Each summer, Harding students can choose to participate in a missions training experience called Global Outreach. During their internship with Global Outreach, the students live with an overseas missionary to learn firsthand what it is like to serve a group of people in a new country. This summer, 33 students will go to 13 different countries for internships.
Internships differ from mission trips in what an internship can last anywhere from six to eight weeks with a broader leadership role. Junior Jordan McDonald is traveling to Turkey this summer along with three other students.
“I am hoping to get a better glimpse of what mission work looks like by watching it laid out in front of me,” McDonald said.
Gary Jackson, an instructor in the College of Bible and Ministry, and his wife are in charge of training the students with simulation events and classes as well as organizing transportation.
“Because we book all of our flights and reservations in office, the end of spring is always a stressful time,” Jackson said.
The team that goes to Angola has to take a separate trip to Houston to acquire visas. The embassy is only open on Mondays and Wednesdays, so getting there during a semester is very difficult, according to Jackson.
“The team drove all the way to Houston, and the area where the consulate is was flooded, so they had to turn around and come back,” Jackson said. “They are now planning on going to Houston on May 1 if the flooding has subsided.”
Each student that is participating in an internship is required to attend two weekend retreats, eight “All Missions Fellowship” devotionals, two seminars and a few Wednesday night meetings. Junior Austin Gurchiek is traveling to Mozambique with seven other students to work with Harding’s current visiting missionary, Alan Howell.
“The simulations at the Harding University at Takodah retreat are intended to create compassion, and I think that will be very helpful to prepare my mind before going,” Gurchiek said.
