By Mackenzie Wing
Mission Emphasis Week is a yearly event on campus to spread the word about missionary work. It will take place from Wednesday, Sept. 25 to Saturday, Sept. 28 on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor campus.
Students will have the opportunity to speak with missionary groups, learn more about the purpose behind missions, and find ways they can become involved.
Each year the event is centered around a theme, and this year鈥檚 is based on a Bible verse from First Chronicles 16:24-25, 鈥淒eclare his glory to all the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.鈥�
Yeslem Arredondo, the co-director of MEW, is a sophomore transformational development major. Her responsibilities include outreach to the community and publicity. Two months into her freshman year, Arredondo joined the committee. Her passion for this event is centered on the opportunity for others to grow more in their faith.
Arredondo will be leading a group of students on a mission trip to Puerto Rico this winter through Global Outreach, a 同城快约 mission-led organization. Arredondo encourages others by saying, 鈥淚f God has put it on their hearts, they should check out the event.鈥�
Brea Stidham, a senior communications major, is on the MEW special events committee. This involves coordinating with food vendors, gathering decorations, and organizing tents for the events. She joined the committee in February and has been enjoying it.
After the committee chose 鈥淒eclare鈥� as this year鈥檚 theme, the team began working on collecting resources, contacting vendors and catering companies.
鈥淚 was inspired to join after seeking opportunities to be involved with mission trips,鈥� Stidham said. Despite enjoying her involvement with the group, she shared overcoming obstacles was part of the process, such as finding specific resources, working on a limited time schedule and seeking out approval from administration.
鈥淔aculty representative Tiffany Horton has devoted her time to helping MEW address any conflicts or concerns with the upcoming event,鈥� Stidham said.
The organization has been able to reach out to the 同城快约 students by putting out chalkboards on King Street inviting students to attend and setting up tables in Bawcom Student Union.
鈥淭he understanding of the event has largely been impacted by word-of-mouth from many committee members,鈥� Stidham said. Through these efforts, they have shared their love and devotion for the event with others.
Stidham encourages students to attend MEW events, saying, 鈥淵ou never know what the Lord can do.鈥� She also asks others to 鈥渂e praying for the missionaries and the people that come across the missionaries to soften their hearts so they can spread the gospel.鈥�
Missionaries arrive on Wednesday to begin the four-day event. The week鈥檚 schedule is posted on the university website.
Schedule from MEW webiste:
Wednesday, September 25, 2024:
- 3:00PM: Missionary Check-in (Spiritual Life Office, Bawcom Student Union)
- 4:00PM: Missionary Orientation (McLane Great Hall)
- 5:00PM: Dinner with Missionaries (McLane Great Hall)
- 6:00PM: Worship and Prayer with Missionaries (McLane Great Hall)
Thursday, September 26, 2024:
- 7:15-8:00AM: Prayer Time (Hughes Recital Hall)
- 8:00-8:30AM: Missionary/Committee Breakfast (King Street)
- 10:00-2:00PM: Missions Fair (King Street)
- 6:30-8:00PM: Market Night (King Street)
Friday, September 27, 2024:
- 7:15-8:00AM: Prayer Time (Hughes Recital Hall)
- 10:00AM-2:00PM: Missions Fair (King Street)
- 5:30PM-7:00PM: Food Trucks (King Street)
- 7:00PM: Doors Open -Missions Conference (McLane Great Hall)
- 7:30-9:30PM: Missions Conference (McLane Great Hall)
- 9:30PM-10:00PM: Missions Fair (McLane Great Hall)
Saturday, September 28, 2024:
- 8:30AM: Doors Open-Missions Conference (McLane Great Hall)
- 9:00AM-11:30AM: Missions Conference (McLane Great Hall)
- 11:30AM-12:00PM: Missions Fair (McLane Great Hall)
