Since 1986, hundreds of Edgers have spent their summers serving alongside Pioneers teams.
We’ve gathered stories and thoughts from past Edgers whose lives have been changed by God through the Edge program. Scroll down or watch our Edge video playlist on YouTube.
Drew’s Story
The summer after his freshman year in college, Drew from Tennessee went with Pioneers on an Edge trip to South Asia. John, a member of the Edge staff in Orlando, helped him with everything from raising his funds to packing his bags.
“My Edge trip is still one of the most memorable experiences in my life.
“It humbled me in exposing my pride and some areas of struggle. I was very focused on what I could do and how I am perceived by others. The Lord showed realistic expectations of long-term service on the field and also His role versus my role. Best summed up: He must become greater and I must become less. The only thing that made me qualified was the power of His Holy Spirit working through my willing and faithful service. His grace truly is sufficient and the Good News is for all who will receive it.
“It was at times difficult, but beautiful and rewarding. I knew after my Edge trip that I would commit to long-term service no matter what. This is what God wanted me to do.”
“God didn’t call me to an easy thing that summer, but He did call me to walk by faith. Lingering unknown sickness prior to the trip almost kept me from going, but God gave me the grace to take a step of faith amid doubts and I didn’t regret it. God taught me how to truly rely on Him through prayer, His Word, my teammates, and local followers of Jesus. He truly showed us the beauty of Jesus beginning to bring lasting blessing and true life to the “Land of Thorns” and its people, as they began to draw deeply and with joy from the wells of His salvation.
“It was at times difficult, but beautiful and rewarding. I knew after my Edge trip that I would commit to long-term service no matter what. This is what God wanted me to do.”
Kate’s Short-Term Trip
Kate shares about her summer mission trip to the Middle East through Pioneers Edge program. She talks about foreign food, relationships with locals, team dynamics, coaching, missionary expectations and her relationship with God.
Shane’s Summer Trip to Europe
Shane shares about his summer trip to Europe through Pioneers’ Edge short-term missions program. He talks about his fears going into the summer, a lack of necessary air conditioning and what God taught him at the end of it all.
Middle East Roundtable
Listen in as several short-term college missionaries talk about their summer in the Middle East.
Emma’s Short-Term Trip
Emma shares about her summer mission trip to the Middle East through Pioneers Edge program. She talks about her first foreign meal, dinner times with missionaries, her struggles with comparison and the misperceptions she had about missions.