In June 2023, our church’s youth group, First Students, went on a mission trip to South Carolina with an organization called FUGE Camps. Six students and two adults spent a week on a college campus from where we launched to do our work at different mission sites.
Our group helped with various local community projects including organizing a food pantry and clean-up work at a local thrift store. Other groups worked with Boys and Girls Clubs, assisted-living centers, schools, and other nonprofits to bless the community we were visiting. In the evening, we returned to campus for worship, reflection, Bible study, meaningful conversations, lots of fun, and little sleep.
Hearing from these students is probably the most effective way to grasp the trip’s impact on them. Alexa said, “It was an amazing experience that really grew my faith and helped me see how I wanted to live the rest of my life.” Alexa’s quote isn’t an exaggeration. After coming home, she stepped up to lead a Bible study at her high school and was confirmed and ordained as a youth deacon at First Church.
Another student, Rylan, shared, “The mission trip was such an overwhelming and wonderful experience. For the first time, I felt like I truly knew God and felt his love stronger than ever. It was a great way to connect with my faith and those around me. I got to help people, learn about Christianity, and have fun while doing all of it. The best part was that those connections came home with me, and now I have great friends, mentors, and a better relationship with God. I’m so excited to return for more fun and learn more about myself and my faith.” We ordained Rylan as a youth elder for 2024. And as she indicated, we returned to FUGE Camp this year!
In 2024, our attendance was more than double last year’s with fourteen students and four adults back in South Carolina for another memorable week. Ask our students, and they won’t tell you they were most excited for the loud music, the long van ride, or even the giant mega relay race at 10PM the last night we’re there. Instead, they were most excited to experience God’s presence and serve his people. These are the amazing young people of our church! There’s something special about being on a mission and serving together that can transform individual hearts and a group’s culture.
by Steve Clark
