As part of their Christian service this semester, several journalism students volunteered their time to publish a weekly newsletter for a local Christian fellowship that featured updates from missionaries in the field. With a distribution to multiple cities, the newsletter featured frequent progress or status reports serve like a lifeline for their missionaries.

"Missionaries need support and prayer for their work," said Olivet College of Journalism student Jamie Pan, "We're helping the fellowship stay connected with those in the field so that other members can provide help where needed."

Three journalism students and one theology student collaborate in producing the weekly newsletter. Each is assigned to cover news on missionaries from a particular region or city in the U.S. Photos from the missionaries' fellowship activities accompany each region's report as well as a list of prayer requests. Occasionally, the report newsletter will include a testimony from a missionary.

Upon completion, the newsletter is sent to everyone on the fellowship's mailing list, including the missionaries themselves.

The more people who read the news, the merrier, according to Pan.
"Both missionaries and fellowship members alike can be inspired by the good news happening at the forefront of missions," she said.

All students Olivet University participate in the Christian Service Program which connects them with hands-on work experiences in local church and ministry settings. The program is designed to foster spiritual character in students through meaningful and enriching volunteer work.

Other services provided to local Christian groups by journalism students this semester range from writing for a church's Sunday bulletin to updating a church or ministry's website.