Reflections on the 2010 Youth Mission Trip

More or Less

"Jesus must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30

"We live in a world that is constantly telling us we need more—more money, more popularity, more stuff. But what do you really need more of? And what do you need less of?

Jesus asks us to have less "me" things—less fear, less here and now rewards and less ego. Sometimes we even need to do less so that we can have a better relationship with Jesus. When we worry less about "me" and, instead, focus on Jesus we get more—more courage, more time to be in a relationship with God and more ability to love others."

These were the opening words in a devotional guide I was given a week ago when I arrived in Milwaukee with 16 youth and 3 other adults from Zion Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran. From Sunday till Friday (July 18-23) we were united with youth from a Presbyterian Church in Iowa, a Community Church in Michigan and a Missionary Baptist Church from St. Louis, Missouri. Together, under the leadership of the folks from YouthWorks (a multi-denominational youth mission organization created to serve youth, communities and the church) we were given the opportunity and the challenge to step out of our comfort zones and as YouthWorks likes to encourage; "Be like Jesus." In other words, we were given opportunities to serve, being the hands and feet of Christ for those who fall between the cracks, tend to be ignored and who struggle on a daily basis.

Throughout the our time together our kids served in a variety of ways: they served meals at local soup kitchens, they did minor repairs and painting jobs, they spent time with children and the elderly in various local ministries, they helped organize donations at one of the Milwaukee's largest and oldest homeless missions, and they spent time at a day camp for developmentally challenged youth and adults. Some of the work was labor intensive and some of it was emotionally challenging. In every case, those of us invovled had our eyes and hearts opened in ways we might never have imagined. And we experienced the joy that can be found when we focused more on Jesus and less on our selves.

This trip to Milwaukee was my eighth mission trip (5 in the U.S. and 3 outside the U.S).
And regardless of where I have gone, one thing remains constant—when we take time to serve others, we also are given the opportunity to have one's life changed, and transformed. Often the intent is to go and help others and to make a difference—but in the end, it is the one serving who is helped and those being served have made a huge difference in the lives of the one serving. I have yet to meet anyone who has gone on a mission trip and not come away changed in some manner. I happen to believe that is by design. On the Sunday prior to our departure I talked about how God calls individuals to step out of their comfort zones and walk where Christ walks. More importantly, God calls folks like you and me with the intent of challenging and stretching our faith in new directions. And I believe that God has no intentions of calling anyone to such a venture and then have them return home the same way they left. God desires and expects transformation. And it happens. Lives are changed. Worldviews and perceptions are altered. Seeds of new and renewed faith are planted. And we grow in faith and love toward all of God's children. And this is a good thing.

Throughout our week together in Milwaukee we took time in both the mornings and in the evenings for devotions, worship and silent reflection. The theme for this summer was centered on this notion that as disciples of Christ we are called and invited to give greater focus to Jesus and at the same time spend less time absorbed by our own needs and wants. We were encouraged to take note of the distractions that prevent us from growing in our relationship with Jesus. And we were invited to seek out quiet places both geographically and spiritually where we might be still and know God's quiet presence. These are good lessons for each of us, regardless of whether we are living and serving in distant places or right in our own backyards. There is always a need in our lives to step back and realign our priorities and values so that they greater reflect the faith we confess; as well as a need to seek and draw closer to our Lord and Savior.

I want to take this opportunity to say a word of thanks and appreciation to those of our community and beyond who have been supportive of this mission trip with your financial and prayerful support. I want to thank parents and family members who encouraged the youth involved to step out of their comfort zones to listen to the voice of God calling them to come and follow and serve. I want to thank the adult leaders (John Cook, Joyce Sundberg and Dawn Reede) who gave of their time and energy to provide guidance and support and love to the kids involved. I want to thanks the folks from YouthWorks for yet another wonderful mission experience, for opening doors and nudging us to step out to share the love and compassion of Christ. And lastly, I want to acknowledge the youth who participated in this endeavor. (Makayla Wiedewitsch, Anna Totzke, Cameron Sundberg, Spencer Slade, Orianna Scherer, Alysa Niedzielski, Cole Manthie, Andy Manoleff, John Knapp, Jake Hoskins Jr., Ashlynn Harlan, Justin Fransen, Jorgen Erickson, Andrea Dahlen, Connor Crook and Katie Blenkush) I suspect that many of you already know this, but we have some absolutely wonderful youth within our churches and community. Together they worked hard, they played well with others and they served with a spirit of joy. I could not have been prouder to be associated with this group of kids from our community. God has truly blessed our community, not so that we might boast, but so that we might be a blessing to others!