From sharing stories of faith and adventure overseas, to gathering in worship and prayer, Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) students came together from October 5 to 9 to reflect on the impact of global missions during Missions Emphasis Week, hosted by Campus Ministries Global (CM Global).
The week featured a variety of events, including ‘Stories from the Field’, a night of prayer, a special chapel service featuring a guest speaker, a CM Global hangout, and a Global Night of Worship followed by a missions fair.
Missions Emphasis Week Kicks Off
Missions Emphasis Week launched on Monday night with ‘Stories from the Field’ in the DeSantis Family Chapel. Summer mission trip participants gathered to share their experiences and reflect on the ways God worked in communities across the globe.
Following an opening prayer, each mission team took the stage to share highlights from their trip, including stories of answered prayers, personal growth, and lives transformed through ministry.
Although each team served in different parts of the world, and completed different activities, their stories all spoke to how important it is to follow God’s calling.
“I think Mission Emphasis Week is important because it brings light to these opportunities,” said PBA sophomore Grace Plenis, who went on the J-skate trip to Japan. “The most impactful part of my trip was being able to break barriers between different cultures and showing how God’s love is the same no matter where you come from.”
Prayer: The Key to Missions Work
The emphasis on prayer continued Tuesday as students returned to the DeSantis Family Chapel for a night of prayer led by guest speaker, Karl Martin. The gathering encouraged students to pray together and uplift the teams preparing to serve during the upcoming spring break and summer trips.
On Wednesday, students heard from guest speaker and WorldLead Director Francois Vosloo. Francois and his wife, Karen are originally from South Africa but now call South Florida home. They serve on staff at Boca Raton Community Church. The couple has 45 years of missionary experience and are committed to leadership development, disciple-making, and prayer.
Vosloo began his message with an unexpected visual, a traditional three-legged African pot. He explained that each leg represented an essential part of following Jesus: the head, the heart, and the hands. He challenged students to examine their own faith, asking questions such as, “Are you at peace with God?” and “Do you know your purpose?”
Then he transitioned into speaking about how God sends us into the world to make a difference and what hinders us, and he explained ways we can join God’s mission. The service closed with the singing of the famous Sunday school song, ‘This Little Light of Mine.’
Wrapping Up an Impactful Week
The week concluded on Thursday with the Global Night of Worship, co-hosted with PBA’s Anchor Worship, where students worshiped and prayed together. Afterwards, students were invited to Upper Weyenberg for a CM Global missions fair, where the upcoming trips were revealed, and students met the new co-leaders.
“I would say just do it,” Plenis said about going on a trip. “You’re never going to feel ready enough, but God equips the called. Be open and be obedient to His call.”
During the 2026-27 academic year, CM Global is offering a variety of trips, ranging from Houston, Texas, to Southeast Asia and Europe.
To learn more about going on or supporting upcoming mission trips, visit PBA Campus Ministries & CM Global.
