On Tuesday, Sept. 29, Union’s Office of University Ministries (OUM) hosted Underground, an annual event that allows students to acquire knowledge about the spread and need of Christianity in other countries, with a focus on prayer for both believers and non-believers in these respective places.
Students involved with the OUM led presentations and helped facilitate this year’s event.
Samuel Barkman, junior physical education major, manned a table representing the country of Papua New Guinea, a place he called home for a period of 12 years. He spoke with a passion about the people he grew to know so well, showing off different elements of the culture while speaking on the state of Christianity in the country. He spoke about the region’s susceptibility to false gospels.
“It is amazing that Union hosts events like Underground,” said Barkman. “Underground is a great opportunity for people to come together and pray for the global church. It also helps us to understand that the church is not a building, but that it is the people of God who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and believe in what He has done on the cross.”
After students were given the opportunity to stop by many of the tables and hear the presentations, all in attendance joined together for a small session of worship.
The two in charge of this year’s event were Natalie Nagy, junior journalism major, and Jv Martinez, senior business administration major, both members of GLT (Go Leadership Team).
“I wanted to see Underground as an opportunity for our campus,” said Martinez. “-an opportunity to not only raise awareness about believers and non-believers around the world, but to also allow students and missionaries to speak firsthand of their experiences in other countries, specifically dealing with their faith.”
For Martinez, the opportunity to take the lead on a project like Underground was humbling and a glowing example of how God uses us as believers to carry out His work.
“I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to be part of something that is so much bigger than myself,” said Martinez.
After the event concluded, many remained to fellowship with one another in conversation. Those in attendance were thankful, given that students have the opportunity to attend a university that allows for events such as Underground to take place.
This event is an opportunity for students to learn about the work of Christ happening outside of our comfort zones.
For those with questions about how to get involved, stop by the OUM in the SUB just outside of Brewer Dining Hall.