Leaving behind buffets and bows, presents and pageants, South Carolina college students are swapping the traditional Christmas festivities for an experience quite different.

Nineteen students, ten of whom are involved with Baptist Collegiate Ministries on their campuses, will be traveling to Asia over the Christmas holidays to share the good news of Jesus through teaching English, dramas and caroling among other activities. 

“We’ve never done this before.  This is the first year we have participated in sending students to Asia over Christmas and the trips are full,” said Chad Stillwell, Associate Director of Collegiate Ministries at the SC Baptist Convention.

Ann*, a South Carolina student traveling to Asia, said the region has always been in the back of her mind but when a friend went to the area this summer, she was inspired to spend her holidays overseas. 

“God is already preparing me to go.  I had the opportunity to meet another student from Asia who was in a car accident not long after we talked.  I met her parents, who spoke very little English, at the hospital.  Our BCM sent her a card and have kept in contact with her over the past couple of weeks.  It is like the Lord started my mission project before I left this country.”

Shelby*, a college senior, feels like God is calling her to leave behind the commercialism often evident in this country around the holidays and put her faith into action.  Unlike Ann, Shelby never considered mission work in the region until attending a collegiate conference at Ridgecrest earlier this year. 

“At times this country seems so superficial at Christmas.  When I heard about the trip at Ridgecrest this just seemed like a great opportunity.”

The students will travel to Asia before Christmas and will return after the holidays, which is most of the college Christmas break.  The trips provide an opportunity to serve for students who have a heart for missions but cannot travel over their summer break. 

“So many students simply cannot give up their summer because of work and financial obligations as well as summer school.  We wanted to give students a chance to go on the mission field another time during the year,” said Stillwell.

Stillwell added the Collegiate Ministries Group hopes to continue to send students to the region every year and the trips are open to any college student, whether they are involved with BCM on their campuses or not.

Both Ann and Shelby covet the prayers of everyone in South Carolina as they work and minister. 

“I am praying that I would be open to the people there and to divine appointments as I go,” said Shelby.

Similarly, Ann feels the communication will be the key to successfully ministering to the Asian population.

“Communication is my biggest prayer request—that I would be able to communicate clearly to the people.”

Note: The names of the students have been changed due to security concerns