January Interterm (J-term) provides students with the opportunity to travel on Lighthouse mission trips.
In a typical year, Taylor World Outreach (TWO) expects to send out six to seven groups of students on trips across the globe. Due to the pandemic, only four trips will be sent out this J-term.
These trips are driven by service, engagement and community. Lighthouse trips are focused on outreach opportunities to serve and bring deeper meaning to personal and team development. In January 2022, students will travel to Spain, Honduras, Kosovo and Central Asia.
The Spain trip consists of two main components involving academics and outreach. As an apologetics mission trip, students will take a class in contemporary Christian beliefs and partner with the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches in Basque Country.
In Honduras, students will engage with individuals experiencing economic distress. Their service involves supporting development by assisting in skills training for jobs at local businesses.
Students in Kosovo will work in partnership with Greater Europe Mission (GEM) to organize programs and activities for local youth.
Traveling to Central Asia is a new endeavor for Taylor students. Once there, students will work alongside medical missionaries teaching English all while building relationships.
Director of Taylor World Outreach, Chip Bii plays an integral part in making each trip a heart-changing experience.
“They are designed to be transformational and not transactional,” Bii said.
According to Bii, the difference between transformation and transaction is the powerful relationships built with God and the team and local people.
There are three phases to Lighthouse trips: preparation, experience and reflection.
“Past students have told me explicitly that they went into the trip primarily for themselves, and after the trip they were transformed in the way they view others,” Bii said. “There is a shift from ‘me’ to ‘we’ and a shift from ‘I’ to ‘God.’”
TWO intern, senior Kara Knight, oversees the behind-the-scenes work of these trips.
“Everyone who has been on one has said it had a great impact and really enjoyed it,” Knight said. “They learned a lot.”
Applications for J-term Lighthouse trips are no longer open, but students may inquire about future opportunities by contacting the TWO office located in the Boren Student Center.
