On October 27, Asbury University students shared their summer service experiences while overseas in countries with developing economies. The Deese Initiative Grant allows students to apply for aid to cover travel and service expenses. Students must submit a ten-page proposal, complete with a budget proposal, explaining their service opportunity and partnership with a non-profit or service organization in another country. This year’s recipients were: Zachary Fazio ’26, Mary Hostetter ’26, Ethan Kriesch ’26, and Sylvia (Ruthie) Williams ’26.
“Having met with and worked with these students as they developed their applications, prepared for departure, threw themselves wholeheartedly into these experiences, and transitioned back to Asbury’s campus, it was an absolute pleasure to hear them process the Deese,” said Director of Global Programs and Initiatives Ashley DeMichael. “Each one of them was brave enough to be pushed out of their comfort zone in some way.”
Fazio served in Peru with GO International on a project involving education and digital marketing and shares: “The Deese Initiative Grant gave me the opportunity to step beyond my own cultural comfort zone and into the kind of Kingdom-centered service that shapes and reshapes us time and time again.”
Hostetter served in Peru with Inca Link by supporting local children’s ministries including an after-school program and an adventure camp and shares: “I lived in Trujillo, Peru, for the summer to serve with local ministries, build relationships, and learn important aspects of international missions. By the end of the trip, I gained a family in Peru that I will always cherish and news skills that will equip me to continue pursuing cross-cultural ministry.”
Kriesch served in Ecuador with IncaLink, integrating sports ministry with adventure learning and intercultural studies, and shares: “This grant gave me the ability to travel to Ecuador and serve the communities in Yaruqui and Quito. During my time in Ecuador, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to build relationships with local people, often through the sport of soccer.”
Williams served in Southeast Asia with the Free Methodist World Missions, utilized EthnoArts and Bible translation for her project, and shares: “The time I spent in Southeast Asia this summer was such a sweet blessing. It was a joy to learn from locals about the importance of listening well to one another, the richness of working in partnership, and how to lean on God’s promises.”
“Because of their courage and submission to the Lord, these students grew immensely from last year to this year,” DeMichael said. “God has been doing new things in each of their lives. It was a privilege to get to hear them testify to his goodness and to walk alongside them as they continue to wrestle with what’s next.”
Applications for the Deese Initiative Grant are open for this coming year (2026), and they are due by January 15, 2026.
Since 2004, the Deese Initiative Grant (formerly the Asbury Initiative Program) has awarded 180 grants to 178 students who have served in 59 countries. The Deese Initiative Program encourages service opportunities for Asbury University sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors to perform volunteer work in the areas of international community; social and economic development, including credit and business cooperatives; public wellness and treatment; literacy and education; and other public services in developing countries.