Liberty University Global Focus Week Challenges Students to Look Beyond Campus
Through mission organizations, cultural events and global opportunities, students were encouraged to consider how they can serve others around the world.
Sitting in a Global studies class, Marta Hostettler heard a leader, Mike, of the Greater Europe Mission (GEM) speak about the organization’s summer mission program. Hostettler did not think much about the organization.
“What is this guy talking about?” Hostettler said. “I don’t need to do that for my summer.”
One semester later, the same organization and Mike spoke in another one of Hostettler’s classes. Because he spoke again, Hostettler spoke to the organization at their table for Global Focus Week and found out more about the organization’s mission.
Global Focus Week is an annual event from the LU Send office that raises awareness for global missions among Liberty University students.
Starting Sept 28 through Oct 2, Global Focus Week offered events, tabling and special Convocation guests focused on global missions.
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Over 40 organizations including Samaritan’s Purse, GEM and World Help set up tables all around the first floor of Montview Student Union. Students had the opportunity to speak to representatives of the mission organizations and hear about the trips and internship programs that were offered.
LU Send set up a team of their employees and student workers at the LU Send Hub to answer questions and point students to events. The pop up also offered an LU Send sweatshirt and the proceeds went towards supporting Go Trips.
“It’s just a chance for us to reach the students and kind of give them more information about global opportunities whether it be with LU Send for mission trips or student abroad or even international internships,” senior Abby Keith, a LU Send student worker, said.
Go Trips offer students an opportunity to serve others and share their faith to other around the world. After a training, students will go out with a team for cross-cultural ministry.
Culture through Cuisine allowed students to experience other cultures through international cuisine. Students could walk through Montview Student Union and learn about different cultures, traditions and stories from those serving the samples of food.
Reach the Nations was another type of event that Global Focus Week offered. The first Reach the Nations taught students about North Africa and the Middle East specifically on Islamic culture and faith. The other Reach the Nations was on Europe specifically hosted by GEM and taught students about Europe’s spiritual landscape and practical steps to get involved.
“It’s just a great opportunity to kind of see where the Lord can take you abroad even when you’re scared to,” Keith said.
A special part of Global Focus week is Convocation. During Wednesday’s Convocation of Global Focus Week, students volunteered to carry flags of different countries across the globe while the Liberty Worship Collective sings “He Reigns.”
Global Focus Week ends with their biggest event, Taste of Nations. From 6–8 p.m., the Vines Center concourse is filled with tables with authentic dishes from a variety of countries. Liberty’s international students prepare the food and share about their home country to those tasting.
Hostettler found GEM again at the ministry fair and was strongly considering taking part of their Ten2 Project. While talking to Mike’s daughter about joining Ten2 Project, she encouraged Hostettler to talk to her parents about that decision.
“The way she was able to softly convict me, even though she barely even knew me, was really a sign to me that I needed to be a part of this organization,” Hostettler said.
