RIVERSIDE (May 7, 2014)—California Baptist University sent 16 volunteer teams to their respective fields of service around the world this week, in the 2014 season's first wave of International Service Projects (ISP), United States Projects (USP) and Summer of Service (SOS).

In all, 45 teams will serve in 16 countries, with more than 400 participants involved. Groups departed May 6 and 7 for East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Italy.

As they left the campus, each team gathered to pray at the Kugel, a 10-ton granite globe that rests on a base inscribed with the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).

"We're about men and women called to be world Christians," said Jared Dobbins, assistant director of mobilization. "Our preparation this year has been based on the theme Stand: Stand on, stand up and stand fast."

Each volunteer goes through more than 75 hours of training to prepare for service opportunities, including an Intensive Training Weekend that simulate overseas situations of this year's more than 400 students and team leaders, 73 percent are participating for the first time.

"Please pray that we will be effective as we work with our people group," one volunteer asked family and friends. "Pray that God will use us at every opportunity."