The GAP Years Experience

As part of the internationalization efforts at Azusa Pacific University, the Office of Service and Discipleship is convinced that our responsibility is not only to facilitate global opportunities for university students through our local, national, and international experiences, but to also provide opportunities for students to serve around the world after graduation. We believe that through creating opportunities for students to encounter God, themselves, and one another, then taking them through a process of spiritual and personal formation, we encourage students to be the lived expression of Jesus Christ in whatever setting they find themselves in, after graduation. 

Based on conversations with a variety of organizations focused on the mobilization of young adults and in-house debriefings with students after on-going and one-time service experiences, it has become clear that God often uses the mechanism of short-term international experiences to activate individuals for long-term ministry. Upon return from short-term service events, many students share that they sense God’s call toward full-time ministry and service. Unfortunately, research shows that the financial stress of having school debt, the need to find a job that will provide income, and working through what to do after leaving college, are obstacles to responding to this call.  While students feel the desire to serve, they often do not know where to begin regarding which organization to partner with, how to fundraise, or how to prepare for a significant time of service.

The G.A.P. Years experience is designed to remove or mitigate these financial barriers as we believe that, with these barriers removed, many will make the decision to step into mid-term cross-cultural ministry. Azusa Pacific University will play a significant role in directing graduates toward ministries around the world that have expressed a desire and need for educated workers in a variety of fields. 

If you have an approved medical exemption from the Accessibility and Disability Resources Office, please contact Karen Rouggly at krouggly@apu.edu to discuss your options for participation.

For more information regarding the program, please contact the G.A.P. Years team at osd@apu.edu or call us at 626-812-3027.