Local Outreach: Limitless Impact

The word “outreach” may bring to mind the picture of a distant country, filled with culturally-diverse people and unfamiliar lifestyles. For some Jessup University students, they understand that outreach can start in your own backyard.

Over the Spring and Fall 2025 semesters, Jessup’s Campus Ministries partnered with Points of Light (POL), an organization that serves communities across the globe, and sent a team of students to Oakland, California to support their mission.

Debra Hay, Coordinator for Student Connections, explains the importance of this initiative. “With around 500 churches planted in Oakland, ranging in all sizes, there are no churches that have a full-time children’s ministry pastor or leader because of small budgets.” She elaborates, “POL’s goal is to meet those needs where the local church cannot.”

To support this mission, Jessup students led house visits where they presented Bible lessons right on the steps of children’s homes. Hay explains, “It’s Sunday school, but sidewalk Sunday school. The team is brought to the street to preach the Word to children all around Oakland.”

Local outreach is designed to support those in need, but it’s undeniable that students also receive something rewarding by participating in these ministry opportunities.

“You can tangibly see something shift within those who embrace the experience spiritually, emotionally and physically,” Hay says. “It’s a super vulnerable and courageous thing for people to ask for help, so being involved in that space and a part of that process with someone is impactful alone.”

If students want to participate in outreach opportunities, Hay explains that it’s not about going to a far destination, but it’s being available to those who need to feel supported and loved, no matter where they are located.

“We want the Jessup Community to know that we do not need to go on international trips to have cross cultural experience and help people, communities or organizations. They are here in our backyard,” Hay says.

Excited to continue their impact, Jessup students will once again be partnering with Points of Light in early March 2026 to faithfully serve their local community.