“May we be a shining light to the nations/A shining light to the peoples of the earth,” the Rejoice Choir lifted their voices from the loge as colorful flags flooded down the Crowne Centre aisles followed by students dressed in respective national garb. Flag bearers anchored their banners into stands around the front platform, before joining their classmates in the choir loft. A highlight of Campus Church’s Missions Conference, the Parade of Nations remains a soul-stirring visual of what the Lord is doing around the world.
Every two years Campus Church formally shares the Great Commission with the church family, including Pensacola Christian College student body, staff, and faculty, by presenting missionaries and mission board representatives. At the heart of this event is a three-fold goal: “To lift up our Lord, encourage missionaries in the work God has called them to, and see others surrender their lives so serve God in vocational ministry,” shared Jason Young, Campus Church’s church ministries pastor. The 2025 theme was focused on the never-changing truth that “Only Jesus” can satisfy mankind’s deepest need.
Nations Represented on Campus
Altogether, 48 countries were represented through international students and missionary kids pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees at PCC. “I have heard of missionary kids being called ‘hidden immigrants,’” shared Ashlyn Campbell (So., Interdisciplinary Studies) from Canada. While she may not face the same cultural adjustments as other international students, Ashlyn is thrilled when she finds a student who can speak French and can bond over not knowing what movie or slang their friends are talking about. “One thing I love about PCC is that we have a diverse student body that is connected through Christ. No matter how different one student’s culture may vary from another, we have an immediate connection through our Savior. We’re already brothers and sisters.”
Egyptian David Marzouk (So., Management) loves telling people where he’s from and sharing about his country whenever he can. “I had great pride and joy in representing my country in the Parade of Nations,” he said. “Having been on the mission field for a good portion of my life, it’s very nice to see other missionaries and [hear] their experience and stories on the field.”
“One thing I love about PCC is that we have a diverse student body that is connected through Christ.”
A freshman studying professional writing, Judson Tyler from Brazil was impressed to witness many surrender their lives to missions. “[Campus Church] did a good job [sharing] awareness of what missions really is and inviting people to come and help,” Judson said. “It meant a lot to me that Campus Church wanted to recognize foreign students and missionary kids and give them a special place in the service.”
Sunday afternoon, a special lunch was provided for all missionary kids to share. Eagles athletic director and men’s basketball assistant Coach Goetsch, his wife, and two Campus Church Bible Study Groups assembled the meal, an opportunity for these students to connect over similar life experiences. “Pastor coordinates the speaker, we get some special music and plan the program,” explained Coach Goetsch. “I had one missionary kid state that this is their first favorite ‘non-college’ event that they look forward to. It’s nothing wow, but just fellowship with church family.” To continue the connection, students are asked to fill out prayer requests for themselves and their families. “We give those cards to our class members to not let the thought of [these students] be limited to this one-time activity.”
“It was so much fun to meet new people that grew up in different cultures and to represent the country that I grew up being a missionary kid in,” said Kensey Kessler (Jr., Nursing) from Bulgaria. Kensey came away blessed and encouraged that God will use anyone that is willing. “Through the preaching, I was reminded that it doesn’t take some big or special person to be a missionary or be called to full-time ministry.”
RoseLynn Willoughby (Fr., Interdisciplinary Studies) from Estonia sensed God speaking to her through the conference messages. “He might be calling me back to Estonia as a missionary someday,” she shared. “Coming to college in a different country is a very tough adjustment. The biggest differences probably being the culture, the food, and the weather, but I have grown so much in the past months, and I know that this will all be worth it in the end.”
The Laborers on the Field
Pastor of Capital City Baptist Church in Papua New Guinea, Dr. Matt Allen, delivered the first message during the conference. He and Dr. Mike Redick from Impact Global Outreach and ministries in Southeast Asia shared valuable insights from personal experiences on the field. More than 30 additional guest missionaries and board representatives attended the conference as well and were available to share about their ministries at display tables in the atrium.
A selection participated in a Q&A Thursday evening, facilitated by Dr. Jeff Redlin, senior pastor of Campus Church. That night, Drs. Mike and Lisa Redick reminded the audience to “understand the perceived need and then meet those perceived needs,” Lisa said. “Creating platforms to meet their needs, allows you to get in, allows people to get on, and then you can give them the gospel, especially in restricted access locations,” added Mike. “You have to build relationships—that’s the platform—then you can share the gospel.”
“You have to build relationships—that’s the platform—then you can share the gospel.”
“Missions Conference was an incredible encouragement to me,” shared Canadian Ashlyn Campbell. “What touched me the most were the opportunities I had to connect with missionaries one-on-one. It was inspiring to hear their passion to spread the gospel and burden for their fields of ministry. As a missionary kid, interacting with other missionary families left like being around family.”
In the weeks leading up to the Missions Conference, Campus Church organized what is called a Missionary Mall for the visiting missionaries. Donations from church members are collected and presented to the missionaries at a special fellowship on Saturday. “I think every missionary understands the hours of preparation and ‘labor of love’ that goes into the hundreds of gifts that are presented to them,” shared Pastor Redlin. “They are presented with such a wide variety of items, from candy to computers, that they go away with the obvious reminder that Campus Church cares for them and that God provides for them.”
Surrendering to Serve
Answering the call of the Great Commission looks different for individuals. For some, it’s a powerful message at a Missions Conference, for others, it’s following God’s leading in the everyday. Missionary Jessica Harris, during the Q&A panel, shared that it was daily faithfulness that led her to New Zealand. Having grown up in Japan, Jessica knew she wanted to be a part of foreign missions. “I over-dramatized what it was to be called of God to do something, that it was some magical moment,” she said, sharing her purposeful focus to serve in her local church and delight herself in the Lord. “I began praying for a ministry opportunity where I could be used and be useful.” From that request the Lord brought her to New Zealand and where she realized “that in the daily surrendering of yourself and walking with the Lord today, tomorrow He’ll guide your steps, one step at a time.”
Toward the end of the final service Sunday night, Kathryn Siefert (Music ’20, M.A. Music ’23) sang “I Will Serve the Lord” with the Rejoice Choir, aware of the gravity the song presented. “[The song] talks about giving up your life for Christ. That level of commitment and determination is difficult to imagine as an employee in the U.S.,” she shared. “It was an honor to sing from their shoes and tell the congregation, through the song, about the heart of missions from the heart of missionaries.”
“They were coming to say, of all the things to which we could give our lives, there is only one that is truly worth it all . . . only Jesus.”
Members of the congregation came forward to grasp the hands of the missionaries—students, staff, faculty, or church members publicly offering their lives to be used on the mission field. At the conference’s conclusion, Pastor Jeff Redlin shared what was most meaningful to him. “During the closing invitation, as our missionaries stood across the front of the auditorium, I watched scores of people came to pray with them and say, ‘God, with open hands I give myself to You. Use me in any way You choose,’” he shared. “Their stories have yet to be fully written . . . stories of churches planted, of gospel advancement, and of transformed lives. They were coming to say, of all the things to which we could give our lives, there is only one that is truly worth it all . . . only Jesus.”