The Journey to El Salvador is a program co-sponsored by the Chaplain's Office of Davidson College and the Davidson College Presbyterian Church (DCPC). An ecumenical team of 10-12 students, selected in the fall semester, gathers weekly throughout the spring semester to study history, politics, economics and theology related to El Salvador, to engage in worship and scripture study, and to reflect on Christian discipleship and our roles as North American citizens. Dates for this year's trip are March 1 - 10, 2013.

The focal point of the semester is a spring break trip to El Salvador. The team is hosted by CRISPAZ, a faith-based organization founded in 1984 that is dedicated to building bridges of solidarity between the Church of the poor and marginalized communities in El Salvador and communities in the US. We meet with Salvadorans to hear stories about their experiences and their journey of discipleship. We visit a variety of non-governmental organizations and other agencies that work to improve life for the most impoverished and marginalized people in El Salvador. We spend time with Salvadoran families for brief home stays, both in San Salvador and in the countryside, and experience their ordinary daily life. We participate in the worship services of several different Christian communities. Upon returning to Davidson, our team continues to meet for several weeks to reflect upon our experience and what it means for our ongoing discipleship to Jesus.

The Journey to El Salvador is a reverse-mission experience. By that, we understand that we are not taking Christianity to some place that lacks it. Nor are we going to evangelize through work projects. Rather, we recognize that God is alive and at work in the lives of our Salvadoran brothers and sisters in a unique way. We travel to El Salvador with the hope of experiencing God in their context, having our lives transformed by that encounter, and becoming agents of transformation-missionaries-in our own context back here in the United States.

You must complete both Part 1 and Part 2 of the application.

Please contact us with any further questions.