APU Global Engagement: Student Mission Trip to West Virginia

APU Global Engagement: Student Mission Trip to West Virginia
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Global Engagement: Kaylee Gunnoe ’26 Steps Into Service and Surrender
April 17, 2026 | Category Parents, Global Engagement | Written By Bella Youssefian
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Last month, Kaylee Gunnoe ’26 traveled to McDowell County, West Virginia, as part
of an Azusa Pacific University Global Engagement trip, where she spent time serving
and connecting with the local community. Through hands-on service and everyday conversations,
Gunnoe gained a deeper understanding of the challenges the community faces and what
it looks like to show up with compassion and a willingness to help.
Answering the Call to Serve
Gunnoe originally hadn’t planned on being a part of the McDowell County trip, but
felt a strong sense of conviction through her church, which led her to go. “I was
getting hints related to the Great Commission, getting out of my comfort zone, and
following God’s calling, even if I was hesitant at first,” said Gunnoe. “Because of
that, I ended up signing up.”
Surrendering to God Through Testimony
Upon arriving, Gunnoe and the rest of the team had the opportunity to hold two Bible
studies on opposite sides of the county. “We introduced ourselves and did a testimony
panel, sharing about how we all abided in God, and how important it is to immerse
ourselves in a Christian community,” said Gunnoe. Being scared to testify, Gunnoe
journaled out her thoughts that she wanted to go over in her testimony. “While that
was helpful, it led me to not focus on what God truly had for my life,” said Gunnoe.
“It compounded into this overwhelming sense of control, and I didn’t feel good about
it.” Because of this situation, Gunnoe knew she had to surrender herself to God to
truly impact the lives of those around her. “This time was different. As soon as I
began sharing about how I have abided in Christ, the apprehension and the anxiety
I felt on the first day were gone,” said Gunnoe. “I felt this overwhelming sense of
peace and comfort in knowing that I wouldn’t say everything perfectly, but that God
would be the one planting the seeds through my testimony, not me.” Gunnoe knew that
her time in McDowell County was limited, but that God would always be present and
moving through the community’s lives.
Supporting the Local Food Pantry
Gunnoe and the team also helped organize and prepare meals for a food pantry called
God’s Outreach Center
in Crane Creek Hollow. “It was led by a woman named Tildy, who I had several conversations
with,” said Gunnoe. “We talked about why she started it  and how she wanted to glorify
God through it.” Tildy was a prime example of how God’s light works in people’s lives.
“The conversations I had with her showed how much she trusts God and how much she
is willing to surrender to follow His calling for her.” Despite struggling to acquire
the food pantry and provide the food, Tildy continued to persevere. “Through God’s
strength, her pantry today is doing amazing,” said Gunnoe. “There is an abundance
of food, and the community can count on her to support them.”
Understanding the Challenges in McDowell County
Tildy’s food pantry is a big pillar of the community within Crane Creek Hollow because
of the suffering economy. “The money made in West Virginia doesn’t stay in West Virginia,”
said Gunnoe. “When coal is mined and processed, it gets sent out of the county, leading
to little money being earned by the residents of McDowell County.” Due to the economic
situation in West Virginia, many of the residents suffer from poverty and broken homes.
“There is a lot of drug abuse here, which leads to overdoses and deaths within families,”
said Gunnoe. “A high percentage of kids within the county have single parents or live
with grandparents. They do not have a traditional family structure.” This leads to
a lot of distrust in the community, especially in relation to religion and the church.
“A lot of people are scared of Christianity because traditions are different here,”
said Gunnoe. “Our host, Paul, told me that one of the little girls he leads Bible
study for told him that she is scared of church because of negative experiences in
the past.” Due to experiences like these, many children are turned away from the church,
and the county is very divided.
Gunnoe’s host, Paul, also greatly impacted her time. “He was able to talk to everyone
within the community and be helpful whenever there was a need,” said Gunnoe. “Seeing
firsthand the brokenness throughout the county, I saw him try to alleviate it in any
way that he could.” Seeing how he acted, Gunnoe was pushed to think of ways to bring
reconciliation between people and the church. “The Body of Christ cannot be full without
everyone together,” said Gunnoe. “The division and hostility were very evident between
the different denominations, especially how that hostility pushed people away from
wanting to know Christ.” Gunnoe was inspired by this to shine God’s love through her
daily interactions. “First impressions matter so much, and what I do illustrates who
God is,” said Gunnoe. “If I don’t act like Christ, people are going to assume that’s
what Christianity is about. Being able to show God’s love and follow in Jesus’ footsteps
of serving is what I want to do.”
Bringing the Mission Field Home
After returning home, Gunnoe realized that she had been taking many parts of her life
for granted. “We have it so good, and that has led me to really think about how complacent
I have become within how I serve or who I talk to,” said Gunnoe.  Although Gunnoe
loved the opportunity to serve across the country again, she knows there are plenty
of ways to serve from her own backyard. “Mission trips don’t need to be out of the
state. You can pursue a mission by setting up a Bible club and inviting people to
share their testimonies about how He has worked in your life,” said Gunnoe.
You don’t need to leave your hometown to make an impact.
This McDowell County mission trip truly changed Gunnoe’s perspective on her life.
Although she has gone on several mission trips before, she has noticed how her faith
has strengthened throughout each one. “You need to be prepared for what God has for
you because crazy stuff can happen. You need to be rooted in your faith  while being
flexible enough to change your perspective.”
Gunnoe’s experience in McDowell County reflects the heart of APU’s mission to meet
communities with humility, faith, and a willingness to serve. Through moments of surrender,
honest conversations, and witnessing both hardship and resilience, Gunnoe discovered
that impact is not defined by distance but by obedience and compassion. Her journey
is a reminder that meaningful change begins with a posture of availability to God’s
calling, whether across the country or within one’s own community.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
APU Global Engagement provides opportunities for Azusa Pacific University students
to participate in domestic and international mission trips, focusing on service, community
building, and faith development.
APU students traveled to McDowell County, West Virginia, to serve the local community
through food pantries, Bible studies, and relational ministry.
No, mission trips can be highly impactful domestically or locally. Students can make
a significant difference right in their own hometowns or within the United States
by serving their communities and sharing their faith.
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