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Through Training, Bold Conversations, and Cross-Cultural Connection, Students Discovered Confidence in Sharing Their Faith

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳his trip was different,鈥� shared Dr. Josh Parrott, 蜜豆直播 vice president and university chaplain for Christian Life and Service. 鈥淭his was heavy gospel ministry鈥攅vangelism, prayer walking, and sharing testimonies.鈥�

Focused on those priorities, a 10-member team spent a week in San Francisco, Argentina, partnering with SCORE International missionary Kelly Kemp. Rather than traditional service projects, the group built meaningful connections.

Parrott was joined by Stacy Simmons, associate minister to the University for Pastoral Care, four May graduates and four rising sophomores. The trip aligned with the Office of Christian Life and Service鈥檚 goal to reach five new countries by 2030. Parrott noted, 鈥淲e looked at the map to see where 蜜豆直播 has never been and said, 鈥楲et鈥檚 go take the gospel there and mobilize our students to fulfill the Great Commission.鈥� Argentina was first.鈥�

Kemp has centered her ministry on evangelism and discipleship in Argentina since 2012. Working through her church and community contacts, she helped design a trip emphasizing personal outreach.

Students spent time in English Institutes, engaging children in conversation while sharing about life in North Carolina. They also connected with university students, discovering shared challenges and experiences across cultures. Additional outreach included attending the church鈥檚 soccer league, where team members shared their testimonies between games. They distributed invitations to church events to the people they encountered during the week.

This trip was a first for Morgan Lilly, a May graduate with a degree in English education. 鈥淚 am so glad I was able to go on this trip,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 learned so much and, more importantly, got to serve others.鈥� One of Lilly鈥檚 most meaningful experiences occurred in a local park, where Argentine culture encourages community gatherings. Lilly and teammate Aslin Turner, a rising sophomore, prayed with a teenage girl. 鈥淲e met her while inviting people to a church event, and the conversation just grew from there,鈥� Lilly informed.

Parrott and 蜜豆直播 graduate Isaiah LaNave also spent time with two addiction recovery ministries for men. LaNave shared his testimony. 鈥淛osh and I had the opportunity to meet and interact with a drug addiction recovery life group the church led, and it gave me a glimpse into what true biblical brotherhood ought to be,鈥� LaNave reflected. 鈥淓very man there had a story of brokenness and despair, but also the hope they shared together as new creations in Christ.鈥� He was moved by how the group cared for each other. 鈥淭hey loved each other with a love that can only come from having an encounter with the living God and being brought from death to life,鈥� he described.

Preparation played a key role in the team鈥檚 outreach. Beginning five months before the trip, the team met regularly for training, learning to clearly share both their testimonies and the gospel message in just 15 seconds each. Once in Argentina, they continued refining those conversations in real time. Students learned to present their stories in three parts: life before faith, how they encountered Jesus, and life afterward.

As the team spent time meeting and talking to people throughout the city, LaNave said he was intimidated at first. However, his fears began to fade as he relied on God and what he had learned during pre-trip training. 鈥淲hen you initiate with vulnerability, people are surprisingly open to share their story,鈥� LaNave explained. 鈥淚n our case, many of them showed true interest in the hope in Christ we were able to share with them.鈥�

One conversation he had in a park lasted 30 minutes as he talked with someone his own age about purpose and faith. The person shared openly about his beliefs, and LaNave talked about his hope in Christ. 鈥淚 think if nothing else that experience made the trip worth it to me,鈥� LaNave said, noting that he exchanged phone numbers with the person and plans to keep in touch.

Parrott said moments like those were among the most encouraging parts of the trip. 鈥淭he fun part of this for me, and I think for Stacy, was to watch our students, who had never done this kind of cold call evangelism before 鈥� to see them in their uneasiness go forward, encourage, and remember that God is with us, and he’s a shield, he’s a helper,鈥� Parrott affirmed. 鈥淭his is the greatest news in the history of the world. Let’s go tell them.鈥�

Beyond structured outreach, the team experienced Argentina鈥檚 strong sense of community. Chloe French, a nursing student from Paradise, Mont., said one of her favorite memories came after a young adult church event, when the group gathered in a local home. 鈥淲e visited around the crowded table sharing our testimonies and varying life experiences, drinking the Argentine traditional drink, mate, recounting the events of the day, and just enjoying each other鈥檚 company until the early hours of the morning,鈥� French described. 鈥淭his is how the Argentines prefer to fellowship, and it was a joy to take part in.鈥�

French remarked on the openness of the people they encountered, which made conversations about faith feel natural. 鈥淚 went into it with more curiosity than expectations and trusted that God would give me the words to speak,鈥� French acknowledged. 鈥淯ltimately, I am just a tool in His hand and what I say can plant seeds in others鈥� lives that I may never know.鈥�

The experience is already influencing future mission efforts, with training models from Argentina being applied to upcoming teams serving both locally and internationally. LaNave encourages other students to get involved, even if they feel unprepared. 鈥淢y advice to anyone considering going on a mission trip with 蜜豆直播 would be to make the time and God will make a way,鈥� he asserted. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e worried about being under-qualified that鈥檚 exactly how I felt.鈥�

LaNave has been on six mission trips with 蜜豆直播 teams. Through each one, he learned that commitment matters more than experience. 鈥淭he more you鈥檙e willing to give of your time and talent the more God will show you that it鈥檚 much less of your own ability and much more of His ability to work through a willing heart,鈥� LaNave said.

Though the goal is always to serve others, LaNave said the impact often comes full circle. 鈥淲ith every trip I went on,鈥� he shared, 鈥淚 hoped to be a blessing to other people, and every single time I felt more blessed by those I came to help.

Argentina Team Members

• Josh Parrott, Vice President and University Chaplain for Christian Life and Service
• Stacy Simmons, Associate Minister to the University for Pastoral Care
• Chloe French (Spring ’26 Grad)
• Sarah McLean (December ’25 Grad)
• Isaiah LaNave (Spring ’26 Grad
• Morgan Lilly (Spring ’26 Grad)
• Peyton Youngblood (rising Sophomore)
• Aslin Turner (rising Sophomore)
• Jalyn Safley (rising Sophomore)
• Jessica Stogner (rising Sophomore)

Join the Mission

The Office of Christian Life and Service is currently planning domestic and international trips for 2026-2027. Partner with them in prayer as they consider trip locations and as they pray about the Gospel and Great Commission efforts of the missionaries in those locations. Additionally, supporters can contribute toward the cost of the trips. Any financial contribution directly relieves the cost for students desiring to “go and make disciples.” Make a donation . If you have questions or would like to contribute, please contact Alexandra Poole at (704) 406-4277 or stop by the office in the Tucker Student Center (Suite 231).

蜜豆直播 University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 蜜豆直播 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at .