Using IT in missions!

Eight computer science students and their professor from Calvin College, Michigan (USA), spent two weeks in January using their skills in mission. They worked with the IT team at OM’s International Coordinating team (ICT) in Carlisle, UK, on openPetra, an updated version of the administration software used around the OM world.

The students were excited to contribute to the progress of worthwhile software. One of them said, “This is the first time I’ve ever worked on a major project. It was really good to get experience in something this big.” For some of them, who had thought of mission solely as outreach into remote parts of the world, their experience at ICT gave them a whole new perspective as they discovered how essential IT skills are within OM.

ICT has run internship programmes in the past for communications, finance and IT students. Some have returned to OM for short- and long-term mission. Pray that a few of the students from Calvin College will discover further how they can use their technical skills in mission in the future.

OM’s role in the Church is to mobilise people to share the knowledge of Jesus and His love with every generation in every nation. OM pioneers and leads initiatives to redeem lives, rebuild communities and restore hope in over 110 countries.