When most people think about missions, they see it as a long-term commitment that often benefits the communities being served. However, this perspective changes when you talk to a PBA alumni who has been on one of the institution’s mission trips.
“Missions shaped my perspective of what it means to have a lot or be wealthy,” says Shelby Burns, Class of 2013. “It also gave me a heart to pursue the vocation God had for me.”
Her response is a common theme among many alumni.
For 25 years, PBA’s CMGlobal, the Center for Missions, has sent students worldwide on mission, allowing them to encounter new cultures and, even more so, experience the power of faith to transform lives. For the students, their lives are forever changed. Alumni share how these trips change the way they see life, shape their careers and deepen their faith. Many choose to go back on mission after their first experience.
Mark Kaprive, director of CMGlobal, first joined PBA 25 years ago as the mission’s program was just beginning to take shape. He says a lot has been done over the years to improve the process, training and partnership.
“When I came, they were only sending out four or five teams,” Kaprive recalls. “It was not nearly as extensive as what we do now.”
Today, the missions done through the center have expanded with 75 field partners who help provide service trips abroad. Some destinations include Brazil, Peru, Cambodia, Finland, Greece, South Africa, Haiti and parts of Asia. CMGlobal has completed 339 mission trips with more than 3,500 students participating in trips to over 60 countries.
The selection process for participating in CMGlobal’s missions is rigorous. Students apply through a student leadership application, and those selected undergo extensive training and mentoring. This training framework has been a key to its success, ensuring that students are not only prepared for the trip, but also equipped to integrate those experiences into their daily lives when they return.
“Our core team acts as the backbone of our mission efforts, guiding every step from prayerful partner selection to hands-on team preparations. They’re not just organizers; they’re mentors committed to turning each mission into a transformative journey for every participant,” says Kaprive.
The team organizes events like the Global Emphasis Week, being celebrated this year from October 7 to 11, which brings in special speakers to enhance mission awareness. Each coordinator is responsible for guiding a set of co-leaders and may also participate in the trips themselves. Their commitment includes blocking off several hours weekly for meetings and conducting regular training sessions for the co-leaders. This structured approach ensures that all participants are well-prepared and aligned with the mission’s objectives.
From Curiosity to Conversion: Thais Prandy-Yancy
For Thais Prandy-Yancy, who enrolled in PBA in 2001, CMGlobal not only changed her life but also brought her to faith. Thais, who initially hesitated to attend PBA because of its Christ-first approach to education, had a love for travel which led her to join one of the trips to Asia.
“I joined the trip because I wanted to see the [major attraction],” Thais recalls. “But what I found was much more than a famous landmark. It was on that trip that Christ revealed Himself to me.”
Upon returning to the U.S., Thais, who was also a volleyball player for PBA, was unsure how to reconcile her old life with the changes she was experiencing. Over time, with the continued support of her teammates and the CMGlobal community, she grew in her faith and even went on to lead several more mission trips, including one in her home country of Brazil.
“My trip to Brazil was the first time my family saw me with Jesus in my life,” she shares. “It was difficult, but it was also an opportunity to witness to them.”
The Power of Witness: Shelby Burns
Another CMGlobal participant was Shelby Burns, who graduated from PBA in 2013, majoring in political science. Raised in a Christian family, Shelby had always known about faith, but her first mission trip to Rio de Janeiro was a turning point.
“I thought missions were just paid vacations,” she admits. But the reality of what she encountered in the favelas of Rio was far different. “Seeing people living in extreme poverty but still filled with joy and worshipping Jesus blew my mind. It made me realize that faith in Jesus is real and transcends poverty, illness, or life circumstances.”
The trip led her to surrender her life to Jesus, she says. Following this transformation, she led several more mission trips, including trips to Asia and South America. Today, Shelby continues to feel a deep conviction for the people she met during her time with CMGlobal. This November, she is returning to Asia for the seventh time, reconnecting with the communities and continuing her ministry there.
Now a lawyer working in immigration court, she uses her legal skills to help the vulnerable, guided by the lessons she learned in the mission field.
Eye-Opening Encounters
For many students, their first mission trip with CMGlobal is a life-altering experience. Taylor Kaprive, a 2014 business graduate, participated in two trips to South Asia. His trips exposed him to different cultural backgrounds and unique ways of following Jesus.
“I think one of the biggest things I learned was empathy. It’s easy to see someone who’s different and put up a wall. But when you interact with them face-to-face, you realize that we’re all very similar, struggling with the same things and desiring the same things,” Taylor explains.
This newfound empathy had a lasting effect on how he sees mission. “I now support others who are going overseas, whether through financial contributions or prayer. It’s a way to stay connected to the work that’s happening globally.”
If you are considering joining a mission trip through CMGlobal, the advice from these alumni is clear: go. As Shelby puts it, “Prioritize going on a mission trip above anything else. It will change your life.”
To learn more about CMGlobal, click here.
