Lee University will hold its annual missions week Nov. 16-20. This year’s theme will be "Building Schools, Building Children, Building Dreams," and all funds raised will go to the university's mission project in the Bahamas.
“Our missions focus has been around for more years than I can remember. It goes right along with our Global Perspectives emphasis, and it helps us focus on the needs of the world around us,” said Dr. Jimmy Harper, campus pastor at Lee University.
Many things will be going on throughout Missions Week to incorporate the missions emphasis into various aspects of campus life.
Both chapel services, on Tuesday and Thursday morning, will focus on missions. On Tuesday, the Bahamas project will be presented to the student body, and there will also be a video clip about Dee Lavender, the young woman who is honored each year during Missions Week.
Thursday's service will most likely include music from one of the ensembles on campus as well as Bahamian dance. An offering will be collected during both services to raise money for this year's project.
“As a part of a community blessed with so much, it is our responsibility to give back to others who are less fortunate,” said Laura Monroe, missions intern for campus ministries at Lee University.
Several organizations will be setting up exhibits in the Paul Conn Student Union throughout the week. Students will be able to talk to people from these mission-minded organizations that are doing actual work on the mission field.
There will be a 5-on-5 basketball tournament taking place in the evenings to help raise funds for missions. All students are welcome to participate and sponsor a team.
“It is important for us to help students see the needs around the world so that we can help empower them to meet some of the needs as a campus community during our missions week emphasis each year,” said Dr. Harper.
“Our ultimate goal for Missions Week each year is for those who have never heard the gospel to have the opportunity to accept Christ as their personal savior," Monroe said. "While meeting the monetary needs of people is fulfilling, it does not compare to knowing that we have changed the lives of individuals for eternity.”
In Jan., a team of Lee University students and faculty will be participating in a ten day mission trip to Nassau, Bahamas. While there, the group will be working with a school as well as doing community and orphanage outreach. There will be a great deal of cultural immersion and interaction with the Bahamian people.
For more information, contact the Lee University Campus Ministries office at 614-8420.