From Classroom to Community: Applying my Faith and Focus in El Salvador
By Jacob Olivera | Immersion II – GOD Summer Internship
Jacob Olivera (blue, center) alongside new friends in El Salvador, plus his brother Mark and teacher, Professor Benjamin Reese.
At The Institute for GOD, a missions-based Bible college, we are required to participate in at least three international mission trips. These aren’t random travel opportunities—they’re stages in a long-term development program designed by GOD International, a global development agency.
The first trip, called Internship, introduces us to mission work and the global needs we’ll help address.
The second, Immersion I, roots us in a specific region, with a focus on language and cultural understanding.
The third, Immersion II, is where it all comes together. We return to the field, this time leading a project tied to our occupational focus and field of study.
Jacob has chosen an Occupational Focus in Project Management. Connecting this with his global experience allows a whole new perspective on a cross-cultural trajectory.
This summer marks my third international mission trip—and my Immersion II. I previously served in Uganda during my Internship and the Philippines during Immersion I. This year, I’m serving in El Salvador, which is a bit unusual for students in our program. Typically, students return to the same country for both Immersion phases to deepen their regional impact.
But in my case, several experiences made El Salvador the right fit. I had already been working as a teacher’s aid in the Institute’s online international courses, where I got to interact with Salvadoran students. I also grew up hearing stories from immigrant adults in my life—people whose lives began in places like this. My Hispanic roots and Spanish language skills allowed me to move directly into Immersion II in El Salvador without repeating the previous stage.
Bible Studies with Professor Reese on the GOD International campus in El Salvador.
Now that I’m here, I see how right this decision was. God is doing great things through this community.
Like Paul in Romans 1, I felt a deep longing to meet the people I had been praying for and hearing about. When I finally arrived, that longing turned into joy. I’ve been deeply impacted by their faith, perseverance, and service.
Gabi, a young woman in our community, honors her grandmother’s legacy by serving in the local school and in Club de Niños, our children’s outreach program.
Kenia, who comes from a farming family, is advancing her agricultural knowledge by adopting cleaner, healthier sowing techniques.
Orlando helps maintain the campus and surrounding areas through skilled landscaping and maintenance work—his stewardship reflects real care for God’s creation.
This is what Global Outreach Developments International is about: equipping people to live out the Gospel in practical ways that bless their communities. And through the GOD Summer Internship, I get to witness firsthand how those efforts take root across cultures.
I’m grateful that my experience at The Institute—alongside my cultural background and academic preparation—has led me to this moment. Here in El Salvador, I’m not just learning about missions. I’m living it.