Last week 21 middle school students and five adults from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN went on a YouthWorks mission trip to Denver. Besides serving people in Denver, God was at work in these kids’ hearts. Read what they had to say about how their lives were transformed on the trip.
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“This past week changed my life in so many ways. I made friends that I know I will have forever. I grew my relationship with our God. My group served at a nursing home, disability school and preschool. This trip, overall, showed me what my path is in life, and that path is to serve.” –Angela
“This week I was with the Denver Metro Ministries Sidewalk Sunday School. They go in the streets and spread the Gospel to little kids in the neighborhoods around Denver. I saw God in Pastor John and all the other volunteers. The kids were so enthusiastic about learning about God’s Word, and Pastor John made it fun with puppet shows and balloon ministries. Not only did I learn about others, I learned about myself. For one of the first times, I was with people I had never met, and they treated me how I was on the inside and not the outside. This week I made some friends I will have forever. My group was with two kids from Idaho. They were so supportive of all of us and they hardly noticed that I had a limp or a brace on my left leg. It was so nice not to be defined by my appearance on the outside, but by my heart. I knew those kids for just four days, and they were already like a brother and sister to me. I saw that I was worth more than I knew and God has a great plan for my life.” –Sadie
“I didn’t really think God was all that powerful. I now see He is way powerful and controls everything we do and say. I now know he is a great God and helps me through whatever I need help with… I understand that God made me just the way he wanted to. He made me just the way I am for many reasons. There are bad things in the world, but we can take over the bad with good! I learned you can serve anywhere, and it doesn’t matter how old you are and who you are.” –Kayla
“I have always understood God, but I had many doubts, and they were proven wrong this week.” –Payton
“I feel like I know God more, and I know that he will always be there for me. I now know that I can make a difference in people’s lives by serving them. I saw how lucky I am to be where I am and to have what I have.” –Angela
“I feel more important than I have ever felt. I used to have really low confidence, but as the week progressed, I learned God has a plan and loves me for who I am. I have learned that there is help needed everywhere – not just Denver, but even in your community. When serving, you have to put others’ opinions before your own and find a way to balance and use everyone’s talents to serve others.” –Taylor
“The world is a beautiful plan with good and troubled people but they are all my brothers and sisters.”
“Jesus was the ultimate servant leader and we must set aside all prejudice and selfishness to be good servants.” –Amy
“This week, I learned that there is a nice and not crazy side in me.” –Nyla
“Following Jesus takes a lot more than praying and praising and you have to be willing to serve those below you and be more humble.” –Luke
“After I got my feet washed, my understanding of God got stronger. It was like God was there talking to me.” –Allyson
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Quotes provided by
Beth Feltes, Family Ministry Director
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burnsville, MN
YouthWorks MidStates Region 