NW Valley Times

Business management senior and Missions team head leader Elle Mowbray spoke to students about mission opportunities during a Welcome Week open house at Grand Canyon University (GCU). Mowbray recounted her experiences in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, where she informed residents about local medical clinics.

“That was the most rewarding part of the whole trip,” said Mowbray. “It was such a full-circle moment of God bringing His people back, and He knew where they needed to be.”

The open house aimed to introduce new students to short- or long-term missionary opportunities worldwide. As GCU celebrates its 75th anniversary, it continues to emphasize producing global citizen leaders.

In July, 16 students and university leaders visited Israel for service projects and educational tours. Mowbray emphasized the significance of these opportunities: “I think the opportunities that GCU gives their students to go fulfill God’s call to preach to nations is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted.”

Nursing senior Erin Ball shared her experiences from medical mission trips to Nicaragua. “It’s so much more accessible than students may think,” Ball said.

Mowbray and three fellow team leaders presented a slideshow featuring over two dozen groups connected with GCU that facilitate global missionary work. Global Outreach Manager Njenga Maina participated in a question-and-answer session.

Freshman Larissa Mero expressed her interest in long-term missions after serving on a 10-day mission trip to Ecuador with her church. Senior nursing major Erin Ball has combined her medical skills with mission work in Nicaragua through Students International.

“The biggest thing was going because of the calling the Lord put on my heart,” Ball stated.

Mowbray recalled feeling hindered by age and finances but found clarity during her freshman year at GCU through campus ministry events. Her first mission trip with Global Outreach to Costa Rica left a lasting impression: “the best week of my life.”

Students interested in missions can attend the Global Outreach Missions Fair on Sept. 30 at the Promenade following Chapel.

GCU News Senior Writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]

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