Youth Group Mission Trips

Youth Mission Trip to Monessen, Pennsylvania, July 17-25, 2005

After considerable planning and prayer, on July 17th nine youth and two adult leaders embarked on Chapel Lane Youth Group’s first week-long mission trip.

In preparation for the trip, the youth sponsored various fundraisers, including organizing and hosting a church rummage sale. The youth also obtained support for the trip from the Board of Deacons.

The trip was arranged through an organization called YouthWorks. The site selected was in the Mon Valley region located just south of Pittsburgh, on the banks of the Monongahela River. This area has long been part of the steel producing industry and although once a prosperous area, began to feel the affects of recession in 1985 with mill closings, decreased populations and increased poverty. In 1999, federal statistics reported that 10% of this county’s residents lived below the poverty level, with the same being true of almost 15% of its children.

Prior to making the trip each member of the group was required to enter a covenant with YouthWorks. The covenant stated in part:

Because I want to truly help others as Jesus did, I agree to bring a servant, joyful attitude. I understand that I am on the trip to serve God, help a community, build relationships and learn new things.

Serving God, helping a community and building relationships is exactly what occurred on the trip! The group served God and helped the community by working with two other church groups to scrape and paint the homes of two local residents. Relationships were forged not only within the work groups and those for whom the work was being performed, but also with the other youth and YouthWorks leaders who gathered every evening for meals, worship and activities.

But, most importantly, many of the youth and leaders experienced the building of a new relationship with God. The trip’s success can best be measured by comments made by the participating youth:

“This was one of the best weeks of my life”
“I don’t want this week to end”
“I will never be the same again”
“We HAVE to do this again next year”

The youth, still energized and uplifted by their July Mission experience, and wanting to share the experience with the congregation, organized and presented two worship services in late September. Sincere appreciation was extended by the youth to the congregation for their support of the trip.

Please continue showing your support and help maintain this enthusiasm by speaking to the youth or the leaders about the trip and their individual experiences. Also, consider participating in next year’s mission trip!