On July 11, 2021, 22 high school youth and 6 adults from First Christian Church-Troy, MO made the 6-hour drive Winchester, KY to serve alongside 220 other youth and adults from 7 different states. The trip was planned and operated by Group Mission Trips, a non-profit company that organizes mission trips around the globe. The youth and adults from FCC split up into smaller crews to work on 5 homes. They worked on home repair projects that ranged from rebuilding a front deck to painting an entire home. All the projects were outdoor projects this year to allow social distancing, so the crews worked tirelessly in the July heat. All the worksites had their projects completed by the end of the week, which does not always happen.
Beyond working on houses, the youth and adults from FCC Troy bonded through nightly worship and youth group discussions. Mission Trips are a great way for youth to grow closer together, and the FCC youth experienced a lot of that this summer. Group Mission Trips has a theme for each year, and this year’s theme was “Worth It.” Using the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the worships and devotions worked to show each youth that they are “Worth It” to God. This is an extremely important message for teenagers to receive in a culture that cheapens one’s worth more than enriching it.
It’s not all work and devotions during mission trip. FCC Youth enjoyed cooling off mid-week at Kentucky Kingdom Amusement and Waterpark. They rode water rides, roller coasters, and enjoyed concession stand snacks. The adults found a nice, air-conditioned restaurant inside the park. It was an enjoyable afternoon for everybody!
Mission Trips have long been a central focus of the Family and Youth Ministry at FCC Troy, and this year’s trip continues that tradition. Next year’s trip has already been scheduled to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. All are excited to serve God, eat bratwursts (Sheboygan is the home of the bratwurst), and swim in Lake Michigan!
Thanks to Rev. Seth Rash, Associate Minister of Family & Youth,
for this story and photos.