The Southwestern Missions Association raised $33,432.17 for missions during the 2007-2008 school year.  Money came from the generous weekly donations of SAGU students, faculty, and staff members as well as various fundraising efforts.  SMA Treasurer, Jennifer Webb, was excited to see the University family join together in changing the face of communities in Bangladesh, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic.  A milestone year, SMA officers believe this year’s total to be the highest for a single year of giving at SAGU.

Over $12,000 of the total was given to build a church in Bangladesh.  Missionaries Larry and Sharon Smith were on campus earlier this year to personally accept the check.  In addition, SAGU students Rachel Martin and Blake Patterson are leading a Contact team to Bangladesh to build the church that was funded as well as work in an orphanage this summer.

On November 19, 2007, Student Congress and Southwestern Missions Association partnered together for World Hunger Day.  The needs of the Lillian Trasher Orphanage in Egypt were presented to the campus family during this time.  As a result, $1,000 was given to enable the orphanage help the down-trodden in Egypt.

As a special Christmas Project, SMA Secretary Brittany Woodward presented the student body with an opportunity to bless the persecuted church of Northern Asia.  As a Christmas blessing, Southwestern donated $1,000 to send care packages to believers in this area.

Due to the mass riots and persecution in Kenya, World Ministries Director Joel Watson brought this urgent need before the campus family at the beginning of the spring semester.  An Assemblies of God Church in Eldoret, Kenya, was the hardest hit in the area, impacted by murders and their church being burnt.  SAGU mobilized immediately and in a matter of four days had given over $7,000 for the rebuilding of churches in Kenya.

The remainder of this semester, Dr. Gary Royer asked the students to give towards a completion of the Latin America Child Care school in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  Dr. Royer and student Shirley Rios are leading a team of SAGU students to do the physical labor of completing the school.  Southwestern students gave more than $12,000 towards the work.

The Southwestern Missions Association is ecstatic about the funds given to help missionaries and people around the world.  According to SMA President, Phillip Dow, “This year has been evidence of the commitment of SAGU to World Ministries.  Next year, I only expect bigger and better things from the campus family.”