World Missions, Lee University Partner to Raise Funds for Colombia
In an annual effort to raise missions awareness, Lee University, in partnership with Church of God World Missions, highlights a particular missions project where students can serve and make a difference around the world. On October 6-10, the Missions Week 2014 theme was “Step Up: Empower,” an idea based on the Church of God Provisión de Amor safe house in Cota, Colombia, and its 182 steps that lead many abandoned, abused, and neglected girls to safety.
Rosalba Pérez, founder and director of Provisión de Amor, was the guest speaker at Lee on Tuesday morning. Using the scripture in 2 Samuel 9:1-10, she shared her testimony of how God called her to provide a safe place for impoverished girls where they could eat, play, and feel loved. On Thursday morning, Dr. David Ramírez, Church of God World Missions field director for Latin America, was the guest speaker. He challenged the students with a motivational message about the growth of the Church of God in Latin America and to create the church of the future.
Students showed support by purchasing and wearing Missions Week T-shirts at each service. Funds from T-shirt sales, in addition to chapel offerings, will be matched by the organization Serving Orphans Worldwide, effectively doubling every gift that was given. All proceeds go 100 percent toward Provisión de Amor.
Following the services, the World Missions staff, missions students, and other guests were invited to a luncheon at the Deacon Jones Dining Hall where they could interact with each other. Traditional Colombian dishes were a part of the menu.
Lee students also had the opportunity to hear guest speakers from different missions organizations in the classroom to challenge their thinking. There was also an opportunity to visit the exhibits in the Paul Conn Student Union to become familiar with the para-church organizations and ministries. Many retired missionaries volunteered at the World Missions booth to share their stories with students and staff.
Missions Week was started in 1991 to honor Dee Lavender, a Lee University student who passed away during a summer mission’s trip to Panama just before her 21st birthday.
(Source: Church of God World Missions. By Brandon Spell)
