Youth on Mission
God is at work all around us. We saw this abroad in Guatemala this summer, and we’ve experienced God moving in our midst this school year in our weekly youth ministry to local students. It’s also been great to be on mission with God across the U.S. as our youth ministry has been heavily invested in serving in Southern California since 2011.
Every three years, we join with other NAB youth groups across Canada and the U.S. to serve locally throughout the day and worship together at night at a weeklong missions’ immersion called, The Gathering. We have a chance to partner with NAB ministries like Love Orange and Love Anaheim, who serve in these areas all year long. These hybrid mission trips have heavily impacted the youth who have participated in huge ways. I’ve also had the privilege of serving on the NAB Youth Ministry Leadership Team for the past 3 Youth Gathering. On this team, I’ve had the chance to organize and lead them, which has been great. I’ve stepped off that team now and look forward to focusing solely on leading our group this summer. :)
Here's a little snippet from the NAB regarding the purpose and focus of this week. “The Gathering: A youth conference and missions experience that provides students with a variety of thoughtful encounters to dive deeper in faith, community, and service as an opportunity to become ambassadors for Jesus in Orange County, with the ultimate goal of inspiring them to serve God and others when they return home.
The Gathering is the only venue that assembles students from across the NAB in one place for a time of worship, service, transformation, and fun.”
So, why a newsletter article about The Gathering in December? Because we’re currently assembling our 2025 team, and we want our M.S. & H.S. students to consider joining us! The theme is “Here and Home” and I have no doubt that they’ll serve in huge ways during the week, but they’ll also bring back home an outward focused, renewed faith that has the potential to impact friends, classmates, neighbors, and family members. When mission comes home with students, that can be a powerful thing!
We wanted to give families a chance to consider and pray about this through the Christmas season, so no sign up is required until January 8th. There is a registration link and more info that can be found at www.steamboatbaptist.org/youth.
When: July 13-20, 2025 (Sunday to a Sunday)
Location: Hope International University, Fullerton, CA
Cost: Roughly $1,200 (Personal investment- $425, Fundraising-$400, Scholarship- $400).
Team Size: Approximately 30-40 students and leaders
Travel Plans: Airplane
If you want to hear some neat stories from students who were a part of the 2022 Gathering, take a look at these links from the last Gathering. I think you’ll recognize a few of them. J You can also see a highlight video that you can watch as a family, to get a sense of what The Gathering is like.
https://vimeo.com/showcase/11415611
Our youth will hear more about this opportunity throughout December, but please reach out to Bryce with any questions you may have.
Blessings,
Bryce
