Senior Colton Cox is preparing for an extraordinary chapter as he sets out on a two-year mission trip to Madrid, where he will serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Cox will dedicate himself to community outreach, spiritual teaching and acts of service across Spain.
For Cox, this mission is more than a personal endeavor, it’s a continuation of a family tradition. He follows in the footsteps of his father and other relatives who have completed similar missions around the world.
“For me, it’s about growing as a person and serving those around me,” Cox said.
To prepare for this transformative experience, Cox has been diligently studying the Spanish language and its culture. He’s also drawing from past experiences — most notably, a two-week humanitarian trip to Colombia — which gave him a glimpse into international service work.
Cox’s father, Damon Cox, a pediatric anesthesiologist and devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, couldn’t be prouder of his son. As a young man, Damon himself served as a missionary in Colombia and continues to serve internationally through the Church and medical field.
“You learn to appreciate people the most when you’re serving them,” Damon explained.
For the Cox family, these missions are more than a rite of passage, they are a calling. Of Damon’s 11 siblings, nine have served missions around the world, dedicating themselves to service and faith. These journeys are far from leisurely, however. They require discipline, resilience and unwavering commitment.
“The daily life of a missionary is rigorous,” Damon explained. “You wake up at six o’clock, start with scripture study and spend the day teaching and serving until nine at night. It’s six days a week of dedicated service.”
Beyond the physical and spiritual demands, Damon sees these missions as unparalleled opportunities for personal growth.
“When you leave, you’re just a teenager,” Damon said. “When you come back, it feels like you’ve grown 15 years.”
After completing his mission, Colton plans to attend Brigham Young University (BYU), viewing this experience as a pivotal step in his personal and spiritual growth. For now, he’s focused on the challenges and rewards that await him in Spain.
