University News

HIU Students and Staff Partner with Amor Ministries at Inaugural "Global Gathering"

Posted: January 20, 2015



Emerging International Leaders Challenged “To Go Boldly Into the World and Disrupt!”

In early January, a group of Hope International University students and staff members traveled to the Yucatan Peninsula to participate in Amor Ministries’ inaugural “Global Gathering.” The Global Gathering was created to provide a forum for concerned students and emerging leaders to think, discuss, and create justice. More than 170 people from 11 countries participated in this week-long conference and outreach.

The 2015 Global Gathering focused on four initiatives:

  • To educate, encourage, and empower young adults to tackle global issues of poverty, human trafficking, and sustainable technology
  • To facilitate the collaboration of international students and renowned speakers to develop holistic lifestyles under the Lordship of Jesus
  • To partner with local pastors and community leaders in creating transformational communities
  • To build homes for five families in need

Amor Ministries brought in an international leadership team to lead the conference sessions. In addition to being challenged by renowned speakers “to go boldly into the world and disrupt,” participants raised $15,000 for a new church building project, completed construction on five new homes and ministered alongside local pastors and community leaders. Global Gathering attendees also had the option to enroll in a 3-credit HIU course, “Righteousness and Justice in Context,” in conjunction with Hope’s School of Advanced Leadership (SALT).

“Our students were phenomenal! Many of the Global Gathering leaders commended their servant leadership. Spending a week with them really encouraged me about the future!” remarked Bryan Sands, HIU’s Director of Campus Ministries.

Founded in 1980 by Scott Congdon and his wife Gayla (who is an HIU alumna), Amor Ministries has been dedicated to demonstrating God’s love through simple, tangible acts of service. Amor continually brings people together to provide transformational experiences that manifest the justice, kindness, and humility of Jesus Christ.