RIVERSIDE, Calif. (May 3, 2016) – California Baptist University's first wave of volunteers for the 2016 International Service Projects (ISP), United States Projects (USP) and Summer of Service (SOS) are being sent out to their fields of service this week.

This summer, more than 300 volunteers comprising 37 teams will serve in 17 countries. 2016 marks the 20th year of CBU's of mobilization efforts. Fifteen teams are scheduled to depart from CBU May 1- May 4 en route to service projects in the United Kingdom, Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Africa, Thailand, Poland and Germany.

"Prayer is the preparation for great work," Jeff Lewis, interim director of the Office of Mobilization, told one group departing on May 2.

In accordance with CBU tradition, before their departure, teams gather to pray at the Kugel, a granite globe on a base inscribed with the scripture from Matthew 28:19-20, symbolizing CBU's commitment to the Great Commission.  

"The Kugel represents the heart of the university, the DNA of this institution," Lewis said. "It's exciting to see what God is doing here at CBU."

Each service project volunteer completed more than 75 hours of training, including the annual Intensive Training Weekend that simulates overseas situations.