“Short-term youth mission trips may be the most beneficial spiritual growth experiences I have ever done with the youth of my church.” That statement was made by a youth leader in one of our CBC congregations, and it is true for many reasons.
First, these experiences provide youth with an opportunity to see another culture and meet believers from that culture. This makes them start to realize that the church is more than what they experience in their own communities. It introduces them to people whose lives are very different than their own but who still trust in the same Savior as the foundation of their faith. They are looking forward to going to the same heavenly home and are praying to the same God about their fears, pains, and sorrows.
Secondly, the youth find a sense of purpose as they help people with food, stoves, Bibles, and other services, and see the difference they are making. We have heard many youths talk about how they felt that what they were doing really mattered.
Thirdly, it helps these young people put their own lives in perspective. We often take our blessings in the United States for granted. Yes, we have our problems, and yes, there are those who truly struggle here, but most don’t realize how blessed we are to take a hot shower and have plenty to eat, to have comfortable cars to take us where we need to go, and to not see our fathers walk to work where they will hoe coffee plants 10 hours a day for $7 to $10. The list could go on.
In any event, we are making plans now to go to Guatemala June 6 –15, 2026. We expect the cost to run about $1,500 per person, depending on housing and transportation expenses. That covers everything except spending money. Youth in 9th grade through college can participate, and 7th and 8th graders can also go if accompanied by a parent. Youth leaders are welcome as well.
This trip is capped at 35 participants as housing is limited. We will stay in a private facility in San Juan and make trips up into the mountains to serve the poorer communities with food, cookstoves, water filtration systems, and the Gospel. We will also do service work at a local Christian School. If you have persons interested in going, contact Bro Craig Howard at craig.howard@covenantbrethren.org for more information and to start the process.
