Three athletic teams serve overseas during summer

Service projects have long been a part of the Northwestern experience, and the athletic department has been sending teams on mission trips for several years as part of that emphasis. This summer, though, a new record was set when three Northwestern teams went overseas to spread the gospel and serve others in the name of Christ.

The volleyball team traveled to Brazil in May and June under the auspices of the Orphanos Foundation. The student-athletes conducted volleyball camps, scrimmaged against local teams, and worked with children at Lar Batista Biblico, an orphanage.

The women’s soccer team spent 10 days in July in San José, Costa Rica, assisting the Nazarene Church’s Work and Witness ministry. The women hosted a four-day youth soccer clinic, worked on building projects and performed grounds work at a seminary, and played matches against four professional teams.

The wrestling team ministered through Christian Outreach International in the Czech Republic for two weeks in June. The wrestlers practiced and competed with three area clubs and worked with youth at schools, after-school programs and an orphanage.

Next summer, the football team will be ministering for 12 days in northern Italy, Switzerland and Austria.