After eight cold, long weeks of meandering around campus and bundling up for classes, spring break provides most students with a period of much needed relaxation and sunshine. However, for members of the Grand Valley State University Campus Ministry, spring break means more than a week of chilling out. 

This spring break, GVSU Campus Ministry sent 310 students on mission trips to 14 different locations. These locations included multiple cities in Texas, as well as Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, California, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and the U.S. Virgin Islands. During these trips, students deepened their faith and their relationships with those around them. 

“These trips give students the opportunity to leave ‘the bubble’ of Allendale, serve in communities that are in need and immerse themselves in a new culture,” said Spring Break Interns for Campus Ministry at GVSU Megan Genslak and Madison Reid. “Students not only go to serve, but also to build relationships.” 

To pick locations, members of GVSU Campus Ministry communicated with ministries they have worked with in the past. Genslak and Reid said they also did a lot of research and prayer to detect where God was calling them. This year, more than half the visited locations were effected by hurricanes. 

“It’s impossible to completely finish a house in one week, but it’s an honor to help make a small dent in the work that is being done,” Genslak and Reid said. “In addition, the rest of the locations worked with community outreach ministries where the students engaged with the community by providing meals to the homeless, after school help with kids or simply loving on the local people.” 

When asked why Campus Ministry hosts these trips, Ganslak and Reid quoted Matthew 28:19: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The mission trips provide students the ability to grow, engage and serve without distraction. 

Ganslak and Reid encourage GVSU students to consider participating in a mission trip.  

“Whether you’re looking for community, wanting to expand your worldview or even learn more about yourself, these mission trips give students the opportunity to serve alongside amazing ministries while also growing in your relationship with Christ,” Ganslak and Reid said. “We found a community of Christians that encourage and pray for each other daily, something we didn’t know was missing until we found it.”

Students are also welcome to join Campus Ministry at their weekly worship services and events. 

“Whether you grew up in The Church or are just starting to explore your faith, Campus Ministry at GVSU provides a laid-back place for students to make lifelong friends, learn about Jesus, and experience college to the fullest.”