Students bring 'Hands On' service to Prague

Daniel Anderson, Whitney Beach and Caleb Godfrey arrived in Prague, Czech Republic, two weeks ago not sure of what to expect, but ready for an adventure. They are volunteers with Hands On, a program through the Southern Baptist Convention geared at involving college students in missions at a grass-roots level. These three didn’t know each other before meeting in Europe, but have quickly bonded in their hearts for the lost and a shared undertaking.

The work

The volunteers are working with the Prague Megacity Team; Daniel and Caleb are creating a video promoting ongoing work and opportunities for missions in Prague, while Whitney is teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and working with students. Though their jobs are defined, they are open to additional ministry opportunities that are numerous.

Already, these young missionaries are teaching English and sharing Christ at an English club for kids; Whitney is involved in Youth Praha, a Christian international youth group, Caleb is helping maintain computers at the local missionary administrative office, and he and Daniel participate in a small group Bible study for students.

“I thought my only job would be filming and making videos–man, was I wrong,” Caleb said. “In a normal week–if there is one of those–I will go to a couple of Bible studies where Czech is the predominant language, do I.T. work, repair PCs, teach ESL, and of course film videos. Filming is still our main objective, but there are so many other amazing opportunities!”

The volunteers

Caleb was drawn to Hands On because it is “real” mission work that spans a semester instead of just a week. As he perused the program’s Web site, he saw an opportunity with Audio/Visual ministry and was instantly intrigued. After a few weeks of prayer and counsel and a blessing from his parents, Caleb signed up.

Daniel accepted God’s call to missions in junior high school. Though he had never heard of Prague before looking into Hands On, the need for media ministry perfectly suited him as a Communications major. The fact that this opportunity would give him a unique way to get an education was exciting.

“I have never really enjoyed the school environment, so I was looking for a way to change it up,” said Daniel, who is earning college credit through his semester in Prague. “My ministry here will show people what is going on and how they can also get involved personally and join us, rather than just send money for missions.”

Whitney served as a volunteer in Prague last summer and decided then to return with Hands On. She believes missions is not a suggestion, but a commandment, and is eager to see God use and teach her this semester.

“One thing I hope to gain is a greater understanding of what is involved in international missions and what it means to be a missionary in a foreign country,” she said. “I know I will learn a lot just by working and serving with full-time missionaries.”

All three of these young visionaries are looking for opportunities to serve and share Christ. Caleb poignantly expresses their desire for this semester.

“Pray for God to do an amazing work through the believers in Prague that would spread like wildfire unto the uttermost parts of the world,” he said. “All it takes is a few faithful followers with a revolutionary truth to shake the world!”

Track what God is doing in Prague this semester through these Hands On volunteers by following Caleb and Daniel’s blogs.

Posted by Karen Pearce on Feb 4, 2009

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