DBU Celebrates Missions Emphasis Week

DBU kicked off Missions Week with a special chapel message from Lance Shumake, President of iGo Global, an organization that partners with local churches to help train and mobilize the next generation to spread the fame of God throughout all nations.

Shumake shared with the students that the Scriptures provide both the ultimate question and the ultimate answer. He encouraged students to think beyond self-interested hopes of career and marriage, although important ("What is God's will for my life?"), to history's most ultimate concern ("What is God's will?"). Beginning with the Old Testament stories of Abraham and Daniel, the Scriptures open for us, said Shumake, God's will to be worshipped among the nations, and that those who receive salvation throughout the Bible are always blessed to be on mission with God as instruments of blessing to others with the hope of God's love. At the top of the list of needs around the world are millions who live and die without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. "Align your life with that mission," he said, including the use of individual talents and passions, "by spreading the glory and fame of Jesus."

Students then enjoyed international food together at a luncheon hosted by the Women's Auxiliary Board, while having the opportunity to hear more from Shumake's burden to see more young people answer a call to missions and the deep spiritual need of their world. Representatives from various organizations, including Greater Europe Mission, Cafe 1040, and Africa Inland Mission (AIM), also visited the DBU campus to participate in an outdoor mission fair, allowing students the opportunity to visit with them at their booths and to prayerfully consider how they should respond.

Another chapel service during the week featured Izabella McMillon of Samaritan's Purse, with a spotlight on Operation Christmas Child. She shared her moving story about receiving her own box when she was just thirteen years of age in Communist Romania.

"Seeing students be challenged by the messages of the chapel speakers and getting connected with various sending organizations made me excited for this next generation of students who will choose to live their life taking the Word of God to the ends of the earth," said Shelby Weatherly, who serves as Director of Global Missions at DBU.