“Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.” 1 John 2:7-8
At Union University, we believe that loving service and care for our neighbors is the best avenue for sharing the gospel of God’s love. And telling others this good news is the most loving thing we can do for them. In all that we do, we are seeking to balance Great Commandment service and Great Commission love.
Here, the Apostle John encourages all Christians to trust that the victory of God has already occurred. The light of Christ is already shining and as a result we are no longer slaves to sin, but we are able to follow Christ’s commands and genuinely love our brothers and sisters. Through the power of the gospel, the darkness in our world and in our hearts is passing away!
The Global Opportunities (GO) Trips provide members of the Union University community the chance to practice the transformational love of Christ through service to our neighbors and in sharing the gospel of God’s love. GO Trips model for students this missional lifestyle of service and sharing by offering ministry opportunities in one these three aspects: living, serving, or learning.
How can we trust that victory is on the way?
Living – GO Trips placing students in strategic ministry
John tells us that we see it wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is held high and the love of God flourishes among His people. And God is doing this victorious and redemptive work all over the world—throughout nations, in cities, and in our own backyard. The light is already shining all around us. With this simple yet profound promise, John gives us hope that both the Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) can be fulfilled in and through our commitment to love one another and to share the love of Christ with others.
settings for an extended summer residence.
Serving – GO Trips offering students specific hands-on experience in a range of ministries and service contexts.
Learning – GO Trips highlighting unique ways students can apply what they have gained in the classroom or more intentionally integrate study and mission.
GO
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Botswana • Connecting
with university students in Botswana, leading them towards life-changing conversations, and partnering with them to reach the nations • Beginning and fostering new discipleship groups of university age youth throughout the capital city • Partnering with a local church to plant new churches through discipleship of both youth and vulnerable children
Central Asia* • Studying
language as a summer school student in this Central Asian city and developing relationships with other students • Sharing the good news with Muslim students at a prestigious university which currently has no Christian witness • Being an integral part of a longterm, disciple-making strategy in one of the world’s largest unreached cities
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And as our time together was coming to a close, the eight men got together and we spent time in prayer; however, our time in prayer was spent simply praising God for who He has proven Himself to be. As I sat there, I was struck with the magnitude of the reality that God has invited me into His global purpose here in Botswana, and that because of who God is, He will bring this purpose to fruition. - botswana
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East Asia* • Taking
a language course and developing relationships with other students on campus • Sharing the gospel with Asian students who have never heard the truth of Christ • Modeling discipleship characterized by radical obedience and a passion for building the church
* S pecific locations withheld for security reasons. More information about trips to these locations is available in the Office of Spiritual Life (SUB). Please see special application instructions for Living GO Trips.
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After spending the summer with these friends, I’ve found their hearts becoming mine, and I’ve begun to weep for them. There is so much darkness here. Yet there is so much light. And the darkness cannot overcome it. - Central Asia
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Our hearts were encouraged to cling to the Father and trust in His Word so that His Word might overflow into our friends’ lives. - Central Asia
GO living
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We witnessed firsthand the church’s boldness and intentionality with their neighbors and saw the love Christ flow through them to their community. We were encouraged by their faith and boldness to be diligent to share Christ here in Jackson. - nashville
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I learned that there is a lot of spiritual pride bound up in the way I think about worship. I like having a certain aesthetic in worship and don’t want to look foolish. This experience made me realize that those things aren’t really that important when held in comparison to glorifying God. - boston
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Prayer and scripture are integral for the daily life of any believer—we are lost on our own without them and without other believers. God fills us with the strength we need when we need it, as we trust and obey. - nashville
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Church Planting Boston Assisting church plants in the greater Boston area in outreach and service to the community
Nashville Partnering with Redeemer Church (Hendersonville) in affluent neighborhoods and on a local campus to address spiritual needs in a context of Christian nominalism
New Orleans Coming alongside Hope Church to engage the greater New Orleans area with the gospel by serving communities, neighborhoods, local schools, and families
New York city Partnering with Gallery Church in the endless ministry opportunities available in a city that is home to over 800 language groups and cultures
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We need to remember that we have to live missionally in our everyday life, whether that means going out and working in your own community or simply being intentional in showing the love of Christ in everything you do. - tampa
Tampa Serving alongside Covenant Life Church to work with local schools, organizations, families, college students, young professionals, and the urban poor
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GO serving
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Collegiate Ministry
Community Development
Germany
BDC Memphis
Working with a university ministry to participate in outreach events and build relationships with students in order to point them to Christ
Working on an urban farm and serving alongside a holistic Christian community development partnership that is serving its neighborhood through education, job training, housing, and health care
illinois Partnering with a local church in outreach efforts on the campus of Southern Illinois University (SIU) and the city of Carbondale
Providence Partnering with Grace Harbor Community Church to build relationships and share Christ with college students on campuses without an evangelical witness
Orphan Care Honduras Continuing work on construction projects at Orphanage Emmanuel as well as loving, playing with, and ministering to children
Louisville Serving the homeless and hurting of Louisville by partnering with Jefferson Street Baptist Center in a variety of service projects with an emphasis on building relationships
sos memphis Working with Service over Self (SOS) Memphis, a local inner-city ministry that exists to glorify God in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ by renovating homes of the economically disadvantaged
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It was enlightening to hear the redemptive story of the Lord’s work in the lives of students who were raised in atheist backgrounds. The complete change of thinking and lifestyle in these students encouraged our team to be more intentional with sharing the gospel and in our relationships with others. - Germany
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God was gracious to bring into our lives people who needed to hear the gospel as well as people who encouraged us in our faith. - botswana
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The week was a clear illustration of how the different talents and passions of people in the church are used by God for one purpose, the furthering of His kingdom. - sos memphis
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God used the children and staff at Emmanuel to show me that the gospel is more powerful than I ever realized. It can heal broken hearts, fill emptiness and longing, create life out of death, and bring light to even the darkest places.
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- Honduras
GO serving
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I’m so grateful for Union’s desire to educate us, as well as simultaneously disciple us to be wider and more action-minded believers. - Israel
Israel Experiencing Middle Eastern culture by building relationships with Jewish and Arab people in Israel and studying the history and geography of biblically significant sites in Israel
North Africa* Engineering, Science, and French (ESF) Using the practical application of technology to meet physical needs and provide an avenue to begin life-changing conversations with local people
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Our trip reminded me of the reality that we are at war with the powers of darkness. Satan’s primary goal is to keep the lost in darkness forever. Once light has come to a place, darkness cannot overcome it. We already know the victory is ours. - North Africa ESF
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I couldn’t help but think of the global scope of Christ’s redemptive plan… Christ is truly reconciling and building up one people for Himself. Even in a complicated, sinful world, He is making all things new. - Israel
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Why GO insight into God’s desire to be praised by all peoples • Begin to see your unique role in taking the gospel to all nations • Discover new cultures and see how God is continually at work around the world • Further develop your Christian worldview • Receive training and instruction that will benefit you far beyond your GO Trip • Minister and spend time with fellow students and Union faculty, staff, and alumni
Where to GO
• Gain
How to GO • Participate
in GO Week, September 17–21 up Fact Sheets about each GO Trip • Read the GO Trip FAQs at www.uu.edu/events/go/faq.cfm • Prayerfully consider each opportunity • Complete online GO Trip Application at www.uu.edu/events/go/forms • Attend the GO Trip Kickoff, training sessions, and team meetings • Be flexible, available, and teachable • Maintain a 2.0 GPA • Pick
What to know • Wednesday,
August 29 GO Trip Info Available • Monday–Friday, September 17–21 GO Week • Wednesday, September 19 Early Bird GO Trip Application Deadline • Monday, September 24 GO Trip Application Deadline • Monday, October 8 GO Trip Kick-Off • Wednesday, October 17 GO Trip Deposit Due
Winter Germany Israel
Spring Break BDC Memphis Boston Honduras Illinois Louisville Nashville New Orleans New York City North Africa (ESF) * Providence SOS Memphis Tampa
Summer (8 Weeks) Botswana East Asia* Central Asia* * Specific locations withheld for security reasons. More information about trips to these locations is available in the Office of Spiritual Life (SUB). Please see special application instructions for Summer/Living GO Trips.
ind out more F about GO Trips at Union University
uu.edu/events/go
Office of Spiritual Life UU Box # 1812 1050 Union University Dr. Jackson, TN 38305 731.661.5062 uu.edu/spirituallife
Gregory Thornbury Vice President for Spiritual Life 731.661.5082 | gthornbury@uu.edu
Taylor Worley Associate Dean for Spiritual Life 731.661.5971 | tworley@uu.edu
Julie Bradfield Director of Student Mobilization 731.661.5242 | jbradfield@uu.edu
David Carothers Assistant Director of Student Mobilization 731.661.5571 | dcarothers@uu.edu
Aaron Beasley Student Mobilization Graduate Assistant 731.661.5161 | abeasley@uu.edu
Elizabeth Ward Office Coordinator 731.661.5062 | eward@uu.edu
Keely Hart Director of Discipleship 731.661.6598 | khart@uu.edu
Lee Wilson Director of Discipleship 731.661.5165 | lwilson@uu.edu
Excellence-driven
C h r i s t- c e n t e r e d
People-focused
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