Philippians 1:4-5 - Grace College and Seminary

The answer may be surprising. Since the
seminary began in 1937, Grace has had
global ties of great significance. Many
of its alumni in the early years became
missionaries, going out from campus to
represent Christ and the school around
the world. College students caught
the vision for missions and went out
on teams or individually as short-term
workers. Studying overseas was also a
link from campus to the world.
In recent years, Grace’s global connections
have expanded as missions trips
have multiplied, studying abroad has
increased, and overseas internships have
become more commonplace. Recognizing
the importance of thinking globally,
the college added a cross-cultural field
experience requirement to its curriculum
in 2002. Grace’s Cultural Liaison Carlos
Tellez explains:
“Global Perspectives and the Cross-
Cultural Field Experience are required
of all Grace College students. It has two
parts, the classroom component (two
credits) and the experiential component
(one credit). In the class, students
discover a sense of God’s concern for the
nations with a special focus on Jesus as the
ultimate boundary crosser. In addition,
students examine culture…and discuss
ways in which we can cross cultural
boundaries in order to reach out to those
who need it.
“The CCFE component is an opportunity
for students to apply the information
learned in class. They are challenged
to interact with others from a different
ethnic and/or national heritage from their
own. This normally takes place through a
one to two-week trip overseas or in select
locations in the United States.
“As the world population becomes more
mobile, it becomes increasingly important
for all of us to get better prepared to inter-
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“
Many things can and should be learned through books and lectures,
”
but there are some things that need to be experienced.
you might think that Grace college and Seminary is somewhat isolated
from the outside world. after all, how many global connections could a
small-town, Midwestern school of 1,500 students have?
act with differing worldviews. It is also
important that, as Christians who take the
Great Commission seriously, we grapple
with what it means to ‘make disciples of
all nations’ and develop tools to do so
effectively. In other words, reaching out
to those of other cultures is not just a
matter of market-place preparation, but
also obedience to Christ.”
The challenge of taking the Great
Commission seriously and becoming
“boundary crossers” was evident as dozens
of Grace students and employees were
involved in cross-cultural experiences
during summer 2008. As you read
on, you’ll learn about several of these
experiences and catch a glimpse of how
people were affected. And you’ll discover
more about future plans as Grace seeks to
serve and educate beyond our campus.
Thailand
“Many things can and should be learned
through books and lectures, but there are
some things that need to be experienced,”
says Scott Feather, dean of the chapel
and global ministries. “Learning to
cross boundaries, like Christ did in the
incarnation, is one of those.”
Left: Grace basketball player David Henry
(center) and other members of the Sports
Ambassadors team in the Philippines.
Below: Grace student Kyla Zenan (far right)
works with university students in Bangkok.
Scott and 13 Grace students experienced
boundary-crossing from June 15-29,
when they worked with university
students and missionaries in Bangkok,
Thailand. The group was a GO
Team, sponsored by Grace Brethren
International Missions, and included
Danae Beeler, Kayla Bilbrey, Caryn
Britton, Joshua Curtis, Valerie Embree,
Ashley House, Emily Hughes, Hannah
Marshall, Caleb Richardson, Natalie
Rummel, Amy Shain, Brice Williams, and
Kyla Zenan.
“My trip to Bangkok proved to me that
what I had been reading in books on
modern-day slavery is true,” says Ashley
House. “I saw people and places that will
be forever pictures in my mind of the
reality of the sex trade. The opportunity I
had to share with the international church
body was another aspect of the trip
that shaped and formed my new world
perspective. There are fewer things more
beautiful than worshipping our Lord in
different languages at the same time.”
Philippines
Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Kessler has
a love of the game – and a heart for missions.
He has combined the two passions
and led basketball outreach trips to several
continents over the years of his ministry
at Grace. One such trip took place July
25-August 17. Coach Kessler and five of
his team members, Ryan Eakins, David
Henry, Steve Kauffman, Jacob Peattie,
and David Swanson, traveled with
Sports Ambassadors (formerly Venture
for Victory) and legendary coach Bud
Schaeffer to the Philippines.
The team played 25 basketball games in 18
days, giving testimonies at halftime, and
working with local pastors in outreach.
“The ministry opportunities are unbelievable,”
said Coach K. “The folks love
basketball and turn out to see the game at
which time we share the Gospel. The joy
on their faces obscure the conditions in
which they live and presses home the reality
that riches and the joy in one’s heart are