All Episodes

From Iowa to Oxford: How stepping into the unknown deepened Brayden’s faith and revealed new ways to serve with purpose and in the ways of Jesus.

In this episode, Brenna Carson sits down with Abby Noonan, a college student from Iowa, to talk about her unexpected journey to Oxford, England on a spring break service trip with One Collective. Abby shares how a simple reference form led her to an eye-opening experience in relational ministry, the power of cross-cultural community, and what it means to trust God with both the big and small moments of service.

In this episode, Brenna Carson sits down with Travis Sweeney, a college student from Northwestern College, to talk about his recent spring break service trip to Oxford, UK. Travis shares how serving at The Jungle, a community center and art space, opened his eyes to a new way of doing ministry—one rooted in relationships, creativity, and quiet transformation. From art classes to men's prayer, hear how God moved through everyday moments and how Travis is carrying those lessons into his life back on campus.

In this episode, Brenna sits down with Molly Riggs, a university student who recently returned from a mission trip to Nicaragua. Molly shares how her team partnered with local organizations to support ongoing work—through manual labor, relationship-building, and spiritual reflection. She reflects on how the experience reshaped her understanding of missions, deepened her faith, and challenged her to trust in God's presence already at work.

In this episode, Avery Marstella shares his powerful experience serving in Ecuador—where a simple "yes" turned into a life-changing journey of faith, creativity, and community. From painting a mural alongside local leaders to preaching his very first sermon, Avery walks us through the highs, challenges, and holy moments that defined his week abroad. Hear how God used every part of the trip to deepen trust, spark transformation, and build lasting connections.

In this episode, Brenna Carson sits down with Dr. Charles Perabeau, Dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Olivet Nazarene University, to explore the transformative power of short-term mission trips. Charles shares stories from his recent team’s experience in Ecuador with One Collective, reflects on the spiritual growth that comes through vulnerability and cross-cultural engagement, and offers heartfelt encouragement to anyone considering stepping out in faith. Whether you're a student, leader, or simply curious about missions, this conversation is a rich reminder of how God works through our willingness to go.

In this episode, Brenna Carson sits down with Miriam Rete, a student at Northwestern College, to talk about her recent cross-cultural service trip to Cowley, England. Miriam shares her experience leading a student team, working with a local community center, and how God has used travel and missions to deepen her faith. From tea time in the UK to meaningful conversations with those overcoming addiction, Miriam reflects on the joy found in different cultures and the importance of listening and learning. Whether you're considering a short-term trip or simply curious about life-changing global service, this episode is full of inspiration and wisdom.

In this episode, Grace reflects on her summer as a community engagement intern in Santiago, Spain, where she worked with Apotheca on projects like assembling farmer's baskets, organizing events, and advertising artisanal products. She shares how the experience challenged her expectations, deepened her cross-cultural understanding, and revealed unexpected passions, including entrepreneurship. Grace's story highlights the value of stepping out of your comfort zone, cultivating enduring habits, and using your unique gifts to serve others.

In this episode, we sit down with Kendra, who spent six weeks serving in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, with Apotheca, a nonprofit supporting local businesses and low-income families. She shares about her work connecting pilgrims and the community, marketing local farmer baskets, and assisting in programs like soap workshops for survivors of domestic violence. Kendra reflects on how this experience deepened her faith, taught her patience, and shaped her passion for listening and walking alongside others. Whether you’re considering cross-cultural service or simply looking for inspiration, Kendra’s journey is a beautiful reminder of the impact of humility, love, and faith in action.

Heather recently graduated from Azusa Pacific University and went on a trip to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. She went with a group of fellow students and partnered with a collective through her university's global engagement program. Heather had a new experience leading the trip and working with a new group of people. One of her favorite parts was seeing her team members come out of their shells and discover their passions. She also had a memorable moment visiting a local farm in Spain that reminded her of her own family's farm in America. The trip has had a significant impact on Heather's spiritual journey and she feels a calling for long-term mission work. She has a passion for cross-cultural ministry and is exploring where she feels most connected and invested. Heather's advice for future short-term team workers is to learn about the area they are going to, understand the culture, and practice the language.

Amanda went on a short-term mission trip to Ecuador with a group from Foundations Church. She left her family behind to join the journey and had a positive experience seeing new places and forming relationships with the team. She enjoyed trying new foods and experiencing the culture of Ecuador. Amanda advises future short-term team workers to be open-minded, flexible, and willing to try new things. The trip also had a spiritual impact on Amanda and the students, igniting a spark in their relationship with God. Amanda is open to future cross-cultural service opportunities and hopes to involve her family in future trips.

Jesse Watson shares his experience serving in Spain with One Collective and the impact it had on his life. He discusses the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, the cultural differences he encountered, and the growth he experienced through cross-cultural ministry. Jesse also offers advice for those preparing to go on a short-term team trip and shares his plans for cross-cultural service.

Lily Richardson shares her experience of a trip to Greece with a group of eight girls from her school. She talks about the unique aspects of Greek culture, such as the late dinner times and the relaxed attitude towards punctuality. Lily also discusses the importance of sitting with people and listening to them as a form of ministry. She offers advice for those going on a trip, emphasizing the need to be flexible and open-minded. Lily expresses her desire to go on another cross-cultural service trip in the future.

Wade shares his experience of a trip to North Africa and the impact it had on him. He talks about the people he went with, his favorite moments, and the cultural differences he encountered. Wade also discusses how God worked through the trip and how it has shaped his perspective on cross-cultural service. He offers advice for those preparing for similar trips and shares his plans for future involvement in cross-cultural ministry.

Kaylie shares her experience of a trip to Spain, where she had previously lived. She went with a small group and had the opportunity to introduce her friends to the Spanish culture. Some new experiences for them included the crosswalks and the healthy lifestyle of walking and biking everywhere. One of Kaylie's favorite moments from the trip was helping a homeless pilgrim return home. The trip taught her the importance of the ministry of presence and being patient. As a result of the trip, Kaylie feels called to do missions in some form and will be working locally in Azusa. She also hopes to go on another trip in the future.

Madison Campbell shares her experience of going on short-term team trips to Nicaragua with One Collective. She talks about the relationships she has built with the local people and missionaries, the cultural differences she has encountered, and the ways in which she has seen God at work. Madison also offers advice for future short-term team trip participants and discusses her plans for future cross-cultural service.

Brayden Hall shares his experiences on short-term team trips to Nicaragua with One Collective. He emphasizes the importance of community and camaraderie among team members, especially when returning to the same location multiple times. Brayden highlights the impact of the projects completed during the trips, such as building roads and community centers, and how they have transformed the local communities. He also discusses the spiritual growth and personal development he has experienced as a result of these trips. Brayden expresses his plans to continue cross-cultural service, including his dream of funding and investing in a baseball complex in Masatepe, Nicaragua.

Austin shares his experience on a mission trip to Nicaragua and how it impacted his faith and relationships. He talks about the pineapple farm, the cultural differences he encountered, and the personal growth he experienced. Austin also discusses the after-effects of the trip, including how he has become a leader in his community and how his friends have shown interest in his faith. He offers advice for those considering a mission trip and expresses his desire to lead a trip in the future.

In this episode, we sit down with Noah, a passionate and dedicated individual from Aiken, Minnesota. Noah shares his inspiring journey from being homeschooled with a strong faith foundation to his mission work in Nicaragua. Learn about his experiences working on community projects like alcohol rehabilitation farms and community centers, and how these trips have deepened his appreciation for community and faith. Noah's story is a testament to the transformative power of cross-cultural service and the personal growth that comes with it. Tune in to hear about the challenges, memorable moments, and spiritual reflections from his mission trips, and gain valuable insights for future missionaries.

Abby Stroven, the executive director for the La Vida Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership at Gordon College, shares her experience leading short-term team trips with One Collective in Ecuador. She discusses the importance of building long-term relationships and trust with partner organizations in the field. Abby highlights the transformative impact these trips have on students, as they learn about different worldviews, become more present, and deepen their relationship with God. She emphasizes the need for thorough preparation, including team bonding and prayer, and encourages sustainable practices in cross-cultural ministry. Abby looks forward to seeing the long-lasting impact of these trips and the growth of students as they bring their experiences back to their communities.

In this podcast episode, Sofi interviews Gabe, a college student who went on a short-term team trip to Ecuador. Gabe shares his experiences and the impact the trip had on his life. They discuss the close relationships formed with the team members and the local community, the cultural differences they encountered, and the lessons learned about love and purpose. Gabe also talks about the importance of preparation and the role of spirituality in cross-cultural service. He expresses his desire to continue serving and connecting with people from different cultures in the future.