In Monday’s chapel, Chris Fletcher, director of mobilization at Handi*Vangelism Ministries, shared his life experience and ministry. Capitalizing on Cairn’s name choice, Chris took time to connect the purpose of ministry with the purpose of cairns. Many cultures throughout history have utilized cairns to represent significant moments of time, honor individuals who gave their lives in battle, or point travelers in the right direction. While it’s easy to think of “God momentsâ€� as the obvious, awe-inspiring moments of clarity, Chris reminded students that cairns can be the small, seemingly insignificant moments. “Who knows how many ‘God moments’ we go through every day. . .  we need to be cairns pointing to the things God has done.â€� Our role, whether in or outside of traditional “ministryâ€� is to point individuals to Christ through the actions and responses to the everyday.

Throughout the week, World Reach Week also included the beloved World Feast, hosted by MuKappa in Heritage Hall on Monday evening. Students prepared food from their home countries to share with their fellow students. Wednesday saw the inaugural World Reach Week academic chapels. Students, divided into groups by their respective schools, heard from a panel of missionary representatives about missions in their discipline. 

On Friday, Dr. Susan Post, chief executive officer of Esperanza Health Center, closed out the World Reach Week chapels. Dr. Post shared how poverty impacts health in a variety of ways and how Esperanza aims to provide physically, emotionally, and spiritually for people in poverty. She talked to students about what it means to have Christlike compassion for those in need by looking at people through God’s eyes. Dr. Post also invited two of her colleagues to share their experiences, including a Cairn alumna. 

You can listen to this semester’s World Reach Week Chapels here.

Christian shared with students his struggles returning disabled from a controversial war. After recovering  from his injuries, he decided to attend law school to advocate for veterans like himself. His efforts took him all the way to the White House, where he spoke with President Jimmy Carter on veteran affairs. This path came with more sacrifices when he was fired from his job, and his new job working for the Ronald Raegan administration often took him away from his family. Through his new position, however, Christian was able to influence legislators and politicians for the benefit of veterans. 

As he reflected on his own life and the lessons he learned in leadership, international affairs, and suffering, Christian motivated students to stand firm in their convictions, and to be prepared for the repercussions that may come. “You are tomorrow’s leaders,â€� he said. “You want to go and change the world? Then try, and if you do so, do your best job.â€�