Next Generation Ministry Blog

This year, Trinity took 7 people to New Kensington, PA (a northern suburb of Pittsburgh) to join in a Week of Hope.  It was an awesome opportunity to serve a community through organizations already serving in that community.  In other words, we came as help to the women and men already serving in, caring for, and pursuing people in that community.  

Our students served a number of organizations around New Kensington: Sonward, World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, and Kids' Closet.  Upon arriving at our home for the week, each of us was assigned a Crew we would work on throughout the week (Yup, you read correctly.  We were separated during the day, serving along side the youth and adults from around the county).  After meeting our crews, we were settled in for the evening program, an opportunity to sing, dive into scripture and be encouraged for the work of the week.    

Our typical day was: breakfast at 7AM, Morning Program, Off to work sites at 830am, work from 9AM-4PM, Return to home base for showers, and some downtime, before dinner and the evening program.  Our night were rounded off by time together as a team, walking through the day and processing those places where we say God working.  For us, this was best done over FroYo. 

We did have one night off to explore the city of Pittsburgh and to enjoy community with one another.  Not to mention, some local food.

Um, to say this was amazing is severely understated. The remainder of our night provided an opportunity to ride up the side of a mountain, to view the city we'd been serving and to pray for God to continue his work there.

All in all, the trip was an incredible opportunity to serve, to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and to learn the kind of difference that can be made when the church comes together.  

I know I'm already looking forward to next summer when we return to a Week of Hope with our 7th, 8th and 9th Graders.