A Call Answered After Immersion Experience

IN 2012, RACHEL YOUNCE VISITED SPRING HILL COLLEGE’S CAMPUS

FOR THE FIRST TIME AS A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, IMMEDIATELY FEELING A SENSE OF CLOSENESS AND UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WAS GOD’S PLAN FOR HER TO CONTINUE HER EDUCATION HERE.

During her sophomore year at Spring Hill, Younce was introduced to the International Service Immersion Program (ISIP). Through an ISIP trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica, her faith deepened and her path towards a career of service began to take form.

“It was during this time that my faith grew profoundly,” Younce, now serving as one of Spring Hill's full-time campus ministers, explained. “I had this moment where I felt such a closeness to God and His presence. That’s when I realized there's something special about these trips.”

Younce joined Spring Hill's ISIP trips both years as an upperclassman following her initial transformative experience. Younce recalled, "I went to Punta Gorda, Belize, my junior year and then to Nicaragua my senior year. After that, I knew my career path would involve service."

Now certain of her calling, Younce then ventured halfway around the globe to join Sarah's holding me back. I had everything to gain and nothing to lose, so I went there for six months. I had no idea who was going to be in the volunteer area," Younce said, "I was really taking a leap of faith going into that, but it was something that I felt passionate about."

Younce's passion, faith, and trust in God's plan for her life would ultimately lead her back to Spring Hill College, where her love of service blossomed. In 2022, Younce was hired as a fulltime campus minister with a focus on retreats, immersion and other justice projects. "When this position opened up, I told myself, 'I have to do this,'" said Younce.

Her hope is that the retreats and service projects in Campus Ministry will expose students on The Hill to new experiences. These opportunities have the potential to broaden their perspective and invite them into a deeper relationship with God and the world around them.

ISIP trips are built on the value of community. "We want to create relationships with the people we are visiting, get to know their family members, and get to know the people in the partner organizations. We're not just serving them, we're working alongside them. We have so much to learn from them," said Younce.

ISIP trips and other retreats challenge Spring Hill College students to grow in mind, body and spirit. Because Younce was so impacted by these trips herself, she deeply understands the students, Younce said, "I feel blessed to be in a position to help create these avenues for students to engage and to help open their eyes to possibly different vocational opportunities and service opportunities."