The Banner

On Dec. 8, ISP announced where future ISP, USP, SOS, and Beyond students will be going during the night of ISP Team Reveal at the Arlington Seventh Day Adventist Church in Riverside.

After detailing the history of ISP from 1997 to 2009, Kristen White started the night off with stirring the crowd of over 450 students by exclaiming, "This year, begins tonight."

With a record 49 teams going to 22 countries; 57 percent of which will be reaching unreached people groups,White reassured the anticipating crowd saying, "I was in your seat at one time at Oklahoma Baptist University." There was also the announcement of a new program titled "And Beyond" which will take teams of students who graduated in staying for a span of two years in a foreign country.

The night began with worship which then led to information students needed to know about the program. The MOB squad entertained the crowd and gave information in the form of clichéd infomercials and "MOB Jeopardy" starring a look- a-like Alex Trebek with categories: Training, Website, Stupid Answers, Money, and Potpourri.

After all the information was given, the crowd quietly murmured and moved around anxiously, knowing the time they had been waiting for was finally here. The crowd separated into five groups in which MOB members announced the teams and what country they would be going to.

Junior Melissa Powell, who will be going to the Pacific Rim, said,"I was really excited because this year I would be going overseas with the school for the first time, which will be a very different experience then my USP New York trip last spring."

Melissa explained why she chose to do ISP, "I understand the call for people overseas and I can't wait to share God's hope and love to the nations," Powell said.

Jill Altenburg, a member of the MOB squad was able to experience the night a little differently than others, "I've been to many team reveals, but this one was set apart. My favorite part of the night was walking back into the church and seeing all the teams meeting together for the first time; bonding and getting to know each other," Altenburg said,

Altenburg will be doing the SOS program, which stands for 'Summer of Service' in which she will be spending 3 months in Japan. "What is cool about SOS is being able to stay in the country longer and building stronger relationships with the people making it easier and more accepted when sharing the gospel. I am really excited," Altenburg said.

As the teams left the building, they were full of excitement, awaiting the field work they would embark on together.

"This is honestly my favorite night of the year," White said.

For ISP, USP, SOS, and Beyond students this experience will be a life changing experience, both for students and the lives they will touch.