Mission Fever
Sharing God's love by meeting needs
Missions Volunteering Charity Work
Bill Choate, Collegiate Ministry Supervisor, Brentwood, Tennessee
"While I’ve taken hundreds of university students on mission experiences to multiple nations, some of my most engaging opportunities have been those developed by Paul Gunn. Paul has a gift for finding those unique locations where God is waiting to do fresh things. He initiates mission partnerships in which young people’s ministry gifts are put to good use, while they learn how God can work through them in ways they never imagined. Paul sees every mission experience as a time for young people to learn about the cultures of the world while growing meaningfully in their faith. Whether on a Caribbean or Pacific Island, or in a North American megacity, Paul will see that students are placed right where God is at work. Their lives will be changed."
Brittany Reed Grider, founder of Aaron Grider Foundation, North Carolina:
"I had the privilege to join a Mission Fever trip to the Galapagos summer of 2011. I especially appreciate the vision of Mission Fever -- encouraging individuals to embrace their spiritual gifts and serve others by sharing those gifts. We all have so much to learn and gain from one another; what a blessing it was to go with a desire to serve and walk away having been so graciously served. The people and the beauty of the land was indescribable. I am thankful for this opportunity and I look forward to the next one..."
Stacey Murphree, Campus Minister, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee:
"Paul led a trip to Saba island with me in 2006 and 2007. We took a group of Tennessee Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) students. It was a wonderful experience connecting with relational and hands on ministry in that part of the world. Our students were able to work hard and at the same time build friendships with those on the island. To this day, students on those teams still talk about their experience working in Saba, and it is clear how that opportunity challenged them, shaped them, and continued giving them a vision for what God is doing around the world. Working with Paul and Mission Fever, you will feel prepared and informed for the mission task at hand."
Brian Jones, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee:
"There are three things I've done for the last six years (and still do) the night before a new journey with Paul:
1.) Clear my head in order to receive the guaranteed wealth of unfamiliar knowledge that I'll meet on the trip.
2.) Prepare my heart to work with both familiar and freshly met faces in doing what I love to do: assisting others in need.
3.) Ensure that my body can properly handle the high levels of laughter that is threaded into each day spent.
I've been with him on trips to Bimini Bahamas, Galapagos, Chicago, New York City, and other places."
Matt Swallows, Mt Juliet, Tennessee:
"I have been on several trips with Paul including Saba, Bimini, and Andros. I never thought a mission trip could truly change my life. Boy, was I wrong. We had fun and made memories that I will truly never forget. One thing I appreciate about Paul's trips is the lifelong friendships and camaraderie that I will take with me forever. Going has offered me new and unique experiences in some of the most beautiful places in the world. If you go on one mission trip with Paul, you'll never go on one without him! I can't wait to go on another trip myself! With pre-trip meetings and planning, I've felt prepared and ready for every situation that we encountered. All of our jobs and missions were clearly planned out before we arrived. We helped repair churches and homes, lead sports camps for children, and were involved in elementary schools. It was hard work, but the gratitude and smiles of the people whose lives we changed made all of the labor well worth it. I'm thankful to have been a small part of God's work. God can use you - All you have to be is willing. My life will never be the same.
Jessica Youmans, elementary school teacher, Mooresville, Indiana
"On one of my two trips to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota with Paul, God really instilled and reaffirmed in me the desire to become a teacher. Being able to connect with children on the trip where we were led a Bible club with stories, songs, games, and crafts showed me the joy in opening children's eyes not just to learning, but to what a relationship with Jesus Christ can mean to them.
"I went to The Galapagos Islands twice and both experiences have deeply affected me. I am more focused on my future and less concerned about material things. Volunteering in an impoverished school helped me see how I can make a difference in simple ways. Furthermore, my faith has been strengthened as my church supported me on both trips. I look forward to going again."
Daniel Shedd, University of Tennessee:
"I started my years in the youth ministry with a trip to Chicago I was in the eighth grade, and that was just the beginning. Since then, I have been on five other mission trips with Paul. I went on another trip to Chicago, a trip to Bimini, a trip to New York, and two trips to the Galapagos Islands. All of these trips were very meaningful to me. In my experiences, I have learned to expect several things on any trip with Paul. I have learned to expect a very organized trip that is designed to have the greatest impact on the people that are being served. I have learned the true meaning of sacrifice. Paul's contacts downrange are people who have given up practically everything to serve the local people full time. Since I have been to the Galapagos Islands twice, I have begun to develop
relationships with some of the people, and I want to go back many times in the future. If Paul's trips have affected anyone else like they have affected me, then he has planted the seeds for many trips to come."
TSgt Jason and Sarah Burden, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada:
"Jason and I went to South Dakota several different years with Paul when we were in high school. It was such a learning experience and God taught us that even though it seemed like a totally different world there on the Reservation, we are all under the same sky and in His Kingdom. There was a lot of hard work, but it was well worth it. We had the opportunity to return just a few years ago as a married couple and talked a lot about how we were glad to have this opportunity to share and grow as a couple. Paul was also a riot on trips, occasionally taking the "unbeaten" path or stopping the van so Jason could attempt to feed Big Red gum to a buffalo! Thanks for the wonderful memories!"
Jamie Ford, retired high school teacher, Owensboro, Kentucky:
Linda Ford, retired high school counselor, Owensboro, Kentucky:
"I have been on several mission trips with Paul and have been blessed beyond what I thought was possible. My life was forever changed and my heart for missions grew much stronger through these trips. I always felt fully prepared for each trip due to the pre-trip instruction we received and the planning that made each trip a success. Paul is very organized and is able to successfully handle any unexpected situations with ease. God has blessed Paul with the ability to relate to people of all races and cultures. His desire to reach others for Christ is apparent and he has dedicated much time and effort into doing that through not only his mission trips but in his daily walk with Christ. One trip with Paul and you will be hooked!"
