Nonprofits Buckner International and Campbellsville University announce the signing of a memorandum of understanding to provide students with opportunities to serve communities in Mexico and Texas.

Universities around the U.S. partner with Buckner so students can work with the faith-based ministry to care for vulnerable children, strengthen families and enhancing the quality of life for senior adults. The five-year cooperation agreement with Campbellsville ensures its students’ involvement in mission trips, internships and collection drives.

The MOU was signed between Dr. Michael Carter, Campbellsville University president, and Dr. Albert Reyes, Buckner International president and CEO.

“We are pleased to enter into a relationship with Buckner International. Given our similar commitment to serving others makes for an opportunity for Campbellsville University students to find new ways to be involved in mission service to others,” Dr. Carter said.

Buckner will provide at least one designated staff liaison to Campbellsville for all Buckner ministries in Texas and Mexico, which will include extensive logistical support to groups traveling internationally. Buckner will also provide opportunities for students to do semester-long internships, while Campbellsville will in turn host annual collections of materials for use in Mexico, such as hygiene kits, backpacks, socks, water purification kits and more.

Over the past several years, Dr. Reyes has visited Campbellsville’s campus as a guest lecturer – however, Buckner’s ties to the area go back much further. Founder Robert Cooke Buckner spent much of his adolescence in Somerset, Ky., about 50 miles from Campbellsville. Buckner’s father was pastor to Somerset Church from 1838 to 1853.

“Partnering with Campbellsville makes sense on so many levels,” stated Dr. Reyes. “Our history is tied to the university, while our future is in the hands of its students. We hope the mission trips will inspire Campbellsville’s future leaders to lead lives of service, whether it be in politics, academics, business or possibly with nonprofits like Buckner.”