Northland International University has always had a strong emphasis on missions.The sun never sets on Northland alumni; they are scattered around the world, serving the Lord in many different fields. A good number of our sports mission trips have been to fields where our alumni are currently serving. It has been great for our current students to see our former students faithfully serving the Lord on the mission field.
Many of our faculty and staff have either full-time or short-term mission field experience. At Northland, the burden for worldwide evangelism is not only promoted by the Center for Global Opportunities, it permeates every department on campus, including the Athletic Department.
Scheduling athletic team mission trips is part of our sports ministry philosophy. These trips are an amazing tool for discipleship in the lives of our own student-athletes. Each mission trip has given us the opportunity to share the Gospel with hundreds of unsaved people. We have seen many salvation decisions and have made new contacts, creating much follow-up work for the missionaries. Most of these new contacts were a direct result of having our sports teams in their country.
Quote from Northland Alumnus, All-American Soccer Player, and Veteran Missionary, Dan Vallette – The Northland International University men’s soccer team made a positive impact in the lives of both Christian and non-Christian young people. They were a testimony of service and faithfulness to the Christian teens and a godly testimony to the unsaved teens. Our family personally benefited from the team. Our children are at an impressionable age, and these are the type of young men that we would choose to have as role models. I would encourage other young people to take advantage of the opportunity to visit a foreign mission field. During my time at Northland, I had the opportunity to travel as well and that had a lasting impact on my life. I am thankful that Northland encourages and supports sports-related missions trips. It has opened many doors and is a good tool for the furtherance of the work of the Gospel.
Mission Trips Taken by Northland International University Sports Teams
2010 Men’s Soccer – Uruguay
2009 Women’s Basketball – Dominican Republic
2008 Men’s and Women’s Volleyball – Costa Rica
2007 Women’s Soccer – Uruguay
2007 Men’s Basketball – Dominican Republic
2006 Men’s Soccer – Germany
2005 Men’s Soccer/Men’s Basketball – Zambia
2003 Men’s Soccer/Women’s Basketball – St. Vincent
2002 Women’s Volleyball – Brazil
2000 Men’s Soccer – Scotland
1999 Men’s Basketball – Brazil
1998 Men’s Soccer Team – Uruguay/Argentina
1996 Men’s Basketball Team – Canada/Alaska
1994 Men’s Basketball Team – Bahamas
1993 Men’s Soccer Team – Mexico
1992 Men’s Basketball Team – Bahamas
1991 Men’s Soccer Team – Mexico
1990 Men’s Soccer Team – Mexico