‘Fun and rewarding’: ETBU’s cross nation and monitor and discipline groups serve on Belize mission journey

‘Fun and rewarding’: ETBU’s cross nation and monitor and discipline groups serve on Belize mission journey

Published 5:42 am Monday, January 26, 2026

Members of East Texas Baptist University’s cross nation and monitor and discipline groups not too long ago took half in a mission journey to Belize.

The groups left Marshall on Jan. 1 as a part of ETBU’s Tiger Athletic Mission Experience. Students partnered with International Sports Federation and THREE18 Ministries for outreach and repair for every week.

“The team’s first full day in Belize began with intensive preparations for the week ahead,” ETBU stated in an announcement. “The team spent time creating skits, dances, and crafts to share with the Belize community. In the evening, the Tigers hosted a local 5K with the community of Belmopan. Over 200 Belizeans joined in on the 5K glow run, which gave ETBU cross country and track and field the opportunity to share laughter and stories with locals. There were food trucks, face painting, balloons, and music.”

The second day included members serving at a church within the Mayapan group the place they led worship, gave testimonies and held a trip Bible college for native kids. Students later have been part of “Jesus Night,” a worship evening for the group.

“Sunday was a meaningful and joy-filled day,” graduate scholar Ache Anderson stated. “We attended the church service and spent time doing activities with the kids while some of our team shared their testimonies, which was both fun and rewarding. Visiting the Mayan ruins was beautiful and awe-inspiring. The day ended with Jesus Night, which was filled with music, joy, and sharing our faith together.”

Students later did work at a faculty.

“The 40 athletes split into two groups; one group served by painting several of the building exteriors, and the others worked to remove rocks and clear a spot to be used by the school,” ETBU stated. “The day ended with a worship night for local teens and college students at La Paz, a THREE18 Ministries camp for volunteers in Belize.”

“Monday was a great experience to see a local high school and how they worship,” sophomore PJ Johnson stated. “It was cool to do a skit for them and see their laughs and smiles. We ended the night with a community worship gathering, worshiping the Lord in English and in their native language.”

On one other day, college students visited an area pre-school and engaged with the kids by way of craft-making, enjoying video games and praying with and for them. In the afternoon, ETBU hosted a youth monitor camp.

“We were able to connect through our sport and our God-given talents,” freshman Sophie Gaddy stated. “I personally was able to see how God works through people and how His voice can carry through the people we meet.  We are not that different and have a lot of similar stories. That was cool to see as we shared different stories from our lives and cultures as we were all united through a common belief and love for God, which was inspiring.”

ETBU cross nation and monitor and discipline Head Coach Natalie Bach-Prather mirrored on the chance to guide her crew in service to the Belize communities, saying that she noticed extra change in her crew than ever earlier than.

“We have a lot of athletes at a lot of different levels in their spiritual walk,” Bach-Prather stated. “There were some athletes that really grew, and you could tell that this trip changed their life forever. Some of the more mature in their faith opened up and pulled some of the other ones along. Some athletes had the vulnerability to say, ‘I don’t really know where I’m at, but this trip is making me think about it.’ It was really heartwarming.”

The crew returned Jan 8, and Bach-Prather stated she is keen to see how the journey will influence crew dynamics.

“I am really excited because the biggest challenge now is going to get the 40 student-athletes we took to get that energy with the 35 we left behind,” Bach-Prather stated. “We have some ways that we’re going to implement it, but the excitement of those that we took is so profound that I think it’s just going to automatically run off onto the others. I’m looking forward to see what it’s going to do, what impact it’s going to have on our team.”