ACU Students have impacted more than 100 different locations throughout the United States and the world through Spring Break Campaigns in the past three years.
Each year, about 500 students participate, making these campaigns one of the most popular activities on campus.
ACU Spring Break Campaigns represent an active response to the Great Commission and benefit communities around the nation and globe, students and the university.
In 1976, a student committee developed the idea of sending students out for service during spring break. Steve Green and Max Lucado both class of 1977, led the first SBC to Iowa in 1977. This began a celebrated tradition – a tradition now requiring a lottery system for sign-ups because of such high interest and student involvement.
SBCs represent one of the most simple and undervalued aspects of Christian ministry-the drive to serve others through kind acts and open hearts. Our lives are our platform for ministry and worship to God. We don’t need to be preached at or given a Sunday school lesson to reap the benefits of ministry. Campaigns provide a huge outlet for service and the construction of a vibrant community of believers.
Katie Noah, senior English major from Midland, went on a SBC to Boston last year.
“It is good for students to get out the Bible Belt and see how church is done when there isn’t a church on every corner,” she said. “Sometimes we get so insulated in Abilene and have the ability to slip in and out of churches. People in other parts of the country have to work really hard to be at church, and cherish the time they spend together. Campaigns allow students and our university to be connected to so many places and does incredible things to promote the community of God.”
Beyond serving others, campaigns provide an opportunity for students to meet each other and share experiences that go beyond Welcome Week or involvement in on-campus activities.
Through campaigns, students are given the chance to form spiritual relationships with like-minded peers working for the same goals. The situations that students are typically exposed to during campaigns carry a level of intensity and focus that require strong, lasting relationships – ones that are built and nurtured before, during and after the campaigns.
Many students say the campaigns have drastically changed the way they view the world and their role in it as Christians.
Through Spring Break Campaigns, students can get a rare glimpse of ministry opportunities around the country and even the world, and bring those expereinces back to enrich the lives of others at ACU.
Spring Break Campaigns are celebrating their 30th year next week, and with that anniversary comes the recognition of the influence these ministries have on students, those they are ministering to and the university community.
ACU has long had a commitment to changing the world, and SBCs are a unique chance to do so in a tangible way.
