Collegiate summer missionaries complete training

JEFFERSON CITY – About 60 collegiate summer missionaries for the state of Missouri completed their training at the Baptist Building in Jefferson City June 5-9.

A majority of the students were first-year missionaries getting ready to embark on a new adventure while others were returning missionaries with valuable experience in the field. One of the returning missionaries is Hannibal La-Grange College senior Ashley Bondy.

“I knew this is what God wanted me to do,” she said, noting that she will be serving on the camp team as a counselor. “I’m hoping to see Christ just continue to grow in our camp team. We are like a family now. I am hoping to see a lot of salvations and children and youth growing.”

Another returning missionary is University of Tulsa sophomore Philip Lane. Last year was Lane’s first venture into summer missions.

“It was really good for me as I went into college that I had spent the summer before as a missionary, stayed strong in God’s Word and worked with godly people. It really influenced me as I started college to start with the right groups of people and to make sure I put myself in the right place to get involved in ministries.”

Both Lane and Bondy understand that they will be looked to as leaders on their respective teams and both had advice for first-time missionaries this summer.

“Be flexible, make sure you have your quiet time and have a little time with you and the Lord each day.” Bondy said.

Said Lane, “Stay on track. Know what you are doing, know where you are going, know your schedule and dig into Scripture. Always be in the Word because I cannot emphasize how important it is to keep on a personal level with God.”

Lane also wanted to encourage the churches and associations of the MBC for continued support.

“Summer missions is an excellent program,” he said. “I know there are students that are willing to serve if the association is willing to give someone an opportunity. It is so wide open and you can do so much with a summer missionary.” (John Inman is a senior journalism major at Lincoln University and a summer intern with The Pathway.)