How You Philly?!

"How You Philly?!....Philly good!" (an insider phrase from the week)

Thank you for partnering with me as I went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving God on a mission trip!  The following is a quick day-by-day snippet of what we did and where God was working in and through us!

Saturday, June 11th

After prayer, hugs, and goodbyes, 22 students and 3 adults piled into vans and headed for Philadelphia.  After 8 hours of driving and a few pit stops, we arrived in Bedford, Pennsylvania to spend the night. 

Sunday, June 12th

At breakfast, I challenged the mission team to make experiencing God an everyday occurrence over this next year by reading through the One Year Bible. This will allow us to make time for & experience God on a daily basis.

Afterwards, we headed to Kings Street Church in Chambersburg, PA.  The service was awesome—only a glimpse of what was to come this week.  Following the service, we met the church’s youth pastor for lunch with some of his students and then joined them in serving an organization called Samaritan’s Feet.  We moved boxes and sorted shoes before the rain came and thwarted our efforts.   

We spent a couple hours there and then departed for our final destination, accompanied by some great singing from our students (mainly the guys).  Once we arrived in Philadelphia, we joined the YouthWorks staff (the mission organization we went through) as well as two other churches (from Louisville & Toledo).  Our church formed three ministry teams that we would be serving with all week:  Hershey, Hoagies, and Water Ice (all ministry teams were named after famous Pennsylvania foods/places).  The Hoagies and Hershey teams were made up of First Church students and adults; whereas, Water Ice had five members from First Church and five members from the church in Toledo.  

Each evening, all the churches joined together for club time (teambuilding activities, worship, and lessons) and church group time (opportunity for discussion, processing the day, and sharing our hearts, which became the best part of each day).

Monday, June 13th

Starting Monday morning, we would spend the next four days serving at various non-for-profit organizations.  This particular day the Hoagies spent time at Teens For Good, an organization that does urban gardening encouraging teens to get involved and give back to their community.  Water Ice partnered with a local thrift store near our mission base called Circle Thrift Store.  Hershey walked through Chinatown and went to downtown Philadelphia to serve at the Eliza Shirley House (Salvation Army), an emergency shelter for women and children. 

An inspiring and life changing story came from the Hoagies ministry team today.  Oddly enough, they started their day believing that all they were going to be doing was pulling weeds!  God had bigger plans for them!  As soon as they got there, they were met by their instructor, a man named Henry.  Henry changed their life!  He had an extremely rough story, but found God in prison and committed his life to Him.  While pulling weeds, Henry left the garden to talk with a homeless man, Daniel, on the street.  After sharing his faith with him and giving him food and water, Henry introduced Daniel to our ministry team.  Our students got the chance to hear Daniel’s story, engage with him, encourage him, challenge him, and then circle up and pray over Daniel.  After leaving Daniel, Henry was not to be found.  Once the Hoagies found Henry, he told them that God had called him to bring Daniel in to the garden, but Daniel was not opening up to him; God had placed these people from Columbia City, Indiana to encourage Daniel and have him open up to them. 

After dinner, everyone hopped into a van and traveled to the Philadelphia Museum of Art… a.k.a. the “Rocky Steps” and raced to the top! 

Tuesday, June 14th

Day two of our journey included both the Hoagies and Hershey serving with the same organization as the first day.  Water Ice, however, partnered with a non-for-profit organization called Veteran’s United.  They got the opportunity to talk with homeless people, hand out food to them, hear their stories, and pray over them.  Each day was so remarkable to see how God was using each of team member’s individual passions and gifts for each situation set before us.

That evening, each ministry team performed hilarious skits for the rest of the group.  Our own Hoagies came out victorious, presenting the story of Jonah and the whale in a whole new fashion (Finding Nemo even made a cameo)! 

Wednesday, June 15th

Today brought new experiences as each group headed to a place it had never been before:  Hoagies to Whosoever Gospel Mission (rescue mission for men that helps with food, clothing, training, & counseling), Water Ice to Eliza Shirley House, and Hershey to the Ken Crest Center (children’s center for those with disabilities).

During the evening, we had the wonderful privilege of going to a gospel church service at Greater Exodus Baptist Church.  This service was completely different than anything we were used to in Columbia City, Indiana!  The first hour of the service was devoted to individual and group prayer time.  We were blown away by the hospitality that the people in this church showed, along with their desire and passion for the Lord!  It was evident that God was moving in and through this church.

Thursday, June 16th

Our last ministry day!  It all goes by so quick.  All three ministry teams were supposed to go back to the same ministry sites as they did yesterday.  However, God had a different plan in mind.  That morning, the Water Ice group (mixed of two churches) was told they were going to be serving at the Philabundance Food Bank.  Praise the Lord!  The group got to spend a good amount of time in discussion with the other church about their faith and what a personal relationship with Jesus looks like.

In the evening, YouthWorks partnered with the host church to have a cookout for the community in the park across the street.  Kids, teens, and adults from all over came for burgers and hotdogs as well as dancing and games.  Many of our students had great opportunities to invest in and be intentional in their conversations with these people. 

During our last night together, we had a foot washing service.  The leaders washed each one of the students’ feet and prayed over us individually.  By the end of the night, students were washing one another’s feet and praying over each other (and crying).  What an incredible sight to see! 

Earlier in the day, the Water Ice group had some great conversations with some members from another church.  They decided to meet together after the foot washing service to continue their discussion.  That night, four of First Church’s students had the wonderful privilege of sharing their faith with these other youth and leading them through the prayer of salvation, asking Jesus to personally come into their hearts, and to follow Him!  What an AMAZING way to end such a God-designed week for everyone in our group! 

Friday, June 17th

Friday was an early morning as we packed up our vehicles and said our goodbyes.  Before we left, we rode on the subway and got to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.  Then, after 11 hours of driving, we returned home to family and friends, forever changed and inspired to serve God.

The best is yet to come!

Luke