Are you ready to serve?
Many Union Adventist University students choose to take a gap year away from campus to continue their educations in strikingly different contexts, exploring both what it means to serve and lead. Wherever you go, whatever you find to do, international volunteers and task force workers share two traits when they return: they've learned to see the world differently, and they understand themselves more deeply.
Application process
Pick up and turn in a pre-application in Campus Ministries (located on the lower level of the Atrium of the Don Love Building). We will contact you and coach you through the rest of the application process from there. Contact the international volunteer directors if you have any questions.
Who can volunteer?
- You must be a baptized member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (this applies to all calls through the General Conference)
- You must be a mature adult, able to handle responsibility and be adaptable, flexible, and open-minded.
- You must past screening with the Deans' Council and Student Missions Committee.
- It is important that you have a growing, stable relationship with God. Keep in mind that we know that no person is perfect in their walk with Christ, but being an volunteer is not a good place to go to FIND God but it's a great place go to build your growing relationship with Him that already exists.
Do I get to choose my location?
Yes, you have the option to choose from hundreds of volunteer positions that are available.
What kinds of opportunities are available?
- Teaching
- Serving in an orphanage
- Church planting
- Women’s or men’s dean
- Construction worker
- Youth chaplain or youth pastor
- Medical missions
- Lay evangelism
- Many more …
Can I be a volunteer in the United States or Canada?
Yes, there are opportunities right here at home. They are referred to as “task force” workers. The application process is the same, but there is no fundraising for TF positions.
How do I find the locations for missions opportunities?
Listed below are several websites that post mission opportunities. Due to liability issues and concern for your well-being, your mission location must meet our specific guidelines. If not listed below, please contact us to see if it will qualify:
- GC Volunteer Site: www.hesaidgo.net
- Adventist Frontier Missions: www.afmonline.org
- Outpost Centers International: www.outpostcenters.org
- Vivid Faith: vividfaith.com
What do I do when I find a place I want to serve?
Pray.
Go to the application process link and follow those instructions.
How much does it cost to be a volunteer?
Each volunteer is required to raise $4,000 for most calls through the General Conference. Some GC calls that come from organizations with special needs, other organizations, like AFM, are more expensive. We can give you more specific details in Campus Ministries.
What kind of training is involved?
Yes, every volunteer is required to go through orientation. There are two options for completing this.
- Union offers an orientation class second semester or
- Complete an online course through www.hesaidgo.net.
What if I have loans that need to be deferred?
If you go through our screening process and are accepted as a Union College volunteer, you will receive academic credit which keeps your loans deferred while you are gone.
What about health insurance?
Secondary insurance is provided by the calling organization or purchased through the General Conference by the volunteer.
More questions? Come see the chaplain or email missions@ucollege.edu.
Current volunteers 2022-2023
International
- Noah Gallant - Pohnpei, Micronesia
- Jinelle Gallen - Pohnpei, Micronesia
- Jonah Zwiefel - Bolivia
Task Force
- Markus Toppenberg - Mt. Ellis Academy, Montana
Former Volunteers
In an attempt to keep an accurate list of international volunteers who have gone out from Union College, we have compiled a list of everyone we know who has served overseas during their Union experience. If you find a mistake or omission please contact us.