This young reporter got "swept up" in the action at DestiNATIONS

By Brittany Jarvis

(Brittany Jarvis, 21, a staff writer for the International Mission Board, shares this personal reflection about her experience at the DestiNATIONS mission conference.)

DALLAS-More than 2,700 college students and campus ministers gathered in downtown Dallas for DestiNATIONS, a recent mission conference. For several days students participated in mission projects, learned from missionaries and explored available positions on the mission field.

I was there to give an "objective" report on the students' activities, but I quickly found myself swept up in their excitement to make an impact on their world.

As a recent college graduate, I felt like I blended in with the crowd, except for my ever-present tape recorder and pen. There was the typical mixture of students: some with multiple body piercings and wiry goatees, others wearing trendy brand-name clothes or sports attire.

But as I saw students break into tears during missionaries' testimonies and frantically make lists of available mission positions, I realized I was among an entirely new breed of college students.

These students see their world for what it is, with all its pain, evil and sorrow. But they are making practical efforts to influence its future. Even during the conference students picked up trash in apartment complexes and played host to block parties in Dallas' low-income housing areas. I saw 6-foot-2-inch guys stoop to hug kids and young ladies take joy in collecting garbage.

No attitudes, no arrogance, no pretense.

Interview after interview revealed that these students were serious about making a difference.

The nightly worship services were energetic and sincere. The speakers presented spiritually challenging and emotional messages. And students realized that the creative energy and technical savvy they possess can be used to spread the gospel to the "uttermost part of the earth."

This generation may not look or sound like any generation that has come before. They may use crazy and daring methods to achieve their goals. And they may radically change the structure of churches and Christianity throughout the world.

But they are the future of the church and our future missionaries. And they are committed to fulfilling the Great Commission, regardless of the cost.

Talk to Brittany directly at bjarvis@imb.org or post your comments at Your forum.

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