Southern Wesleyan University strives to expand our students’ horizons outward to understand the history and value of other peoples and cultures, preparing them for involvement in a complex and changing global community. We seek to offer opportunities that will challenge students to gain an increased cultural awareness and effectively serve Christ and His Kingdom in a global society. Study-away, study abroad, and missional service opportunities are a beneficial part of the SWU experience. For more information on global engagement, contact Christy Van Steenburg at

How do we want to engage the world?

Engage with others to fight against injustice, poverty, and darkness. According to Micah 6:8, we are called to to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God. As we seek to bring the light of Christ to the world, we remember that the gospel is not just words, but is love in action.

Engage with new friends and new cultures in new places. We believe that as our students, staff, and faculty engage with other cultures and people groups that we ourselves will also be changed for the better. Eternal relationships will be formed, and our hearts will be touched by the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.

Engage with Christ and his mission to the nations. Global engagement is more than a fun travel opportunity, it is a calling. The Great Commission as Jesus stated in Matthew 28 is to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." 

Check out pictures from past global engagement trips!

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
- Revelation 7:9-10