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OBU Commissions Students and Employees April 28 for Worldwide Summer Service

April 28, 2021

OBU held a special chapel service April 28 to commission more than 100 students, faculty and staff who will be serving this summer on Global Outreach trips (GO trips), in internships or at camps. The commissioning service took place inside Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. The student body was able to worship together and then pray over these teams of people who will represent the University all around the world.

OBU sponsored GO trip teams will travel to locations in seven international locations, including Colombia, Ecuador, North Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda and more. A group of 31 students and faculty will travel to Ecuador on a Study Abroad/GO trip, while Global Marketplace Engagement (GME) majors will serve internships over the Summer in Puerto Rico, Ecuador and Texas. In the Fall, more GME majors will serve internships in North Africa, Zambia, Mexico, and the USA. Numerous other students and employees will serve in camps, ministries and outreaches throughout the nation this summer, as well, including Falls Creek, New Life Ranch, River of Life Camp, Camp Sonshine International, the North American Mission Board and more.

A group of students, faculty and GO trip alumni led a worshipful rendition of “Amazing Grace” in several languages, with verses in German, French, Italian, Spanish and English, as well as “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery.”

Dr. Bruce Perkins, assistant professor of Christian education and director of OBU’s Prison Divinity Program, delivered the message. Following his message, students and faculty who will be participating in service this summer began to gather on the steps in front of the stage, as the song, “Let the Nations Be Glad” was sung.

The service concluded with a word of encouragement and commissioning prayer from OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas.