reminded me that every person, everywhere — friends, neighbors, my own family — is loved and valuable in the eyes of God.” That is one of the most profound outcomes of GO trips: They both sharpen students’ global vision and give them a renewed sense of mission at home. GO trips help students develop a heart for the nations — and for their neighbors. They come back seeing their communities with new eyes. They understand that they can be missionaries wherever they are. Three of the students I’ve traveled with are now committed to serving as full-time missionaries in sensitive countries on three different continents. Others have gone into church planting, full-time ministry, and even returned to lead GO trips of their own. That kind of fruit can only come from hearts transformed by the Gospel. SHAPED BY SURRENDER Behind every GO trip is a network of prayer, financial support, and planning. Dr. Thomas White, Cedarville's president, urges every student to participate in at least one trip during their time at Cedarville. That vision requires dozens of trips every year, coordinated by the Global Outreach office and supported by generous donors. These trips are moments of surrender. I’ve seen students leave behind familiarity, expectations, and sometimes even safety to love people in Jesus’ name. They return with a changed heart, a deeper calling, and often a new direction for life. “I don’t know if I’m called to long-term missions,” Maysun said. “But I know this trip was part of God opening my heart. It’s changed how I see everything.” These trips are moments of surrender. I’ve seen students leave behind familiarity, expectations, and sometimes even safety to love people in Jesus’ name. They return with a changed heart, a deeper calling, and often, a new direction for life. 28
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