Many churches are starting up Mission Trips after a pause or change due COVID. It is great to see everyone being the hands and feet of Christ in our word.

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Lake North

First UMC of Arlington Heights Senior High youth headed to St. Louis where they worked with Amen St. Louis, immersing themselves in the city's culture, its justice issues, and the regenerative work going on there that's bringing hope and healing to its people. Evenings were spent having leisurely adventures around the city, making food together, playing games, and deepening those bonds of friendship that only mission trips can forge. A week after their visit, there was a fire next door to New Roots, the urban farm they were working with on days 3 and 4. The church is focusing their mission efforts in August helping them to rebuild. Find out more about their trip here and their August mission here.

First UMC of Evanston's high school youth and adult leaders headed for Appalachia for a week of service with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) . Before the work week began, they found some time to try outdoor rock climbing! Amidst many mission projects they celebrated 25 years of dedicated service with the families of Central Appalachia through ASP in Harlan County, KY.

Glenview UMC participated in a Mission trip with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) in Knott County, KY. They spent the entire week serving a family in Carrie, KY. Glenview UMC has been serving with ASP for 40+ years, generations of church members love sharing their stories about when they went and listening to the stories of all our recent ASPers! 

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Lake South

First UMC in LaGrange sent a large team of 105 to serve with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP)at the end of July! This was the church’s 29th year of service with ASP. They had a blast beating the heat while building relationships with neighbors in Dickenson County, VA.

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Prairie Central

In July, 26 youth and 12 adults from the Tri-City Methodists (Geneva UMC, Batavia UMC and St. Charles: Baker Memoral UMC) went down to Breathitt County, KY to rehab houses with "Appalachia Service Project".  The group was honored by the presence of ASP's CEO Walter Crouch who gave them a gift for volunteering for their 40th year! They took out drywall and insulation that had black mold from last summer's great flood, built new porches, new roofs, and installed new flooring and doors at 6 houses.

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Prairie North

This year 18 youth and 4 adult chaperones from Roscoe UMC went to Mission, SD with Group Mission Trips. They served with 21 churches from 9 states with a total 258 campers. The work involved painting houses, as well as building decks and wheelchair ramps for residents on the Rosebud Reservation.

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Prairie South

Oregon UMC's 2023 Dangerous Hope Mission Team served with Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project).  The team consisted of 27 teens and 11 adults. The team stayed 2 nights at Donelson Heights UMC in Nashville prior to camp. Once the arrived to Mountain T.O.P. , they participated in home repairs, including a small deck construction and helping in a roof replacement. Another aspect of their trip was helping with a Day Camp for kids in the country that provided field trips, crafts, games, bible verses, prayer and a family celebration. Austin, one of Oregon's former youth, was on our summer staff, and his sister and brother were on the mission trip team.  Each night was full of fellowship, games, worship, and so much growth.

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We would love to hear your stories and see your photos.

Share with us by sending information and photos to LSmith@UMCNIC.org. We will update the story as we get more information.