(Add your information. We can be “Co-Writers!”)
by Lyle Griner, National Peer Ministry Director
Normally I ask you to sign up, pay the deposit, come to informational meetings, attend trainings, raise money, send notes to let you know final fees are due, give you packing lists, contact information, itineraries and all that great stuff. This ultimate trip has none of that. This is your perpetual mission trip. This is the one you are called to every day, everywhere and in every relationship.
You are already on this mission trip. We just forgot to tell you about it. Pause, look around you! What do you see, hear, sense, sometimes pass by, sometimes stop to listen? People! With people, come all the great joys and the great sorrows of life. Notice who is left out. Notice whose family is changing. Notice who is struggling with a relationship. Notice who is being bullied, who struggles with eating disorders, who is hurting in some way?
Who needs you to listen, encourage, acknowledge they exist, guide to a trusting adult, or celebrate their triumph? Whom do you get to love because Christ first loved you? Your ministry is people ministry. Your ministry is caring, welcoming and affirming people. Stop. Look around. Stop worrying so much about what everybody thinks of you. Get outside of yourself. Be different. Dare to make a difference where you are.
Welcome to your ultimate mission trip!
Our youth ministry is really a leadership ministry that is about people. You know people! We gather to give you people skills. We gather in order to help you help others. We gather to help you respond to the love of God. We gather to cheer you on. We gather to support you in your ministry, your journey, living that mission trip every day, everywhere and in every relationship.
(Add your own church’s information!)
- Join us for The Vine every Wednesday night. Our ministry, led by kids to support kids in your ministry with other kids!
- Join us for this summer’s mission trip. We go away on an adventure of serving in order to be better at caring for the people next to us in school, work, neighborhoods and even in our own families.
- Join us for Peer Ministry Leadership Camp. It’s the Good Samaritan story, but instead of preaching and teaching it, we give you skills to live it!
(Written by Lyle Griner © 2014 Peer Ministry Leadership. Permission to reprint granted for local church communications. I would love to hear how it is used!)
