Answering the Call to Go

This year for spring break students from the University of Tampa had an opportunity to go on one of two trips, to Miami and or to the Cayman Islands, to share the hope of the gospel with students on campuses in those places. We want you to be able to hear what Jesus taught them through those trips.        

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Jesus really pushed me in my evangelistic walk with Him during my time in
the Cayman Islands.  I had a different approach when conversing with the students there as opposed to at my campus in Tampa, specifically because I didn't care what my image looked like.  I knew that my only mission was to share the Gospel with the students, and I was probably never going to see them again after that week.  At UT, I tend to worry about my image too much, and that hinders my evangelizing with students.  Jesus taught me to trust in His word and His power and authority.  My image should be made solely in Jesus, and not by what society thinks.  If I am rejected because of His name, I will accept it, as He has also had to accept being rejected by His own children.  He taught me it is worth being rejected by many so that one person will have the opportunity to here the story of Jesus. - Micah, Junior (Cayman Islands Trip)  

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Swerve! This is a word we learned from some of the friendly UCCI students. Apparently it can mean a lot of different things depending on the context. It could mean “yo” or “yeah buddy!”, but I actually think the real definition of the word swerve sums up the Cayman trip perfectly. The dictionary definition of swerve is “to turn abruptly from a straight line or course”. It is easy to get caught up in my own college routine and forget to look at the UT campus with God’s eyes. In Cayman, God taught me how to “swerve”, how to turn away from my tunnel vision and see every student as brothers and sisters who need to hear the good news of Jesus. In Cayman I felt like I had no inhibitions because I didn’t know any of the students and what groups they were a part of, or if they would be easy to talk to or not. With God and my IV community by my side, I was able to fearlessly make friends with the UCCI students and share Jesus with them. In other words, I was “swerving” all over the place! And it felt awesome. It gave me a huge adrenaline rush. As Matthew 28 says, we are to go out and make disciples of all nations. My “I will statement” after this trip is: I will continue to remember and use what God taught me in Cayman, and “swerve” to find the lost at UT and wherever else God may send me and show them the light of Jesus. –Catherine, Junior (Cayman Islands Trip) 

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Going to Miami, and ministering side by side with both IV staff and my peers from the various Tampa schools, for me was a blessing that I did not expect. I felt God calling me to go from the moment I heard about the trip, but it took me a while to say yes to Him. God showed me throughout this time how much I really needed Him in every aspect of my life. While ministering on campus he showed me more in depth what it means to put my faith in Him. He showed me the importance of a loving and encouraging community who can push you to seek God more. Later on as the trip progressed and we began serving the homeless I met multiple families in need and it broke me. My own family once went through a time period where we also needed assistance to get by from day to day and I know what that feels like. It is extremely hard on a parent to not be able to provide for their families but it also makes assistance in this time of need so much more highly valued. I was touched by these families and I feel that this is an area that God is calling me to do ministry in. These instances and so many more were my personal testament of what God has done for me during that week, but the experience was so different for each person who went.– Tim Stevens, Freshman (Miami Trip) 

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