Summer 2022 - SEU Missions

SEU MISSIONS ENTERS A NEW CHAPTER

The SEU Missions department underwent some exciting changes during the 2021 to 2022 school year. Under the leadership of new Missions Director Stephanie Bernotas, the department officially became an associate member of the Standards in Excellence in Short Term Mission (SOE) and launched a fresh vision for the new season.

Bernotas is originally from Manasquan, N.J., and joined the SEU community in the fall of 2021. Previously, she served as the Student Ministry Coordinator at Cairn University in Langhorne, Pa., where she directed chapels and missions for four years.

Her experience in the mission field spans 36 countries — a journey that first began when Bernotas was in eighth grade. Since then, she has taken part in a variety of international trips, including the World Race, an 11-month mission trip that stops in 11 different countries.

As the accrediting organization for short-term mission trips, SOE employs measures that ensure healthy and effective engagement through a code

of seven standards. The standards are God-centeredness, empowering partnerships, mutual design, comprehensive administration, qualified leaders,

appropriate training and thorough follow-through. The certification consists of a two-step process that includes a training period and peer review.

Bernotas emphasized, “We believe we are part of a global story of God and want to be a part of that story in a sustainable and gospel-focused way. Our goal is to mobilize our students and help them discover their own place within the Great Commission so that they are able to properly carry out short-term missions in all aspects.”

Bernotas and her team attended a three-day conference where they received training, participated in simulations, and collaborated with other churches, missions organizations and missionaries. Specifically, they focused on how to make a maximum impact in short-term missions by evaluating each aspect of a missions trip and its involved parties.

In addition, students leading trips participated in a comprehensive leader-training camp, where they received direction and guidance in

shepherding, conflict management, logistics, storytelling, and various travel and cultural simulations. “We wanted our students to be prepared culturally, so as one aspect of training, we cooked and prepared traditional meals while engaging in the customs unique to where they would be traveling,” said Bernotas.

In the spirit of embracing this next chapter, SEU Missions also launched a new logo for the department. Represented by an ellipses, the new branding stands for “Kingdom, Honor and Excellence.” The three core values represent God at the center, a well-rounded team culture, and a dedication to logistical and evaluative detail.

“Moving forward, these words will define all we do in SEU Missions,” Bernotas commented. “We are committed to our values of kingdom,

honor and excellence as we join with partners all over the world in this kingdom story.”

This year, SEU Missions sent out a total of 29 trips to 20 countries, eight states and six continents with 245 participants. Students served a wide range of organizations, including Youth With A Mission, City of Refuge Children’s Home, Dream Center, Eurorelief and many more.