This past summer, Chantal Carrillo and I took a group of 10 youth to Lynden, Washington, for our church’s first experience of SERVE. Going on missions trips is not new to our congregation, but it was a new experience for our youth and Therefore GO is a new partner organization for us. If you had a chance to hear from the youth about their trip, you would know that it was great and they were eager to go in the summer of 2025.

Good news! Living Hope Youth is going on SERVE again! July 26 to August 2 we will be in Woodstock, Ontario! We are looking ahead to a busy week serving the community there by partnering with ministries that address food insecurity, seniors help, and a variety of social support services.

There will be lots to do as we prepare for SERVE. Organizing travel, establishing packing lists, and lots of spiritual preparation. We want to invite the whole congregation to support the team in a couple of ways.

1. PRAYER | Before, during and after are the best times to pray for the youth. Pray that God would make himself know to them in their preparation, their work, and the way that they come home changed from the experience.
2. PRAYER PARTNERS | Want to pray more intentionally? Last year our youth were blessed by a hand-written note every day (and a little treat). Would you be willing to write out 8 notes for our youth and leaders for their time away? If you did it last year, you are welcome to again (for the same youth or someone new!).
3. FUNDRAISING | We are anticipating the costs to be around $1500 per youth. It is our hope to have another fundraising dinner and auction in late February or early March. This will be a fun time for the youth to serve the congregation and showcase what they learned last year at SERVE and what their hopes are for this year.