He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures and told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations ... You are witnesses of these things." (Luke 24:45-48)
EVERY SUMMER SINCE 1981, Northwestern College students have spent 6 to 10 weeks serving as short-term missionaries through Summer of Service (SOS). They have served on six continents and in around 90 countries. Students raise the money themselves to cover transportation, room and board, and program expenses, mostly from family, friends, their home churches and on-campus service projects.
They have traveled to countries like Albania, Bolivia, Fiji, Ghana, Haiti, India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Peru, Romania and Uganda to serve with mission partners including the Luke Society, Pioneers, Wycliffe and the Reformed Church in America. They have worked in churches, hospitals, orphanages, schools and refugee centers; taught vacation Bible school and English as a second language; and served in sports and hospitality ministries. They have milked yak, helped deliver babies and supported victims of sex trafficking. Summer of Service alumni often serve as missionaries after graduation: some for a week or a month, others for a lifetime.
Christians from around the world welcome Northwestern students into the action of their ongoing ministries. The students return home with questions about God and the world and stories of the surprising ways the Holy Spirit has transformed their hearts and minds. They say confidently that Christ is, indeed, at work in the world, and they're eager to discover what God wants them to do next.
Alaska
Echo Ranch Bible Camp
Participant: Jessica McCubbin
In Alaska, Jessica served as a counselor at a Christian summer camp, guiding children and teens through Bible lessons, cabin discussions and outdoor activities. She also helped with meals and facility upkeep, mentored campers and listened to their stories. Jessica witnessed both the deep needs and remarkable resilience of the youth she served, seeing firsthand how Christ’s light can shine into difficult circumstances.
Reflection by Jessica McCubbin ’25
Being a light
I learned that the state of Alaska has the highest suicide rate and comparably high rates of substance and domestic abuse in homes. Hearing my campers tell me about their lives made me realize how important it was for me to be there. Sharing the story of Jesus and being a person they could look up to and ask questions of was an absolute blessing. These campers needed to see a light that only God gives, and I hope I provided that for them.
God’s strength + love
My SOS taught me how to rely on the Lord’s strength and not seek my own understanding. God equips those he’s chosen, and I learned to be gracious with others and depend on God when our strength fails us. The people I served with were constantly pouring into me and through them, I experienced the love that Christ pours out for his followers.
PRAY that the camp staff continues to lead and serve with generous hearts. Pray that when they feel depleted, they would take their weariness to the Lord and be filled with his strength.
Brazil
RCA Global Mission + International Partnership Ministries
Participants: Hannah Beckloff, Jewel Bergstrom, Jori Harskamp, Ella Peterson, Miriam Rete, Kamea Van Kalsbeek
A Northwestern team joined Amazon Outreach for a two-week journey along the Amazon River, serving remote villages through medical ministry and evangelism. Living aboard a riverboat, students partnered with local believers to provide clinical care, distribute medicine and eyeglasses, and share the gospel through door-to-door outreach. They also led vacation Bible school and Bible studies, engaging children and families in worship and prayer.
God at work
Reflection by Jewel Bergstrom ’26 and Kamea Van Kalsbeek ’27
We would gather on the boat every morning and night to worship together and talk about God’s continual goodness. It was such a blessing to listen to people sharing from their day—from small things happening at just the right moment to people accepting Jesus as their Savior. Many individuals knew about the gospel but didn’t fully understand if they would go to heaven. They don’t have access to churches, but we supported them where we could, telling them about what Jesus did on the cross for them.
Confidence in Christ
Reflection by Ella Peterson ’26 and Miriam Rete ’26
I know God’s character differently than I ever have before. During a conversation one night, many of us on the team admitted we felt inadequate to be there. Other team members expressed so much support and affirmation that we were meant to be on this trip—that if God sent us, he must have a purpose for us there. I understand more fully how God can use weakness to show his strength and how he is at work in every corner of the world.
PRAY for the physical needs of the people there, and for the pastors and missionaries traveling alongside the river. Pray that they stay encouraged as they do the work the Lord has set out for them. Let the seeds we planted continue to be watered so they may flourish.
Ghana
Pioneers
Participant: Kenzie vonRentzell
While serving in Ghana, Kenzie assisted teachers in local classrooms, led Bible story discussions and shared Scripture throughout nearby towns and remote villages. She witnessed both the openness of the people and the blending of Christian and Islamic beliefs, deepening her awareness of the need for clear teaching of the gospel.
Reflection by Kenzie vonRentzell ’25
Global perspective
A big challenge in Ghana is confusion when it comes to the gospel—Christian and Islam theologies are very intermixed. I met people who claimed to be Christian but believed works would save them, and I realized the importance of sound doctrine and the call we have as Christians to share it.
Planting seeds
The Lord continues to teach me that I am a sower of seeds. I didn’t see anyone come to Christ this summer, but I trust that the seeds I planted will continue to be watered.
PRAY that the hearts of the locals will continue to soften and that my hosts won’t grow weary in watering seeds. Pray for conviction and clarity for the locals, that they will understand the differences between Islam and Christianity.
Ireland
Dublin Christian Mission
Participants: Brielle Engelmann, Emily Westenberg
In Dublin, Brielle and Emily partnered with Dublin Christian Mission. They spent their mornings serving at a nonprofit coffee shop, afternoons working with kids in an after-school program, and evenings providing meals to those in need. Through their service, they witnessed the ministry’s deep commitment to meeting physical needs as a pathway to sharing the gospel.
Reflection by Brielle Engelmann ’27
Necessary balance
Emily and I quickly discovered we had different strengths and weaknesses, which the Lord used in many situations to bring a necessary balance. I am gifted in doing hands-on ministry and hearing people’s stories, while Emily has a passion for nonprofit business work. When I struggled to do the behind-the-scenes work, she encouraged me to see the importance of that piece of the mission. The Lord used both of us to grow our areas of weakness while encouraging us in our strengths.
God’s grace
I saw firsthand how the Lord’s grace meets me every day and how I am fully dependent on him. We realized that finding a good church would not be an easy task, but through the Lord’s provision, we met a man who told us about his small church. We went the following Sunday, and after just six weeks, Emily and I developed relationships with over half the congregation. These individuals became some of our greatest encouragers as we served in Ireland.
PRAY for the people who serve at these ministry sites and that more would come alongside them. Pray for the leaders of each ministry, that the Lord would renew their strength and remind them of their purpose of bringing glory to God.
Italy
The Antioch Partners
Participants: Brayden Dirks, Mitch Nelson
Northwestern students served alongside missionaries in Rome, focusing on evangelism, discipleship and community outreach. They spent time in city parks engaging people in conversations about faith, invited new friends to game nights and church gatherings, and saw God at work in a spiritually dry place.
Reflection by Mitch Nelson ’26
Bold witness
The Lord is moving in Rome. Gospel conversations are happening every week—many with people who have never heard a clear presentation of the gospel. We helped encourage and equip other believers and met several Italian and international Christians who were deeply inspired to be bold in their witness after connecting with us.
God’s timing
God taught me deep dependency on him this summer, realizing I can’t change hearts but he can. Before this summer, evangelism felt intimidating and unfamiliar. Now my mindset has shifted from focusing on results to simply being faithful and obedient. I’ve learned to trust God’s timing.
PRAY for the long-term missionaries in Rome—for endurance, encouragement and continued boldness as they invest in slow, relational ministry. Pray also for the people we met—many of whom are spiritually hungry—and that seeds planted this summer would take root and grow.
Rhode Island
GenSend
Participant: Payton Van Sickle
In Providence, Payton partnered with GenSend to support Sacred City Church, a new church plant in one of the nation’s most spiritually challenging regions. He helped organize community events, conduct surveys and build connections with residents as the church worked to share the gospel and establish a faithful presence in the city.
Reflection by Payton Van Sickle ’28
Culture shock
Because I was still in America, I wasn’t expecting so much culture shock, but Providence is very different from the Midwest. I see so much light in Orange City—I wasn’t expecting a city in the U.S. to be so dark and worldly. There’s so much light that needs to be spread to the darkest parts of the world.
One body, many parts
I learned that the body of Christ is very diverse, and many different talents are needed for it to succeed. I noticed right away that other team members were very natural evangelists. I am not, and my pride was quickly humbled. Fortunately, I’ve been gifted with an administrative mind, which helped our team run smoothly and communicate well. Through my weakness, the Lord showed me the importance of everyone’s unique gifts.
PRAY that as the church continues to grow in number, it also grows in leaders. Pray for a new worship space to accommodate their growth and that the Lord would send more laborers to Providence to serve and be the light of Christ.
South Dakota
Living Stone Prison Church
Participant: Presley Arnold
Serving at Living Stone Prison Church at Mike Durfee State Prison, Presley joined inmates and pastors in worship, discipleship and daily ministry. He helped facilitate Bible studies, assisted with chapel upkeep, met one-on-one with men in the church community and had the opportunity to preach during a Sunday service.
Reflection by Presley Arnold ’28
Humbled heart
I was humbled rather quickly when I realized how often and how quickly I tend to judge other people, either based on their past or their appearance. Through hearing testimonies from some of the men, the Lord showed me the value of being a listener—one who simply seeks to hear the hearts of others.
Strength in weakness
I was given the opportunity to preach a sermon one evening. While I feel gifted with both the ability and desire to teach, I was met with an inability to rely on my own strength to do this effectively. I needed others around me to support, encourage and give advice, while ultimately leaning on the Lord for his guidance through preaching.
PRAY that the men at Mike Durfee State Prison would turn from their sinful tendency to serve two masters. Pray that they might be pierced with a conviction to turn solely to Christ and be satisfied in him alone.
Tanzania
Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministries (STEMM)
Participants: Kynlie Anderson, Clara Bader, Ellie Erickson, Luke Fisher, Brody Hoversten, Corbin Kleis, Claire Lamfers, Jacob Lewis, Joshua Lewis, Sydney Peterson, Gracie Vande Lune
The Northwestern team partnered with Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministries (STEMM) to serve communities in and around Arusha. Working with local doctors, pastors and translators, students joined a two-day medical outreach that provided free care to more than 3,000 patients, meeting physical needs while sharing the gospel. They also spent time with children at STEMM’s orphanage, leading activities and building meaningful relationships that reflected Christ’s love.
Joy of the Lord
Reflection by Kynlie Anderson ’27 and Ellie Erickson ’26
The people of Tanzania have so much joy even with such a hard life. They don’t have access to running water or medical care, but everywhere we went, people were praising God. It didn’t matter how little they had or how sick they were. If there is one lesson we took away from this experience, it was the importance of finding joy in the Lord no matter what life may look like.
Faith in action
Reflection by Gracie Vande Lune ’27
God taught me the importance of humility and dependence on him. Serving over 3,000 patients in just two days made it clear that it is only God who sustains the work and multiplies our efforts. From the Tanzanian people, I learned joy, gratitude and resilience in the midst of hardship. I also saw how faith in God—lived out daily in simple, trusting ways—can be a greater testimony than any words I speak.
Career confirmation
Reflection by Sydney Peterson ’26
God made it clear that he is calling me to pursue medical missions. What I experienced was more than just a trip; it was confirmation from God that he wants to use my gifts and passions to serve and bring the hope of Christ. My eyes were opened to how he can work through me far beyond my comfort zone, and it gave me a renewed purpose to follow him where he leads me.
PRAY that STEMM would find Christ-centered leaders for their ministry and that they receive the financial support needed to provide medical outreach clinics. Pray also that God would continue to bless their work and provide strength for the leaders and staff.
Thailand
Santisuk English School
Participants: Charlee Olson, Maddy Warning
Northwestern students partnered with Santisuk English School in Thailand, teaching English to students ranging in age from 16 to 50. With five locations in Bangkok, the school uses English classes to share the Bible and hope of Jesus with Thai people. The SOS team saw God at work as they fulfilled a need for the community—learning English—while introducing students to the Bible, Christian community and the gospel.
Reflection by Maddy Warning ’26
Bringing good news
Despite being a modern and large city, very few people in Thailand know about Jesus. I used to think that unreached areas were out in the jungle, but in Thailand, less than 0.5% of people are Christians. I learned that modern, heavily populated cities have a need for Christ to made known, too, but there are few missionaries to tell them about him. And how are they supposed to believe if no one tells them?
Making connections
In addition to teaching two classes a day, we spent time with students outside of the classroom. They showed us around Bangkok and introduced us to delicious food, and it was in this time that we began to develop friendships with our students and have deeper discussions about culture and religion. We were able to answer questions about our faith and testimony, and a few students were interested in learning more about the gospel.
PRAY for the church and school leaders, teachers and students. Pray that God uses Santisuk English School to meet the Thai people where they are and present Christ to them in a way that changes their lives and the nation of Thailand.
Zambia
Poetice
Participants: Sarah Moews, Mackenzie Schram
Partnering with Poetice in Zambia, NWC students spent six weeks in a discipleship training program centered on hearing God’s voice and living out faith in everyday life. Through the organization, they worked with local believers to lead children’s ministry, install solar-powered streetlights, assist with a water project and minister in clinics and prisons.
Reflection by Mackenzie Schram ’26
Talking with God
My personal faith grew so much this summer. God gave me the opportunity to hear his voice as we went through the community to pray over its residents. I learned that prayer is a part of how we talk to God and that God wants us to talk to him. He speaks to everyone and he never stops working.
Unique gifts
I used to only have an idea of what Christianity is like in America. In working alongside others, I was shown that there are new ways to worship and serve that may be different from what we are used to in the U.S. I learned how everyone has a place in the family of God, and that God uses all of us and our unique gifts to reach people.
PRAY for an inflow of volunteers willing to donate their time and energy to minister to the community, whether it be verbally or through acts of service. Also pray for continued community support and monetary gifts to keep the base in operation.