Gary Rossin has served in some form of Alabama Baptist campus ministry since 1999, and now he and his wife, Marie, will take their love of sharing the gospel and pouring into people’s lives to the missions field of Brazil.
Rossin started serving as an intern at the University of Alabama in 1999 and then became a state missionary with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) in 2001. He was the associate campus minister at the University of South Alabama from 2001 to 2006 and then at Auburn University and Southern Union State Community College (Opelika campus) until Dec. 31, 2012.
Rossin, who holds a bachelor of arts degree from Auburn and a master of divinity degree from Beeson Divinity School of Samford University in Birmingham, said campus ministries “had a huge impact” on his life as a student and he “sensed the Lord directing … into collegiate ministries.”
But now, after years of serving college students and “loving it,” Rossin senses the same strong calling to international missions, he said.
“God would have to call us to leave [campus ministries] because I love it so much,” Rossin said. “But we want to obey. [Marie] and I both felt the Lord stirring our hearts (for international missions).”
The Rossins will serve as missionary apprentices with the International Mission Board, leaving for Brazil this spring. When they arrive, they will take language courses for a period of time. Their main task will then be to mentor people groups in “very rural areas … out in the Amazon jungle,” Rossin said.
Mike Nuss, director of the SBOM office of collegiate and student ministries, said Rossin has a “deep, deep love for students” and “a strong desire to see them come to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
And Nuss said the prayers of campus ministers, state missionaries and hundreds of students “go with [the Rossins]” as they travel overseas.
“Gary and Marie are clearly following God’s call on their lives to missions service in Brazil,” Nuss continued. “(Now) Gary has the unique experience of actually doing what he’s been challenging students to do — answer God’s call to missions service.”
Rossin emphasized the importance and blessing of the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. He also noted Alabama Acts 1:8 Connections and said he looks forward to partnering with Alabama Baptists once he and his family are serving in Brazil.
(Neisha Fuson)
EDITOR'S NOTE — Names changed for security reasons.
Share with others: