BU’s Mission Club Travels to Spain

Photographs provided by Rampage student photographer Abby Gasperson.

Bluefield University’s Mission Club took advantage of Spring Break 2023 to journey to Spain to share the Gospel with youth.

The mission trip was in conjunction with The English Connection (TEC) to form relationships with students by asking them about their culture, influences, and how they view Americans. Erin Bowers, one of the club members, spoke about the trip, her first experience on a mission abroad.

“I was nervous, but so excited because this is something I have always wanted to do,” Bowers said. “That was one of the greatest experiences of my life. You learn a lot when putting yourself out into a new experience.”

Antowyne Shaw, another club member, was participating in his second mission abroad. He spoke about the uniqueness of the mission to Spain.

“Since Spain is a different mission field from the United States, a different approach is required,” Shaw said. “If one were to start with the Gospel, one would be rejected outright. So, it is necessary to create deep bonds with residents and act like Christ before telling others about him.”

As part of their time in Spain, the group went around talking to students and participating in prayer walks around one of the universities in Madrid and throughout the neighborhoods surrounding the hotel where church services were held.

However, not everything went as expected. The BU students encountered some problems even before reaching their destination. Audrianna Donham said they had delays at the airport, but they arrived on time. They also had issues with their Airbnb, but in the end, it did not affect the experience. She added that the missionaries they worked with were dedicated to helping them get acclimated to the Spanish culture.

Bowers also spoke about the important goal of sharing the Gospel with the people of Spain.

“Because only one percent of Spaniards believe in Jesus, it was an interesting experience to share our own faith,” Bowers said.

The Spring Break trip to Spain was the first of the three missions planned by the Bluefield University Mission Club this year. The next one will be to Quito, Ecuador, on May 8-16, and this year for the first time the Mission Club will participate in a medical mission trip to Lima, Peru, on May 22-30.