I’m going on a mission trip! On June 9-15, I will travel with youth
and adults from our church and four other UMC churches to White
Lake, NC. We are staying at White Lake Christian Church and Retreat
— a church whose mission is to provide housing and kitchen space
for those on church mission trips! Our group will be working on
homes in the surrounding community, making them warmer, safer,
and drier.
Last year at this same retreat center, our group of five churches
built or repaired wheelchair ramps and replaced flooring in several
different homes. We also spent time getting to know the
homeowners, sharing lunches and snacks with them, and working
alongside them. Relationship building among the youth, adults, and
homeowners is just as important to the mission as is home repair.
Of course, the mission of the trip is not just focused on the
worksites. Each evening, we all gather for youth-oriented worship
and devotion. This year’s worship theme is about building up our
identity with Jesus as our foundation. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul
wrote, “Continue encouraging each other and building each other
up (in the faith), just like you are doing already.”
We open each evening worship gathering with guitars, piano, and
singing. One of our theme songs this year is “You Say,” by Lauren
Daigle. The second verse says, “The only thing that matters now is
everything You (God) think of me. In You I find my worth, in You I
find my identity.” Look it up on Youtube!
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