Campbellsville University students serve in various mission projects in United States and abroad

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

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Nakita Gavre, a student from Harned, Ky., interacts with pre-school students in Belize.

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (05/21/2015)(readMedia)-- A total of 126 students from Campbellsville University are serving in missions and ministry projects this summer.

Students will serve at LifeWay CentriFuge/M-Fuge Camps, Crossings Camps, mission trips and ministry internships in Jasper, Ala., Taiwan, Ecuador, Ukraine, Haiti, China, Malta, El Salvador, Ireland and Belize; Spring Hill Camp in Cincinnati, Ohio; White Mills Christian Camp in White Mills, Ky.; Camp Loucon in Leitchfield, Ky.;

YMCA Camp in Colorado, Best Work Summer Camp, D3 Church Camp at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., Beach Reach in Florida, Camp Sonshine in Silver Spring, Md., Go-Tell Ministries, Country Lake Christian Camp in Indiana, Lion's Camp Crescendo's Camp Freedom, Wonder Valley Camp in Salem, Ind., Center for Courageous Kids Camp in Scottsville, Ky., study abroad in Spain, and internships throughout Kentucky and Ohio.

Campbellsville University students will also serve in Church Outreach Life Team, CU Summer Camp, CU Crew and lifeguarding on campus.

"Christian servant leadership is an ongoing point of emphasis for Campbellsville University faculty, administration and staff, coaches and students," Dr. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, said.

"We are very thankful for the large number of CU students who are serving in ministry and mission roles in Kentucky, around the country, and literally around the world."

Campbellsville University students will be serving all over the world this summer. Chowning said, "At Campbellsville University, we seek to be unapologetically Christ centered in our focus to higher education, and a basic part of our mission is that we follow the model of Christ in serving others in His name."

He said a number of CU administrators, faculty, staff and coaches, as well as our students, are serving in local churches on a regular basis - as pastors, associate pastors, interim pastors, student ministers, worship leaders, small group Bible study leaders, and in numerous other points of service.

He asked that everyone join Campbellsville University in prayer for those students in particular who are taking their summer breaks and spending that time in ministry and mission points of service.

Justin Watson, instructor in Christian studies, is currently on a mission trip in China. Dr. Scott Wigginton, professor of pastoral ministries and counseling, was recently on a mission trip to the Ukraine. Dr. John Hurtgen, dean of the School of Theology and professor of theology, will be going on a mission trip June 12 in Greece. Dr. Shane Garrison, dean of online education, will be working with CentriKid camps during the month of June.

Students from the School of Education are on an academic field experience called Study of Italian Education to Italy. While there, they will visit several schools including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, International Language Immersion, as well as public and private Italian schools. They will also take a tour of Christian Rome and visit cultural and historical sites including the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica.

The students on the trip include: Julie Ann Rice of Mundelein, Ill.; Shelby Mattingly of Versailles, Ky.; Joelle Leiferman of Louisville, Ky.; Jennifer Allen of Louisville, Ky.; Nakita Gavre of Harned, Ky.; and Shannon Shippee of Elizabethtown, Ky. Nina McCormick is a Campbellsville University graduate from Hardin County.

Also traveling with them are: Dr. Chuck Hamilton, associate professor of education and chair of undergraduate programs at Campbellsville University, and his wife, Fran Hamilton; Donna Fohl, interim early childhood education instructor and Louisville Education Center coordinator;

Ellen Hamilton-Ford, assistant professor of early childhood education, and her husband, Kevin; Dr. Kathleen Filkins, adjunct instructor in education; Dr. Sharon Hundley, associate professor of education and chair of early childhood education; Dr. Beverly Ennis, incoming dean of the School of Education, and her husband, Dr. Larry Ennis.

The list of students in the various mission trips include:

Working on campus with Rusty Watkins, coordinator of summer camps and conferences are: Bethany Boren of Versailles, Ky.; Haley Carman of Berea, Ky.; Jacqueline Beaty of Albany, Ky.; Joseph Bomia of Marion, Ky.; Kaitlyn Clifton of Portland, Tenn.; Mary Kate Young of Paris, Ky.; Tyler Arterburn of Campbellsville, Ky.; Wade Harris of Woodburn, Ky.; and Hannah George of Shelbyville, Ky.;

LifeWay Centri-Kid Camps – Aaron Smith of Cincinnati, Ohio., camp counselor; Adaline Willis of Franklin, Ky., camp counselor; Amber Hurm of Philpot, Ky., camp counselor; Aron Neal of Cincinnati, Ohio., camp counselor; Emily Hatley of Somerset, Ky., camp counselor; Jennifer Hatley of Somerset, Ky., camp counselor; Kayla Hisel of Williamstown, Ky., camp counselor; Leighton Lavey of Mayfield, Ky., camp counselor; Meg Brown of Russellville, Ky., assistant director; Tanner Royalty of Burgin, Ky., worship leader; Seth Royalty of Burgin, Ky., praise band; and Chris Mills of Magnolia, Ky.;

LifeWay CentriFuge/M-Fuge Camps – Hannah Sadler of Campbellsville, Ky., Mfuge video producer at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Hunter Smith of Springfield, Ky., centrifuge camp counselor at North Greenville; and Michael Jennings of Edmonton, Ky., centrifuge camp counselor at Union;

Crossings Camps – Aaron Nosich of Radcliff, Ky.; Christian Naylor of Russellville, Ky.; Olivia Murphy of Mt Sterling, Ky.; and Shelby Knuckles of Trenton, Ky.;

Mission Trips/Internships Abroad -- Adam Hicks of Bardstown, Ky., Quito, Ecuador; Alayna Clifton of Portland, Tenn., Ecuador; Courtney Waddles of Louisville, Ky., ministry internship in Taiwan; Jeremy Litton of Bowling Green, Ky., Open Hearts Church in Kiev, Ukraine; Kevin Rothaker of Milton, Tenn., Open Hearts Church in Kiev, Ukraine; Leah Powers of Williamsburg, Ky., Haiti; Sara Hagan of West Lafayette, Ind., Navigators, China; Zack Gray of Harrodsburg, Ky., Ministries to Malta, Malta; Rebekah Davis of Louisville, Ky., El Salvador; Tonia Skaggs of Campbellsville, Ky., Ireland; and Sarah Rudd of Louisville, Ky., Belize;

Mission Trips in United States -- J.D. Shipp of Upton, Ky., Jasper, Ala.; Internships in United States – Cody Szymanel of Lorain, Ohio, worship intern, Lighthouse Baptist Church, Lorain, Ohio; Jeremy Litton of Bowling Green, Ky., children's intern, Eastside Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio; Tiffani Ellington of Boaz, Ky., youth intern at home church;

Landon Rodgers of Harrodsburg, Ky., CIY Ministry Conference intern; Jesslyn McCandless of Elizabethtown, Ky., Love Thy Neighborhood intern; Emily Kamenish of Louisville, Ky., Maryhurst, intern; and Nina Elbert of Louisville, Ky., ministry intern; Christian Missions, local – Adam Coleman of Utica, Ky., youth minister, Bethabra Baptist Church, Owensboro, Ky., Chris Lind of Lexington, Ky., associate pastor of families, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Lexington, Ky.;

Dalton Hicks of Campbellsville, Ky., youth minister, Jamestown First Baptist Church, Jamestown, Ky.; David Wray of Campbellsville, Ky., pastor, Faith Baptist Church, Campbellsville, Ky.;

Fella Wilson of Campbellsville, Ky., senior minister, Woodlawn Christian Church, Campbellsville, Ky.; James Washington of Campbellsville, Ky., pastor, Fannie Chapel AME Church, Campbellsville, Ky.; Jasmine Barnett of Campbellsville, Ky., youth minister, Parkway Baptist Church, Hodgenville, Ky.;

Tywon Williams of Fort Knox, Ky., youth minister in Lifeline Temple Church of God in Christ; J.D. Shipp of Upton, Ky., pastor, Upton Baptist Church; moderator, Lynn Baptist Association and Kentucky Baptist Convention Mission Board; Joey Bomia of Marion, Ky., youth minister, Buffalo Baptist Church, Hodgenville, Ky.;

Johannesburg Boulware II of Elizabethtown, Ky., youth ministry, The Journey (church in Elizabethtown, Ky.; Mitchell Monroe of Morganfield, Ky., student ministry assistant, Valley Creek Baptist Church, Elizabethtown, Ky.;

Sara Ard of Somerset, Ky., youth ministry, Beacon Hill Baptist Church; Sean Doston of Campbellsville, Ky., youth director, Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Campbellsville, Ky.; Trevor Cook of Horse Cave, Ky., youth minister, Trammel Creek Baptist Church; Brett Sowell of Auburn, Ky., youth minister at Edgewood Baptist Church, Nicholasville, Ky.;

David Richards of Beaver Dam, Ky., part-time music minister, result of Church Outreach Team; Tess Valentine of Columbus, Ohio, children's church volunteer; Lisa Gray of Louisville, Ky., First Baptist Church LaGrange Clean Team Ministry; Brooke Herron of Louisville, Ky., interim piano player, Bullick Lick Baptist Church;

Cathy Bates of Louisville, Ky., Eucharistic minister, St. Edward; Danny Peavley of Buckner, Ky., Northeast Christian Church; Brianna Shelby of Louisville, Ky., youth minister and worship leader; Denise Raine of Louisville, Ky., Sis for Life, MGM, Hope N da Hood, Unicorn (AIDS ministry);

James Kendrick of Louisville, Ky., pastor, Second Baptist Church; Walter Davis of Louisville, Ky., pastor, First Baptist Church, Campbellsville, Ky.; Enrique Butler of Louisville, Ky., interim pastor, minister of education, Forest Tabernacle Baptist Church;

Katherine Nally of Louisville, Ky., Breckinridge Free Methodist Church, nursing home, Juvenile Detention Center, piano accompanist, lessons; Barbara Lewis of Louisville, Ky., Emmanuel Baptist Church; Deborah Thomas of Louisville, Ky., worship leader; Becky LaFever of Louisville, Ky., Sunday School, Women's Bible Study, prayer meeting leader;

Stephen Bundrant of Louisville, Ky., Campbellsburg Second Baptist Church; Howard Cobb of Louisville, Ky., associate pastor, First Baptist Church; Mike Johnson of New Albany, Ind., worship service leader; Gina McDaniel of Louisville, Ky., Canaan Christian Church, medical team leader, Sunday School teacher; and Alyssa Basler of Crestwood, Ky., Cornerstone Family Church, preschool children's ministry;

Spring Hill Camp, Cincinnati, Ohio -- Amber Watercutter of Versailles, Ky., camp counselor; Bry Carkin of Harrodsburg, Ky., camp counselor; Clark Tippet of Midway, Ky., camp counselor; Derek Kearney of Cadiz, Ky., camp counselor; Jenny Carr of Frankfort, Ky., camp counselor; Jonathon Kattus of Versailles, Ky., camp counselor; Kaylin Litton of Bowling Green, Ky., camp counselor; Lacy Walker of Louisville, Ky., camp counselor; Parker Raikes of Lebanon, Ky., camp counselor; Sadie Mills of Hardyville, Ky.;

White Hills Christian Camp, White Mills, Ky. – Kathryn Thomas of Elizabethtown, Ky.,: Camp Loucon, Leitchfield, Ky., Kaitlin Roberts of Monticello, Ky., Camp Loucon; YMCA Camp, Colorado – Christian Thurman of Greensburg, Penn., camp counselor;

Best Work Summer Camp – Sabina Massey of Lexington, Ky.; D3 Church Camp at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Cassy Belew of Louisville, Ky.; Beach Reach, Florida – Jenna Rueff of Louisville, Ky., Beach Reach camp counselor;

Camp Sonshine, Silver Spring, Md. – Amanda Hamilton of Philpot, Ky., camp counselor at Camp Sonshine, Md.; Go-Tell Ministries – Elisa Bauer of Louisville, Ky.: Country Lake Christian Camp, Indiana, T.J. Miguel of Georgetown, Ind., counselor;

Lion's Camp Crescendo's Camp Freedom – Shelley Crawford of Mt. Eden, Ky., counselor; Wonder Valley Camp, Salem, Ind., Brad Clem of Scottsburg, Ind.; Center for Courageous Kids Camp, Scottsville, Ky., Kacy Stinson of Scottsville, Ky., camp counselor; Study Abroad – Taylor Ohlmann of Louisville, Ky., Spain;

Summer lifeguards at Campbellsville University – Alex Meade of Paintsville, Ky.; Rebekah Tilton of Boiling Springs, Penn.; Patrick Dylan Ford of Campbellsville, Ky.; Erik Krivitsky of Upatoi, Ga.; Kathryn Thomas of Elizabethtown, Ky.; Bailey Foxworth of Nicholasville, Ky.; Amber Wright of Marion, Ky.; and Morgan Bryant of Campbellsville, Ky.;

Campbellsville University Church Outreach Life Teams – Leighton Lavey of Mayfield, Ky.; Logan Curtis of Lawrenceburg, Ky.; Lucas Humphrey of Shepherdsville, Ky.; Martin Combs of Campbellsville, Ky.; Tori Hester of Henderson, Ky.; and Zach Napier of Mt Washington, Ky.; and

Campus Ministries, CU Crew – Katlin Weeks of Louisville, Ky.; Katy Johnson of Campbellsville, Ky.; Melissa Langstaff of Grayson, Ky.; Samantha Ross of Willisburg, Ky.; and Zack Wright of Summersville, Ky.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

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cutline for picture

Nakita Gavre, a student from Harned, Ky., interacts with pre-school students in a classroom in

Belize during spring break in March 2015. She is also on an educational trip to Italy this

summerwith School of Education students and faculty. (Campbellsville University Photo by

Victoria Hundley)