This summer, many of our students are traveling to international destinations to partner with local churches and ministries, serve alongside some of our HC alumni, and deepen their faith through Cross-Cultural Ministry Trips! Cross-Cultural Ministry Trips with Highlands College give students a life-changing experience where they can build community, practice cross-cultural ministry, and learn about God’s Mission for the global Church in the context of the least evangelized people groups of the world. Throughout each short-term trip, students witness God’s work and the impact of the Gospel firsthand. We invite you to read our students’ stories of eternal impact and celebrate all the Lord is doing in the global Church!
Cross-Cultural Ministry Trips
Cross-Cultural Ministry Trips with Highlands College give students a life-changing experience where they can build community, practice cross-cultural ministry, and learn about God’s Mission for the global Church in the context of the least evangelized people groups of the world.
Reaching the Unreached
Venturing into the Himalayas, where nearly 100% of the population has little to no access to the Gospel or a local Church, our team of students partnered with local missionaries and churches to bring the message of Jesus to those from Buddhist and Hindu backgrounds. Not only were students involved in organizing leadership trainings to equip local churches, but they also experienced profound growth while doing ministry in a cross-cultural setting.
Urgency of the Gospel
Global Ministry student Lilly Nemeth reflected on the experience: “Our team had the opportunity to share the gospel 41 times, witnessed two salvations, organized two church leadership summits, and built countless relationships with believers and nonbelievers.”
“We talked to a family (mom, dad, and two daughters). They had heard the Gospel before from the ministry partners and we had a chance to share it again. We got to give testimonies of how Jesus changed our own lives. They listened and told us they believed what we were saying was true, but the dad said that to respect his parents he could not become a Christian until they died. At first, it bothered me because I knew they didn’t really understand how important this decision was. There are so many people there who have never heard of Jesus, and these people had, and still would not accept Him (like many in America). I talked to the ministry partner about it, and he told me we can only be obedient and share the gospel when the Holy Spirit opens the door. Any result or product that comes is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit. We must be content knowing we were called to plant seeds. And we must be bold to keep doing it.”
— Madison Cranford
“The most fulfilling part of the trip was sharing Christ and witnessing people’s eyes being opened to His peace and love. It was especially powerful to see those who had only known chaos experiencing His peace and true love for the first time. Despite the challenges we faced, we knew we were right in the center of God’s will. Each person on this trip had a purpose, addressing specific needs in the people we encountered and within our team. Experiencing God’s presence while sharing His love with Buddhist and Hindu families was incredibly beautiful. Feeling His presence while hiking up a mountain in the pouring rain was unforgettable. God’s clear and unmistakable presence truly defined this trip.”
— Kayla Hudson
“My favorite story was an experience at one of our guest houses! The owners were believers and before we left to trek in the morning, we all worshipped together. On this trip, we discovered that “How Great Thou Art” has been translated into their mother tongue and they sing it at church, so we got to sing it in both English and their native language! It felt like heaven opened over us as we worshipped. Then, the best part: the guest houses’ daughter was home for the summer and joined in, and at the end, she gave her life to Jesus! I can say for all of us that it marked us and was one of my favorite moments of the trip.”
— Lilly Nemeth
Leadership, Discipleship, and Building Relationships
The leadership trainings were a pivotal part of this trip. While the team got to empower local church members in discipleship and evangelism, students got to apply what they have learned in the classroom through hands-on training.
By equipping local believers with the tools to reach their communities and strengthen the local church, the students saw firsthand the impact of sustainable ministry efforts. This reinforced the value of empowering others rather than merely providing temporary solutions.
Building relationships was another significant aspect of this trip. The team had many opportunities to forge genuine connections, and learned what a crucial foundation this is for effective ministry. These relationships opened doors for meaningful conversations and allowed the students to witness the diverse ways God works through different cultures and backgrounds.
The team got to spend time with Colin Buffington, an HC alumni who is now serving as a missionary in South Korea with Lifehouse International Church, during an extended layover.
Personal Reflections and Future Impact
The trip to the Himalayas was a transformative experience for the students as they saw God move in unexpected and mighty ways. They returned with a deeper appreciation for global ministry and a renewed commitment to their faith. We believe the lessons learned through practical application about leadership, discipleship, and the importance of building relationships will continue to shape their approach to ministry in the future.