Close your eyes and imagine this: Your youth group coming back on fire for God, thrilled to be His servants, and challenged to reach your home community for Jesus Christ. Could it be possible? We have seen it happen many times when youth are given the opportunity to go on a mission trip.

WHY SHOULD YOU GO?

Builds Compassion: Many youth testify that since being overseas, they have grown more compassionate and have become much more aware of needs around them.

Changes Perspective: By experiencing a new culture, a young person's world-view and perspective on life grows tremendously.

Unifies Group: The youth group often becomes united and grows significantly as a group as the go through a common stretching experience.

Produces Spiritual Growth: For many youth, these trips are "gateways to God" in that God becomes more real and personal to them.

Builds God's Kingdom: God will use your youth to advance His kingdom and His purpose while on outreach.

Blesses People: Your youth group can bring much needed help and encouragement to the missionary or indigenous worker they are assisting.

WHERE COULD YOU GO?

The following locations are likely open to receiving youth group teams for the summer of 2007.

Living Hope Native Ministries is located in Ontario, Canada and works with Native Americans on the reservations.  Outreach possibilities include running Vacation Bible Schools on native reserves and physical labor at the Stormer Lake Retreat Center.  Any size group welcome.  Please contact Lamar Weaver at Office@LivingHopeNativeMinistres.org for more information.

Rosedale Bible College is located in rural Irwin, Ohio and hosts work groups to do landscaping, remodeling, and other general maintenance projects around the campus.  Groups may also participate in joint projects and ministries associated with Rosedale Mennonite Missions.  Group size:  less than 40 people.  Please contact Business Manager, Alfred Yoder at ayoder@rosedale.edu for more information.

LABOR Teams are hosted by RMM missionaries, Dwane and Karen Schlabach, in Managua, Nicarauga.  Groups will be involved in both manual labor and ministry activies.  Ministry possibilities include Vacation Bible Schools, music and drama presentations, and work at an orphanage.  Any size group welcome. For more information, please contact Dwane at laborteams@aol.com.

Pura Vida Missions is located in Costa Rica.  After completing a three day discipleship and outreach training, youth will participate in children’s ministry, service projects, street evangelism, servant evangelism, house to house evangelism.  For more information, please contact Director, DeLynn Hoover at info@puravidamissions.org.

World Impact St. Louis provides a 5-day summer day camp for inner city children and youth.  Groups are involved in all aspects of the camp including Bible time, crafts, games, drama, dance, and much more.  Other activities include service projects and servant evangelism.  Group size:  up to 20.  For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Beth Carroll at bcarroll@worldimpact.org.  

Bethel Camp is situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky.  The camp is looking for groups to assist with various work projects around the campgrounds.  Group size:  4 to 30 people. For more information, please contact Camp Director, Roger Voth at grow@bethelcamp.org. 

Aim Right Ministries of Phoenix, Arizona reaches out to many inner city children and youth through recreation, summer and after school programs.  The ministry could use groups to help with their Vacation Bible School and other outreaches. Manual labor projects are also available.  Group size:  under 30.  for more information, please contact Darrell Bacher at Darrell@aimright.com.

City Challenge is SEND Ministries’ 5-day inner city experience in Columbus, Ohio.  The program is packed with discipleship training as well as many opportunities to serve and minister in places like homeless shelters, parks, and the rec center.  Group size:  up to 35.  For more information, contact Administrative Assistant, Angela Maust at angela@rmmoffice.org.  

World Impact Dallas provides outreach opportunities for mission teams to impact urban children and youth through VBS camps and work projects.  For more information, contact Amy Utigard at autigard@worldimpact.org. 

These locations have dedicated workers that will help facilitate your youth group's outreach. Language will potentially be a barrier in some cases; however, hugs and acts of kindness have no communication barrier. There may be opportunities for your group to give programs or perform dramas, mimes and music. There will be work and service assignments that will bless the local ministry tremendously.

HOW COULD GROUPLINK ASSIST YOU?

Rosedale Mennonite Missions specializes in partnering with youth groups in the following four areas:

Work with Missionaries and Pastors: We will hook you up with service opportunities alongside of experienced missionaries and pastors.

All Other Details Pertaining to the Trip: Also upon request, we can provide help with flights, visas, airport pick-up in country, lodging on-site, and overall structure for the trip.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

Call or email us as soon as possible stating your interest. We will discuss location costs, and other details with you at that time.

Work with your youth group to find out what month and week is available for most to go.
Begin to plan a budget and consider fundraisers to do as a group. (Mennonite Mutual Aid (MMA) has a Youth Group Service Grant which gives money to youth groups doing mission projects outside of their home community. See your church's MMA Advocate for more information.)

WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW?

If you are considering an overseas trip, your youth will most likely need to obtain passports. Begin working on this immediately. And don't hesitate to contact us if you need help along these lines. You will want to plan for adequate adult sponsors to accompany your group. This depends on the age of your youth group and how mature they are.