This summer, Kent State students will travel to Lisbon, Portugal, through Cru, a global interdenominational Christian organization active on Kent’s campus, to share their faith and develop ministry skills.
Gianna Rodriguez, sophomore American Sign Language interpreting major, will be joining these students on the trip.
The mission trip will give Kent Cru students the chance to connect with Cru students from other campuses in Lisbon, Rodriguez said.
While the trip is not physically demanding or hands-on like mission trips focused on building projects, it will still provide a meaningful opportunity for spiritual growth, outreach and connection.
“This is a unique opportunity for me to develop spiritual leadership and ministry skills to make a Christ-centered impact back on my campus and then beyond,” Rodriguez said.
Her involvement with Kent Cru has been a key part of her college experience. Rodriguez said she was raised Catholic but wasn’t actively living out her faith or pursuing a personal relationship with God.
Instead, being Catholic was more of a social identity, as most of her family and friends from her hometown in Long Island, NY, identified with the religion. Since joining Cru, she said she has found a strong community that has deepened her relationship with God.
“This is a campus ministry that, not to be dramatic, has radically transformed who I am as a person in the short time I have been here,” Rodriguez said. “It’s given me a space to grow in my faith, build meaningful friendships and learn how to share the love of Christ with those around me.”
Through Kent Cru, she takes part in Bible studies, attends worship nights and participates in a workshop designed to help her practice connecting with fellow students in preparation for her trip to Portugal. Rodriguez is eager to apply what she has learned through Cru overseas.
“I’m excited to grow closer in my relationship with God, strengthen my ability to share my faith and see how God will work in and through our team to leave an impact on as many lives as possible,” she said.
To make the trip possible, Rodriguez and other students are seeking both prayer and financial support. All the students going on the trip have a goal of raising $5,400 each to cover travel, housing and ministry expenses.
This ensures all students are starting on the same page so the opportunity isn’t limited to only those who can afford it. It also serves as a lesson in faith, she said, reinforcing the belief that God will provide.
As a college student, funding a month-long international mission trip is no small task, Rodriguez said. She is confident she will meet her goal, but others on the trip share similar concerns.
Catie Kerr, a junior accounting major preparing for the trip, said the fundraising process has been stressful.
“I’ve been a little worried about my support raising because it’s such a large amount to raise,” Kerr said. “It’s also been difficult because I know that being gone for a month will affect me working and making money over the summer.”
Financial stress has always been a challenge for her, making trust in God’s plan an important part of this experience, she said.
“It makes it so I can’t take matters into my own hands,” Kerr said. “I have to rely on God, and I have faith that it will all work out in the end.”
Kerr finds comfort in remembering her sense of calling before choosing to go to Portugal.
“Reminding myself that this is where I feel God wants me to be helps me stress less about it all,” she said.
Rodriguez feels similar and said the experience has deepened her faith.
“This process has really strengthened my faith, reminding me that God will provide,” Rodriguez said. “I know that every prayer and contribution is part of something bigger than myself, and I’m so grateful for the support.”
Erin Lavinder is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].