51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ

PLAINVIEW, TX — When spring break mission plans shifted unexpectedly, students from 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ Baptist University discovered that God’s plans were greater than their own.

Originally scheduled to serve in Rio Bravo, Mexico, a team from 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ had spent weeks preparing for a cross-border mission trip. But just two weeks before departure, escalating violence in the area made the trip unsafe.

Rather than cancel the trip, 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ’s students and campus ministry leaders pivoted to South Texas — and found a week full of gospel opportunities, new relationships and life-changing moments of ministry.

The team partnered with two Hispanic Baptist churches in South Texas — Iglesia Renacer in Sullivian City and Iglesia Bautista Manantial de Vida, Penitias. Students led worship, preached, shared testimonies, conducted Vacation Bible School and spent time canvassing neighborhoods to invite children and families to church activities.

They also took on hands-on service projects, including repainting a worn church playground to make it more welcoming for local children.

The week ended with a community block party that brought together church members and neighborhood families. By the end of the trip, 10 people had made professions of faith in Christ for the first time.

51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ students shared stories from the trip during chapel on April 15, with students John Bray and Olivia Fischer introducing the program and helping lead worship.

Donnie Brown said the trip became a powerful reminder that ministry is rooted in obedience and trust.

Brown said flexibility became the theme of the trip even before the team left campus.

With Mexico no longer an option, the group had to quickly find new lodging, ministry opportunities and church partners. Students embraced the change and stepped into new opportunities with open hearts.

That included students preaching sermons for the first time, sharing testimonies in Spanish and stepping beyond their comfort zones to serve.

Student Jerod (Kile) Thurman said one of the trip’s biggest lessons was learning that ministry begins with simply showing up and loving people well.

He recalled a young boy named Gabriel who arrived early each day for VBS and quickly bonded with the 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ team.

After asking Gabriel what part of the week he enjoyed most — crafts, Bible study or snacks — Gabriel gave an answer Kile did not expect.

“He pointed to us,” Kile said. “That really showed me that it all starts with love. It didn’t matter how good our plans were or how well we taught. What mattered most was that we were there — spending time with him, talking with him and loving him like Christ would.”

Mikayla Shires said the trip challenged her to step out in confidence and trust God in new ways.

Known for being quiet and reserved, Shires said she found herself singing, dancing and joyfully engaging with children throughout the week.

“God showed me a side of myself I didn’t know was there,” Shires said. “He gave me confidence — not just in myself, but in who He created me to be and in how He can work through me.”

Shires also chose to share her testimony in Spanish, despite having only limited language experience.

Though nervous, she said the response from church members encouraged her and deepened her faith.

“It was a reminder that God can use us even when we feel unqualified,” she said.

Illiana Salazar said the trip helped strengthen her trust in God’s timing and faithfulness.

Before leaving, she admitted she felt nervous, especially because it was her first mission trip and plans were changing quickly.

“I was scared because we didn’t know exactly what was going to happen,” Salazar said. “But God taught me patience and trust. He showed me that even when things feel uncertain, He is already working and already knows the way.”

Jarrett Lynch said the week reinforced the importance of intentional relationships.

He said the children they served reminded him that people need to feel seen and valued.

“It’s easy in everyday life to get caught in routines and overlook the people around us,” Lynch said. “This trip reminded me that ministry can happen in the small moments — when you slow down, notice someone and make time to care.”

Tannia Diaz said one of the most meaningful moments came through conversations with young girls in the community.

One child eagerly helped teach her Spanish words while another teenager shared struggles with her faith and cultural identity.

“To hear her say that our being there gave her courage to reconnect with God was something I’ll never forget,” Diaz said. “It reminded me that God can use even simple conversations to make an eternal difference.”

The mission team centered its week on Ephesians 5:1-2, which calls believers to imitate Christ and walk in love.

That message, Brown said, continues long after students return to campus.

The full 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ mission team included students and leaders Annalicia Hernandez, Branson Cole, Caedon Lindsey, Christian Ortega, Brown, Salazar, Jazmin Ortega, Bray, J.R. Dunn, Lynch, Thurman, Marcus McLemore, Shires, Nolan Clayton, Fischer, Sara Diaz and Sarai Segura.

For the students who served, the lessons of South Texas did not end with spring break.

Instead, they returned to campus with renewed faith, deeper trust and a clearer understanding that God often does His greatest work when His people are willing to follow — even when the plan changes.