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Student Missions
Is God calling you to be a missionary?
Contact Us
Kent Rufo
Spiritual Life & Development
Assistant Chaplain
Email: kent@swau.edu
Call: (817) 202-6462
Want to see what it takes to be a missionary? Learn more from our past missionaries and get informed about our current opportunities!
Learn
The links below will guide you in picking calls for missionary interest. If you have questions, feel free to contact the Spiritual Life and Development (SLAD) office and talk to our assistant chaplain, Kent Rufo, or email him at kent@swau.edu. Once you have chosen a call, you can start an application and begin your journey! Since most calls will start in the summer, it is ideal to start the application process from October to December.
Fundraise
Each missionary is responsible for covering the costs of being a missionary. Since costs can vary due to fees, airline prices, and other costs, the Spiritual Life and Development office will manage costs by only requiring one fee. Email Kent Rufo at kent@swau.edu for more information and assistance.
Apply
To apply to become a student missionary, talk to the missions coordinator, Kent Rufo, or email him at kent@swau.edu. Then start your paperwork and receive an official fundraising letter from SLAD. Here is a suggested timeline for preparing to be a student missionary:
October – December:
- Talk to other student missionaries who have returned
- Connect with the missions coordinator
- Begin the application process
- Register for Intro to Missions Class RELP-01 offered in the fall or spring
January – March:
- Your call will be finalized
- Your passport should be valid
- You should start fundraising (a fundraising letter will be provided)
- You should make sure your immunizations are up to date
April – June:
- Your application should be complete
- Your fundraising should be finished
- Your training will start (for missionaries headed to Micronesia)
Melissa Anderson
I served on the beautiful, Micronesian island of Kosrae during the 2016-2017 school year. I taught third and fourth grade, I basically never wore shoes, and I picked fruit straight off trees. I learned several important life lessons that year. The first one was, I am not anyone’s savior; I just need to love people regardless of my location. The second one was, I shouldn’t take myself so seriously; it’s totally OK to be laughed at. And the third one was, wear sunscreen, for real! That year was the best of my life to date because it involved so much growth, mainly achieved by discomfort, and I would go back a million times just to experience it again.
Matthew Hanson
I served as a student missionary on the island of Yap, Micronesia. Originally I planned on being a third-grade teacher, so you can imagine my surprise when I ended up teaching high school! I was so nervous as I prepared to serve as a student missionary, yet, my time as a student missionary gave me some of the best memories of my life! I personally believe that everyone should take a year or two to go and serve as a student missionary. Even if your experience is not the same as mine, being a student missionary prepares you in many aspects of life. Go now and serve!
Cecilia Cabrera
My time in Saipan was amazing—going there was the best decision I could have made after graduation! It was a time that God set apart to help me grow as a Christian and restart my relationship with Him. After a typhoon category five hit the island, teaching became harder, but God showed me through service, that even in adversity, He blesses. He showed me that His grace and love abound even in the tiniest speck in the ocean and that there’s a lot we still need to share.
Melissa Anderson
I served on the beautiful, Micronesian island of Kosrae during the 2016-2017 school year. I taught third and fourth grade, I basically never wore shoes, and I picked fruit straight off trees. I learned several important life lessons that year. The first one was, I am not anyone’s savior; I just need to love people regardless of my location. The second one was, I shouldn’t take myself so seriously; it’s totally OK to be laughed at. And the third one was, wear sunscreen, for real! That year was the best of my life to date because it involved so much growth, mainly achieved by discomfort, and I would go back a million times just to experience it again.
Matthew Hanson
I served as a student missionary on the island of Yap, Micronesia. Originally I planned on being a third-grade teacher, so you can imagine my surprise when I ended up teaching high school! I was so nervous as I prepared to serve as a student missionary, yet, my time as a student missionary gave me some of the best memories of my life! I personally believe that everyone should take a year or two to go and serve as a student missionary. Even if your experience is not the same as mine, being a student missionary prepares you in many aspects of life. Go now and serve!
Cecilia Cabrera
My time in Saipan was amazing—going there was the best decision I could have made after graduation! It was a time that God set apart to help me grow as a Christian and restart my relationship with Him. After a typhoon category five hit the island, teaching became harder, but God showed me through service, that even in adversity, He blesses. He showed me that His grace and love abound even in the tiniest speck in the ocean and that there’s a lot we still need to share.
Take the Step
There is no doubt that God is calling each of us to be missionaries. Where is God calling you to go? The first step in becoming a missionary is to pray about it. Pray that God will open the door that is right for you! Browse these calls and pray about your right place.