Baylor Multidisciplinary Mission Team Serves with Churches and Businesses in Athens, Greece over Spring Break
Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-710-6275
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WACO, Texas (March 22, 2018) – For the second year, a multidisciplinary team of Baylor University students in journalism, social work and business served in Athens, Greece, to help provide relief and education to refugees, bring awareness to their stories and build relationships with those in need.
"After being a member of the Greece team for two years, I have become emotionally attached to the trip," said Morgan London, a senior journalism major and leader of the public relations team. "I established friendships with the Greek partners, and it is incredible to see the impact of the work done over the span of a year or two. You learn what works and what doesn't and ultimately grow a unique skill set of combining a career with faith. It was a mission trip that allowed me to use my public relations skills to serve the Lord and create a lasting impact."
London was responsible for sending daily news letters out to a mailing list, pitching stories and social media posts to outlets and creating communications plans and social media guides for nonprofits. The journalism team worked on a project that aimed to change Westerners' view of refugees from nameless people in need to individuals striving for better lives.
In addition to journalism students, team members from the Hankamer School of Business and the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work also served closely among locals and refugees.
Team members worked with two local church planters to aid in the creation of Plaus, a cultural center founded on Christian values. It was here that they brainstormed and determined an effective business plan to achieve the goals of the business. They also worked with Integration House, a co-op hostel, to find and create jobs for refugees that both match the skills of the refugees and serve the local community.
"This is my third time working with refugees in Greece since 2015, so I have had a unique opportunity to see refugees arriving to Greek islands, living in camps and apartments and now integrating into Greek society," said Lindsay Belus, a master's candidate in social work. "Today we were able to interview many refugee families and Greek business owners to discuss their aspirations and job opportunities in the area. It is exciting to get to partner with refugees and business owners and explore the variety of ways that refugees can contribute to the Greek community."
Another team, the BluPrint team, located in Glyfada, created a framework for the organization to grow entrepreneurial ideas into business ventures. They consulted with six businesses to provide solutions and research guidance.
"Working with BluPrint has challenged my thoughts on both business and missions," said Zach Morrow, a senior finance and entrepreneurship and corporate innovation major. "I grew up in the mission field and am graduating with a business degree, but never made the connection of business as mission in my studies. This paradigm shift has ignited a passion and desire to serve in all I do, especially in business. I want to live for others, not myself."
This team worked closely with Greek and refugee businesses to provide consultation and leadership. Students made personalized business recommendations based on interviews with the owners, using their Baylor studies in accounting, finance and entrepreneurship.
"I learned that even when people had so little resources and were going through financial hardships, they still had dreams of running or starting their own businesses," said Ray Luc, a junior accounting major. "They have hope in each other and hope in Greece. I also learned that God can use businesses as a form of service to Him and through that service people can hear about God and learn about what it means to be a humble servant."
For more information about the trip, visit the Baylor Missions website.
by Brooke Battersby, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business provides a rigorous academic experience, consisting of classroom and hands-on learning, guided by Christian commitment and a global perspective. Recognized nationally for several programs, including Entrepreneurship and Accounting, the school offers 24 undergraduate and 13 graduate areas of study. Visit www.baylor.edu/business and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/Baylor_Business.
ABOUT THE DIANA R. GARLAND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Baylor University's Diana R. Garland School of Social Work is home to one of the leading graduate social work programs in the nation with a research agenda focused on the integration of faith and practice. Upholding its mission of preparing social workers in a Christian context for worldwide service and leadership, the School offers a baccalaureate degree (B.S.W.), a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree and three joint-degree options, M.S.W./M.B.A., M.S.W./M.Div. and M.S.W./M.T.S., through a partnership with Baylor's Hankamer School of Business and George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. program. Visit www.baylor.edu/social_work to learn more.
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The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University's oldest and largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments and seven academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. Faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit www.baylor.edu/artsandsciences.