New York and Beyond

Over spring break I along with three other churches will take off for the Big Apple to serve for a week. This is going to be an amazing trip and I believe that it will be one of many other trips. I have spent time praying and seeking God on where he would like for us to go next. As I was praying and searching online I came across this website City Connexx. At first I was looking at the prices but as I started reading I found that this group was more then just a mission trip booking company. This group was about connecting other ministers in cities across America. There ministry is based off of Acts 1:8. 

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The point is that we are called to serve with in our own community. Our youth have grown to understand that and they do a very good job at outreach and understanding the needs of others. We are also called to reach out to our neighbors. I was also looking at the price and they start as low as $110.00 plus transportation there. You are connected and they ask that you build a relationship with the people there and make that your mission field. The had the following on their website.

Even if you are going global with your missions program for 2010, here are some serious things to consider. As youth leaders, we risk teaching our students that being missional is an expensive something you "go to". It needs to be something we all become. Seriously, we need to offer our students both options, global and US, not one or the other.

• Help our students understand and live the whole Great Commission
• How often can a student (or parents) afford international? Big bucks $$
• How often can a student (or parents) go international?
• What about the youth that can't afford it? Don’t they deserve to be missional also?
• What about using a less expensive USA mission strategy to help your students reach out to their friends and other students in your area or in their school?
• What about an active Jerusalem or Judea mission program for your Jr. High or Middle School students?
• Your impact will be felt long after you and your students leave
• Make lasting relationships- we want you and your students to stay connected and we will help you do just that

So my prayer is that this summer we will take another trip and take another group of students either in the Denver area that is 12 hours away or in the Houston area that is 8 hours away. I know more information on Denver and we would serve at a Hip-hop church. It is in an inner city area, they have many recovery and prevention programs for children and teens. Houston I am going to have to call and get details on. My prayer is that we build a relationship with people and we make it apart of our ministry.