Walk-through experience on Tuesday shows how Lipscomb missions change the world

The Lipscomb University Missions Program invites the community to a unique walk-through, immersion experience featuring authentic displays of mission trips in Ghana, Africa; the island of Saba in the Netherlands Antilles; and the hills of East Tennessee.

 

“Discover: Experience Lipscomb Missions,” to be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Lipscomb’s Ezell Center, offers those interested in participating in or supporting international humanitarian efforts a chance to see the opportunities available and the effects that these mission trips are having on lives all over the world.

 

Representatives of 10 mission teams serving in various countries, including Guatemala, India, Northern Ireland, Haiti and more, will be on-site highlighting the foods and cultures of those nations.

 

In addition, the walk-through exhibit will provide an eye-witness view of mission efforts in Ghana, Saba and East Tennessee through displays, photos and first-hand accounts by students, team leaders and those who have been served on the trips.

 

Nashville-based organizations such as Mobile Medical Disaster Relief (MMDR), Justice and Mercy International and Habitat for Humanity have partnered with Lipscomb over the years to annually send almost 700 students, faculty, staff, alumni and interested community members to mission fields all over the world.

 

“With a high percentage of faculty/staff and student involvement and connections with churches and humanitarian organizations all over the globe, Lipscomb University’s missions program is rapidly becoming a nexus for effective, life-changing short-term missions opportunities,” Dr. David Vanderpool, a local surgeon and director of Mobile Medical Disaster Relief, who recently traveled to Ghana with a group of Lipscomb students and staff.

 

“They have the ability to respond quickly to world disaster, but also have the long-term commitment to enhance the quality of physical and spiritual life for specific populations over time.”

 

So far in 2011, Lipscomb has sent 46 mission teams to 22 nations and 4 states. In addition, specialized medical and engineering teams have been traveling to indigenous areas in Guatemala to carry out long-term community development projects – including water distribution systems, a cell phone tower and an education.

 

Other teams have worked with Habitat for Humanity to build dozens of homes in and around the Appalachian community of Robbins, Tenn. over the past 16 years, partnered with alumni who planted a new church in an immigrant community in Dallas, and recruited military veterans to partner with MMDR and provide medical relief to rural villages in Ghana.

 

Other booths at the Discover event will present mission opportunities in New York City; Brisbane, Australia; Moldova; Senegal; and Mexico.

 

This event is free to attend, but the missions program asks that you RSVP at missions.lipscomb.edu (click on “Discover” button).