Missouri College Students Share Faith in Mexico and Japan
Missouri college students are using their summer breaks to spread the gospel worldwide, making a difference through hands-on service and cross-cultural outreach. This summer, a team of 75 from The Bridge Collegiate at the University of Missouri in Columbia traveled to Juárez, Mexico and Tokyo, Japan. The group, which included church members from Moberly, Columbia, and nearby areas, along with many college students, constructed homes for three families in need.
According to campus missionary Scott Westfall, “[The team] not only gave their time and energy but also experienced life-changing encounters with God and others,” as cited in “The Pathway.” He emphasized that “the gospel was shared boldly, and local pastors and missionaries were encouraged and equipped to continue the work year-round. Christ was glorified in every moment — from hammering nails to praying over families to worshipping across languages and cultures.”
Meanwhile, members of the Crowder Baptist Student Union and North Central Missouri College Baptist Student Union joined forces for a trip to Japan, where less than 1 percent of the population is Christian. Their team of staff and students spent close to two weeks sharing the gospel everywhere—from restaurants and malls to college campuses and public spaces.Japan feels hopelessly lost
“Japan feels hopelessly lost,” campus missionary Autin Pfrimmer shared. “If you stood in the right place in Osaka or Tokyo, tens of thousands of people would walk past you in a single day, and the reality is that almost all of those people have never heard the gospel before. Why do we know this? Statistics aside, we know this because we experienced it.” The team’s commitment was unwavering, with Pfrimmer noting the students’ resilience in the face of exhaustion.
Campus Missionary Christina Boatright, who led her own group of North Central students and an intern, recalled, “Our group got to share the gospel every day, multiple times a day, with people from Japan, Vietnam, Korea — all over the world! Many of our conversations were with people who had never heard of Jesus. My students truly understood the love for others while simultaneously having joy and fun in such a beautiful country steeped in tradition.”
Churches make trips possible
Pfrimmer believes the generosity of local churches supporting these mission trips has a lasting impact. “First, churches that donate to mission trips become sending churches,” he explained. “They are both directly and indirectly involved in the mission itself. Second, by supporting collegiate mission trips, local churches take part in the discipleship of college students, and thus, into the next generation of church leaders and serving members.
Third, being supported by local churches does several things to the mental state of our students. They gain confidence, knowing that they are trusted by their supporters. They realize that local churches paid a high price for their trip, so they absolutely must make the most of their time and of every opportunity and not be distracted by tourism. It helps students regain faith, hope and trust in the institution of the local church, which is desperately needed.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
