As a child that grew up in Hartford City, Indiana, I would’ve never dreamed that I would get to meet people from all over the world. In various church ministry settings, I have known people from a few different counties, but it wasn’t until I started working at the Spencer Center for Global Engagement office at Taylor University that I got to experience a greater impact with people from around the globe.
My boss, Dr. Dan Darko, was originally from Ghana. He has lived and taught in several countries and has a wealth of knowledge. He taught me so much about Cultural Intelligence and International Diplomacy while we worked together.
Within our office suite were the China and Korea Initiatives which worked with students to help them better acclimate at Taylor as well as recruit students to Taylor. I’ve assisted Dr. Chang with the J-term and Summer Prospect Camps, getting to know students personally from Korea, Japan, China, Ireland, Brazil and Ecuador and having the opportunity to speak into their lives.
I processed J-1 work visas, bringing to campus Koreans that teach Korean classes and culture at Taylor. Our Graduate Assistant is also from Ghana. Knowing they have no family here in the US, we have grown close. I love that about Taylor—that faculty and staff host international students in their homes during breaks and holidays to give them a sense of family while they are here.
Working with Off-Campus semester and J-term programs, I’ve gotten to interface with people from all over the world such as Lithuania, Uganda, Ireland, Ecuador, Spain, and South Korea to name a few. Dr. Darko and I also hosted international dinners and conversations with school partners from various parts of Africa, Brazil, Congo, Ecuador, Ireland, and South Korea. I got to purchase and present gifts to these partners on behalf of Taylor. It was an incredible experience to share food and fellowship with believers from all over the world and hear how God is using each one to make a difference where they are.
It is an honor to be a staff member helping to lead the students at Taylor. Whether I’m leading the alto section of the Taylor Community Gospel Choir, singing at Mosaic Night, or attending chapel with my international friends, I love seeing how so many cultures are present in one place and with one purpose—to learn to be a greater blessing for the kingdom of God.
I no longer work in the global engagement office, but I get to take what I’ve learned and my love for all people to the Communication Department at Taylor. The most rewarding part of my day is when I get to interact with students. Whether it’s helping them navigate the printer so they can turn in an assignment on time, cook and serve at Empty Bowls, or simply have a conversation in the hallway, I love all of our students. It’s why I come to work every day—to make a positive impact on their lives and encourage them to live for Jesus.
My life and world view have been forever changed by sitting at an office desk at Taylor, interacting with the people He puts in my path. Whether it’s undergraduate, masters, or graduate students, a colleague from a distant land or just around the corner, our hearts have been brought together for such a time as this by our love for Jesus. It is my prayer that God would continue to use us every day to make an eternal impact in the lives of others from our little corner of the world!
