YIM : Resources : Stories

An experience of Serving Christ in the World shared by Alec Barland of Payson, AZ.

While on the flight headed to Chicago, I will admit I was having some second thoughts about taking on such a new challenge. As soon as my pastor asked me if I wanted to be a part of the Youth in Mission, Serving Christ in the World program, I immediately agreed because it sounded like an experience that I would enjoy. In March 2006, I traveled with a group of faith-driven people to Senegal, Africa. Throughout the trip, I found a common thread. I discovered that all of the people I met had so much love in their hearts; they were all filled with the love of Christ. After that experience, I realized that I wanted to become more faith based and learn as much as I could about God. With that inspiration in mind I nervously traveled to Chicago.

As I arrived riding down the airport escalator, I saw two bright faces. Tom and Josh were waiting to take me to the Lutheran School of Theology. At that moment, all of my worries disappeared. For the next few weeks, we had some very intense sessions that included talks about prayer, faith, scripture, and religion. During those classes I saw how far I have traveled in my life journey. I saw many different aspects of faith that amazed me. The classes widened my perception on everything we talked about. We met as covenant groups to discuss and assess what had just been presented to us. These few people in your covenant group also became your best friends. I could tell them how was I feeling, how I was struggling with something, and just open up to them. The Serving Christ in the World program introduces you to new concepts and shows you how to look at the world in a new way. Your covenant group becomes your stronghold.

When we landed in Mexico, we were taken to the Lutheran Center where we met Kim and Heidi. These were our guides that would help us better understand the political, economic and environmental issues in Mexico. As a whole group our eyes were opened and we realized that the mainstream news doesn’t show how the innocent suffer for what others have done.

One of the most intense experiences of the whole trip happened on our last day in Mexico City. We were debriefing what we had experienced by using artwork, creating both murals and human sculptures. As I walked into the room to observe the re-creations, the emotion in the room was over-whelming. As the group members recreated the tragedies we had learned about, we could feel their pain and struggles. But, we could also feel their strength in God. I could feel God pulling away fear, doubt, and helplessness from his people. It was an unforgettable moment in my life.

I want others to experience this trip as fully as I did. Through Serving Christ in the World, I learned more about myself, others, and God than I could have ever asked for. Participate in YIM, and experience faith in a new way.

Kevin Rogers a high school senior from Rochelle, IL shares his three week experience in Youth in Mission’s Serving Christ in the World program

When my mom told me about Youth in Mission’s Serving Christ in the World program, I was excited and decided I wanted to apply because I had been on a similar trip the previous year and thought that I would benefit from this program.

As I arrived at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, I was both nervous and excited. I was nervous about being away from my parents for three weeks, but I was excited because I knew that God was going to work through the staff to help make the YIM trip an unforgettable event.

I was really surprised by how our group came together the first couple of days. Even though we were different people from different places across the United States, we were connected by the common purpose of serving Christ in the world. I think that common purpose helped us to get to know each other. Our group genuinely felt like a family after just a few days.

Our first days in Chicago were amazing and only got better as the program continued. The first sessions helped me to open myself up to different ways of thinking and living. I am grateful that the professors and other speakers took time out of their days to come and talk to us. One of my favorite trips that we went on before Mexico was to the mosque. As I sat in the Islamic College, with a plate of delicious food in front of me, I thought how amazing it was that our hosts were so open about their faith. I like how honest they were in answering our questions.

When we went to Mexico, I felt a little self conscious about my ability to speak Spanish. I was relieved to find that the people in Mexico were very patient and helpful when I was speaking Spanish with them. I know in the United States most people would have been irritated if a foreigner were stumbling over English.

Our stay in Mexico was unforgettable. The Lutheran Center was my favorite place that we stayed. The talks, discussions, and games we had there were both challenging and instructive. There were uncomfortable times at the Center, but I think those times helped us to open up more to the speakers. My favorite talks were about the history of Mexico and immigration issues. These two talks spoke to me in ways that are hard to describe. I saw that even though Mexico has many problems, God continues to work there through the daily lives of people. I also thought it was amazing how people live more simply than we do in the United States. In Mexico, there is more emphasis on family and giving than the individual and materialism. When we arrived back in Chicago and later when going home, I felt like a changed person. I felt called to help others more than I had ever before. The trip helped me understand my view of God and helped me grow in my relationship with Him. I don’t think I could ever thank the staff of the trip enough because they helped me more than I even know. Our trip was filled with times of laughter, tears, friendship, but mostly, our trip was filled with God, and that is why Youth in Mission is a trip I will never forget.

SCITW 2008 Dates: June14 - July 6

YIM : Youth in Mission, a ministry of LSTC