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TARGET HARVEST CAMPUS 2 CAMPUS MISSION PROJECTS After reading the tips below, scroll down and see the three types of projects available to you.
Ø Important Tips for doing campus outreach in Mexico v Mexican students have similar characteristics of their North American counterparts. They are enthusiastic, idealistic (be careful when discussing politics!), style conscious, hoping to move up the ladder socio-economically, and basically are very materialistic. v The intellectual atmosphere of the campuses draws out the atheist and agnostic just like in the US. v Marxism (socialism) still has its influence in/on most campuses, especially in the central and southern areas of the country. There is a strong separation of church and state. v The campuses are open to a point, but in most places are not receptive to religious activities. It is important to enter the campuses carefully, with a contact. On gated campuses, ID's are required and one may or may not be permitted to enter. v Much work can be done on the sidewalks and in the small restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses around the campuses. Even at nearby parks, it is possible to make contacts with the students. This is also possible on the campuses where we are allowed to walk in freely. v It is best to break into small groups of two to three. Go in at a certain time and meet back at the entrance at a predetermined time. The best work can be done from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 3:30 to 6:00 pm. The Mexican lunch schedule is generally in the range of 1:30-3:30 pm. v Sometimes it works out to get permission from the administration to go on the campus. They will even give a tour to an exchange group of any kind. v The main words to remember are "caution" and "courtesy". The Mexican student is more easily accessible relationally and will listen when conversation etc. is initiated slowly. Relational evangelism through the use of a door opener like a short questionnaire, or giving the something is the best approach. v Always have a flyer with contact information to leave with them. (address, telephone number, email, etc., or inviting them to your evening activities) Presenting things through music, drama and sports are especially effective or just walking around, sitting down in a garden area or cafeteria, etc. can be effective. v Do not make noise in or around the classrooms, as the teachers are very protective of their time. Always remember that you are the guests. YOUR PROJECT WILL BE GREATLY ENHANCED IF YOU ARE ABLE TO COME TO MEXICO WITH A SPANISH SPEAKER. This helps in sharing clearly the Gospel message. Many Mexican students know a little English, but often not enough to really discuss spiritual matters. Be on the lookout for Spanish speakers on your campus an in your community. (international students, someone in the local Baptist association, etc.) |
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| PROJECT ONE | project two | Project three |
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PRAYER WALK, GOSPEL SATURATION AND FOLLOW-UP |
CREATIVE AND RELATIONAL EVANGELISM |
CULTURAL, ACADEMIC AND SPORTS EXCHANGES |
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Purpose: § Prepare the campus to be receptive to the Gospel message § Put some form of Scripture in the hands of students § Cultivate personal relationships with receptive students with the purpose of sharing the gospel with them (There is proof that one of the key elements of major spiritual movements around the world is the "pre-evangelism" phase in which prayer and Scripture are shared with the target group, "softening" it up to the message of the gospel.) Objectives: Ø Prayer walk the perimeters of the targeted campus and individual schools on campus if permitted. Ø Share 5000 to 7,500 units of Scripture (Gospel of John or Mark, or evangelistic CD's) with students from the targeted campus. Ø Spend time with interested students developing friendships through which the gospel may be shared personally. Ø Collect personal contact information from students for further follow up. (see website under follow up contact information sheet)
To order BIBLES and GOSPELS* and other items (*whenever possible, please order a translation OTHER THAN the Reina-Valera)
TRACTS (can be used to accompany the Book of John) Contact ED GRAY in Puebla, Mexico to order and arrange for shipping: ekgraymex@hotmail.com
YOUR PROJECT WILL BE GREATLY ENHANCED IF YOU ARE ABLE TO COME TO MEXICO WITH A SPANISH SPEAKER. This helps in sharing clearly the Gospel message. Many Mexican students know a little English, but often not enough to really discuss spiritual matters. Be on the lookout for Spanish speakers on your campus an in your community. (international students, someone in the local Baptist association, etc.) |
Purpose:
Objectives:
Ø Initiate friendships with students through creative sharing (pantomime, music, art, etc). Ø Initiate friendships with students through sports activities such as pick-up games of basketball, volleyball, or soccer. Ø Working with the Mexican students, fill out at least 250 spiritual surveys, conversing with the students as they ask questions. Ø Obtain personal information for follow-up from the 250 surveys. Ø Have a gathering of all interested students with group on Thursday night, at which some testimonies will be shared.
DESCRIPTION OF SUGGESTED MINISTRIES
Pantomime:
Act out parables from the gospels through mime with a narrator reading the parable out loud from the Bible in Spanish.
(For amplification, something like a small Radio Shack battery-powered megaphone can be used.) Be sure to be far enough from classrooms to not cause a disturbance, or off campus. Try to keep away from busy streets, as the bus traffic will be very noisy.
After the event, ask the students to stay around and help the team members practice their Spanish. At this time, try to get as many surveys filled out as possible, not hurrying the students.
Sports:
Bring intramural level sports teams of guys or girls to play basketball, volleyball, soccer (if you're up to the challenge!), etc., and head to the sports area of the target campus.
Most schools will have large courts where the students play. Get up some games of the "gringos" against the Mexican students, or mixed teams, and have fun.
Keep the play low-key, a little competitive, but keep it friendly. Remember, your testimony is at stake here! The purpose is to make friends, not win the Olympics!
During breaks in the games, visit with the players and see if they want to fill out one of the surveys.
Members of the team that aren't playing should use the time to talk with onlookers, also asking them to fill out the surveys.
Evenings:
Look for gathering places for students and just sit and talk with people. You might want to invite them to practice their English at these times. If so, have some flyers to give out during the day saying where you will be and the times.
Final Gathering:
Follow the directions for this gathering found in Project One, Thursday evening. This can be a closure event, with students from both sides sharing thoughts about the week.
Don't let the time get "preachy", stay informal and share in an appropriate way for seekers to understand
YOUR PROJECT WILL BE GREATLY ENHANCED IF YOU ARE ABLE TO COME TO MEXICO WITH A SPANISH SPEAKER. This helps in sharing clearly the Gospel message. Many Mexican students know a little English, but often not enough to really discuss spiritual matters. Be on the lookout for Spanish speakers on your campus an in your community. (international students, someone in the local Baptist association, etc.)
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Purpose:
This type of project requires extensive and careful coordination with high level persons in the administration of the target campus. The campus director should be culturally aware and as knowledgeable as possible in the area of interchanges. These projects can have great results when approached in a professional manner.As the exchange develops, be prepared to receive exchange participants on your end also. This will then be a true exchange program. This could be a wonderful way of reaching Mexican students and teachers on your own turf! Professorial exchange: Invite Christian professors from your university to present conferences on their field of study at the target campus. (example: GA Tech with Monterrey Tech, professors in engineering fields, computers, architecture, and business). Any professor who could do a semester exchange would be extremely helpful, especially English teachers, and Fine Arts.
Sports exchange: Men or Women's teams For a sports exchange, the level of proficiency should be at least Jr. College level, in order to compete at the level of play in Mexican universities. If the level of interchange is intramural, make sure that this is understood. The most common sports would be basketball, American football, volleyball, baseball, and soccer (you had better be good!). Also in this area, sports clinics are beneficial for all sports. Christian coaches and trainers are well received. Sports medicine, athletic training and cheerleading are other options. After the first exchanges, it may be possible to help the school procure equipment for sports, especially American football. These are just first suggestions. Other areas will come up, so be prepared!
Fine Arts exchange:
Music: High quality soloists, symphonic bands, orchestras and choirs will always draw large crowds and open many doors. For campus situations, the repertoire should be varied; some Christian pieces might be performed, but a wide variety of music needs to be presented. For choirs, at least 30 to 40% percent of the concert should be in Spanish, or programs with the translations of the pieces should be provided.
Art: Exhibits with some Christian themes or workshops for art students would work well.
Drama and Dance: Acting and performance are very important parts of the culture; workshops and performances would work well.
English as a Second Language (ESL): Native English speaker to assist language school classes, etc. This ministry is always a door opener, and is effective in time periods from a week to a semester or even a year. Church and state separation is very strong in Mexico and not much sharing can be done in class, but there are many opportunities to share with students after class or off campus. Conversational English is very good, as well as preparing students to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), which they must pass to do graduate work in the US. Arrangements for all these exchanges need to be made administration to administration or teacher to teacher. The exchange needs to be made official at some point. Again, because of the strong separation of church and state on Mexican campuses, bringing in being "Christian" or Baptist needs to come in further down the line. We do not want the administration to feel that we are "proselytizing" on their campus. The exchanges are professional platforms to enable the sharing of the gospel at a later time.
YOUR PROJECT WILL BE GREATLY ENHANCED IF YOU ARE ABLE TO COME TO MEXICO WITH A SPANISH SPEAKER. This helps in sharing clearly the Gospel message. Many Mexican students know a little English, but often not enough to really discuss spiritual matters. Be on the lookout for Spanish speakers on your campus an in your community. (international students, someone in the local Baptist association, etc.) |
