Missions spotlight: Tennessee team learns from SALTNEXTGEN
High school students and faculty spent spring break serving in Nashville, Tennessee with SALTNEXTGEN. SALTNEXTGEN exists “to train and send the next generation to reach the nations with the Gospel for the glory of God,” and the organization is very involved in refugee care in the greater Nashville area. The Wesleyan team partnered with SALTNEXTGEN’s ministry by supporting their evangelism outreach ministry in the refugee community and playing with Burmese children at a local church.
As the Wesleyan team supported the refugee ministry, they also learned more about some of the refugees’ religious backgrounds. Students heard from refugees practicing Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism and Christian refugees who had previously practiced other religions.
“Our team learned or was reminded that all of these religions focus on doing something to get to the next level,” explained Andrea Shupert, assistant director of college advising. “As Christians, we believe Christ has already done the work on the cross.”
As the team learned more about the trials of refugees and some religious differences, they found unity in worshipping Christ. Junior Kyla Richardson shared that “the most impactful part of the trip was when our group gathered together to worship. I felt the most connected to God and my team at this moment. We even held hands and sang ‘Jesus loves you this I know, for the Bible tells me so,’ to one another.”
In addition to meeting many refugees, the Wesleyan team also studied their culture by sampling their traditional food and visiting their businesses and places of worship.
Thank you, Tennessee team, for supporting God’s work in Nashville!
