Lighthouse Mission Trips

Combining ministry and scholarship to effectively shine the light of Christ's love around the globe.

Purpose

Lighthouse engages students in carefully chosen international service learning projects and enables them to step out of the familiar in faith, build relationships within other cultures, develop and exercise their gifts and abilities, expand their global perspective and explore vocational calling.

Lighthouse assists students in living a life consistent with the biblical view of world mission and life stewardship. As servant learners, Lighthouse teams partner with on-field ministries, helping to implement their long-term ministry goals and discovering the vastness of God's love for all nations and peoples.

Overview

For more than 10 years Taylor Fort Wayne students have spent their Interterm studying and serving around the world, experiencing the joys and challenges of cross-cultural ministry. At least one team is recruited in the spring for the following January.

A fall course (one credit hour) in cross-cultural ministry prepares each team for the field experience. In January, students engage in service projects, compassionate ministries, community development, teaching English, performing arts, evangelism, discipleship and other ministries under the direction of faculty sponsors and hosts. Students earn three cross-cultural credit hours through hands-on outreach, study and reflection.

Taylor University strives for excellence in all short-term mission programs and is a charter member of the Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission initiative.

How are teams selected?

Students go through an application process for the Interterm projects. Once team members have been selected, they begin meeting together in the fall semester. Students are also enrolled in the one-hour course IAS 120 Introduction to International Ministry.

What are the financial costs?

Lighthouse teams work together to raise the total cost of their projects through prayer letters, personal contributions and other fund-raising events. Contributions are tax-deductible and non-refundable. Students who agree to participate are responsible to share equally in the financial obligation of the outreach.

If sufficient funds are not raised, it is the responsibility of the group to cover the expenses personally or to raise additional funds. Additional student expenses include passport fees, immunizations and personal spending money.

What time commitment is involved?

Team members meet weekly during the fall semester for the IAS 120 course and team meetings. Most teams also plan a fall retreat and other social and/or preparation activities. Time is also needed for course assignments, sending prayer letters, obtaining travel documents, getting immunizations, sending thank you notes, etc.

What are the dates?

  • January Interterm: Teams generally depart the first week of January and return three weeks later.

Where have Lighthouse teams gone?

  • Some of Taylor's long-term partnerships include the following sites:
  • Northern Ireland
  • Evangelistic programs in schools and club meetings
  • Classroom discussion in public schools
  • Coffee bar ministry to youth
  • Evangelism
  • Sports outreach
  • Host organization: Project Evangelism
  • Ecuador
  • Evangelistic programs in schools and club meetings
  • Classroom discussion in public schools
  • Evangelism
  • Sports outreach
  • Host organization: World Partners/HCJB
  • Jamaica
  • Evangelistic programs in basic and primary schools
  • Drama outreach
  • Construction projects / service projects
  • Clothing and food distribution
  • Sports outreach
  • Host organization: Jesus for Jamaica

Contact Information

Lighthouse Program - Taylor World Outreach Office
Taylor University
1025 W. Rudisill Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
Phone: (260) 744-8699
Fax: (260) 744-8836
rcbaxter@tayloru.edu

 

And do not forget to do good
And share with others,
For with such sacrifices God is pleased. - Hebrews 13:16