large emphasis placed on service throughout the week, students also had the opportunity to follow the example of humility set by Christ and participated in feet washing. It was great to watch the students work so well together and joyfully serve others in need.

As I reflect on this trip, I am overjoyed that so many students desire to know Christ more and serve in their local communities. Opportunities like these trips will only help these students to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities as they transition from the college life and into the “real world.” For more information on Gateway’s partnership with UF’s campus ministries, check out Episode 30 of the Gateway Church Podcast!