About

Nearly ten years ago Upper Columbia Academy sent its first group of short term missionaries to the Iban people in the jungles of Borneo to build a church. From this small beginning, the opportunity for ministry in Borneo has increased rapidly. Because UCA has returned each spring break to the same area, we have established an ongoing relationship with the Borneo Mission and its church members. This partnership has had a compounding effect. In fact, since UCA students have been building churches, Borneo youth have begun similar evangelism and building projects. According to Gilbert Tan (the local mission leader) baptisms have tripled in Borneo the past two years, and the demand for more churches is exploding.

One of the unique aspects of this trip is that students see the result of the gospel seed planted in years past by fellow students. They see entire longhouses converting to Christ as a result of evangelism through medical/dental teams, church building, preaching, vacation Bible schools, and friendship. These trips have changed the lives of many UCA students.

God is continuing to open the doors for us to experience this frontline, hands-on, heart-changing mission opportunity. This year we will build two more churches down the river from last years’ projects near Julau town. The main chief of this area has recently become an SDA Christian and is opening the forty longhouses under his jurisdiction to UCA ministry. What an opportunity!