We are
called in life to go out and be the hands and feet of God in this world,
and Christians
Open Minded takes this calling very seriously! COM provides many different opportunities for mission work to
all of its members to suit any need. Whether you're looking for an
extended trip to another country or simply serving breakfast in the
Lancaster area, chances are we have something you'll be interested in!
We participate in many local mission opportunities each semester. Our
trips to national and international locations are usually offered at a
reduced cost to its members. Over spring break we offer
TWO alternative spring break trips, teaming up with either Shippensburg
University United Campus Ministry or Appalachian Service Projects, as
well as a medical mission trip to Honduras! If you are
interested in going on a missions trip, COM can help you find your
opportunity! Click on the links to the right or simply scroll down
for more information on the opportunities we offer!
INFO ON SPRING
BREAK 2009 TRIPS - CLICK HERE!
Local Mission Work
In and around Lancaster County |
- Sunday Morning Breakfast - Every
Sunday morning a free breakfast is held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
in Lancaster. Preparation begins at 7 am with breakfast being served at 8 am.
Clean-up is done by 9:30 am. They serve approximately 60 to 80 people each Sunday.
You are welcome to help on any Sunday morning. COM
plans to help several times each semester if several people are interested in working on the
same Sunday. Contact the officers or Darrell if you are
interested and we'll set up a carpool!
- Mission / Service Projects - The 3rd
Weekend of each month, COM goes out into the local community to do
various service projects. Sometimes, this may mean cleaning up
trash that litters the streets and roads. Other times, it may
mean helping in a soup kitchen or shelter. But you can always
be sure that we are making an impact on the Millersville/Lancaster
community in which we live. Check our Calendar of Events page
to stay updated on the Mission / Service Projects we are planning in
the near future. Come on out and be the hands and feet of God,
with the company of friends!
- Pet Therapy - God's Dogs
- Early Friday
evenings,
Dr. Debra Vredenburg, Psychology
Department, does pet therapy at Willow Valley Retirement Community,
visiting one-on-one with residents. She appreciates any time
she is able to add a
spiritual dimension to this therapy. If you would like to go along
with her to read a small portion of scripture and/or pray with the
resident, please contact Dr. Vredenburg or talk to an officer or
Pastor Darrell. You can help as little or as often as you'd
like! This particular mission opportunity is especially
interesting for Psychology majors!
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National Mission Work
Around the United States |
- Appalachian Service Projects - COM sends
a team of workers to the Appalachian region of the United States to
do home repair for those who desperately need it, visit with
residents, as well as other assorted tasks. We are now
registered for a mission trip to southern WV or KY (roughly 9 hours
away) for spring break 2009!! Please let us know if
you are interested in attending! The estimated cost of this
weeklong trip is $225-250 plus food on the way down and back, and
COM plans to help its members monetarily. If you are interested in
this trip, talk to the officers or Pastor Darrell.
- Gulf Coast Rebuilding - COM has teamed up
with Shippensburg University UCM to send a team to Louisiana to
repair the damage caused in 2005 by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The
damage to this area is extensive and will still take several years to finish, so every helping hand is a great thing. The
group goes down over Spring Break. If you are interested in
this trip, talk to the officers or Pastor Darrell and we will work
to set your trip up. COM will do
its best to help monetarily.
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International
Mission Work
Around the World |
- Help Sponsor our Compassion International Child! - Looking
for an easy way to help others in the world without even leaving
campus? COM
sponsors a child named Marvin from Honduras so that through money,
prayers, and love - he can eat healthy foods and go to school. The
cost of this program is just $32 a month for the group - so just a
couple dollars per person each month is enough for this worthy cause! What seems like
so little to us can mean a world of difference to him. Money
may be given to either Pastor Darrell or to Stacey O'Connell
(treasurer). Donations are also collected each Tuesday
at our COM-Unity.
- Medical Mission Trip to Honduras - Interested
in lending helping hands to those who are desperately in need? Then consider
a trip to Honduras! No prior knowledge
or experience is required.
We are currently planning our trip for spring break 2009 so if
you are interested please let us know! You will stay in hotels and work in local medical missions. There
will also be one or two days for touring. Our Honduras trips are sponsored
by Mission Relief Services of Coatesville and First Presbyterian
Church of Lancaster, and are designed especially for MU college students. Steven Mentzer of Mission Relief Services
will accompany the group. Estimated cost of this trip is around $1200-1400 which
includes air fare, lodging, and meals, but COM will do its best to
help monetarily. Group fundraisers are also in the works! The group size for this
trip is
limited to 12-15 people, so please let the officers or Pastor Darrell
know right away if you are interested!
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Want to know more?
[click here]
to contact us! |
