and engaging in ministry has changed life after life. From the earliest days of evangelism to today, missionaries have experienced this powerful effect. The TEARS Summer Explosion program is a six-week session designed to minister to mature Americans and Canadians in the upper high school or college age group. This TEARS intern program integrates the participants into the work of TEARS Ministries while being stretched through cultural assimilation, discipleship and evangelism. The goal of the program is to develop leaders and to direct interns toward a closer relationship with God as they live out the two greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 23:37-39). This rigorous and demanding TEARS program has a powerful effect on each student as they increase their spiritual and social awareness of the mission field. (This program is now only available upon recommendation of home church pastors)
Derek Sproule enrolled in the internship program for the summer of 2006. His heart was changed:
“This summer was all about the transforming power of Jesus Christ. I hoped this trip would build my faith, but I never understood or imagined what God had in store. I was forced, in my weakness, to humble myself and rely on him. He came through with wondrous power. Sitting on the plane (coming to La Vega) I kept thinking about how God would work through me. But the most profound changes occurred when God worked in me.”