LCU students raise more than $10,000 for missions

[December 22, 2010]  Students in Lincoln Christian University's School of Undergraduate Studies set themselves an offering goal of $7,000 to give to missions during the fall 2010 semester. The mission that inspired them is called Rapha House, which is headquartered in Southeast Asia. Established in 2003 with hopes and prayers of delivering restoration and expanding globally, Rapha House's mission is to love, rescue and heal children who have been rescued from sexual exploitation and slavery.

LCU's team of Community Life students also had hopes and prayers for the Rapha House offering to become reality. By combining their determination and talents, six key students went above and beyond their call of duty as leaders by bringing their art, media, speaking and enthusiasm to the table. LCU junior Austin Gohn headed up the project and kept connections with Rapha House.

As Christian leaders on the LCU campus, the team prayed long and hard for a specific fundraising goal for the student body to aim for during the 2010 fall semester offerings.

"I was thinking $3,000; God was thinking something else,” says Gohn. “After prayer, I began to realize that $3,000 was not high enough and really felt like $7,000 would be a good goal. Seven thousand dollars was a goal that, if reached, would only be explainable by the involvement of the Holy Spirit in the process."

Rapha House became a huge burden on many hearts throughout campus. Knowing this, there was no doubt to aim high. Many thought this goal of $7,000 was too high, since this amount had never even been close to being collected before by undergraduate offerings.

The mission was introduced to the student body in August with everyone jumping on board. They were prepared to not only give, but to give with a willing and grateful heart and with a personal mission of being transformed.

"We set out to get students involved from the beginning,” Gohn said. “We built a miniature city out of cardboard in the Student Warehouse to display how much money had been raised and to serve as awareness and a reminder. We also made offering 'boxes' out of cardboard because we wanted to get away from offering trays.

"A Rapha House art show was also held on campus from the artwork of students during the Spooktacular Shindig in October. An all-campus 'White-Out for Rapha' was held in the fall. Most of campus participated by wearing white in this event as a reminder that through giving we participate in redemption. A team of business majors put on a dinner and art auction near Peoria. That semester-long project brought in over $3,000 for Rapha House.

"It is inspiring to see students using their skills and resources to not only bring in more money, but to also spread awareness of sex-trafficking.

"A Rapha House party was held at the end of the semester to celebrate how God had been faithful throughout the semester, with the students and with Rapha."

Alex Berger, a student at LCU Seminary, approached Gohn, asking how he could give to the undergraduate offering for Rapha House. As Gohn and Berger began talking, they realized that they were a part of a university, enhancing the idea of a unified offering.

Dr. Dinelle Frankland, professor of worship studies at the seminary, came onboard, bringing her insight and enthusiasm about offering. A seminary offering was held during their weekly chapel, truly bringing the university together for a unified cause.

By the end of the fall semester, Lincoln Christian University's undergraduate students raised over $10,000 for Rapha House.

"When we allow God to be faithful, he proves to be more than faithful," says Gohn.

Located in Lincoln, Lincoln Christian University is a Christian higher education community whose mission is to nurture and equip Christians with a biblical worldview to serve and lead in the church and the world. Its three schools educate over 1,000 adult, undergraduate, graduate and seminary students on-campus, on-site and online.

[Text from file received from Lincoln Christian University]