Pulse Youth Mission Trips

We are the Youth of Community in Christ Lutheran Church, 7621 Cornelius North Carolina 28031

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Photos of our 2017 Mission work with the Family Empowerment Center with Envision Ministries.

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The Youth Page of Pulse Youth

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Adam Zimmerman

My trip to Chicago was truly an amazing and eye opening experience. Throughout the week I became closer to god. His plan for me this week was far greater than I anticipated. We encountered many different ethnicities, races, customs, and cultures. Although our mission work this week was in the United States, it was humbling to see how fortunate I am. When we first arrived in Chicago it was amazing! The tall buildings surrounded you and cars were everywhere. We toured the city on Sunday as well. Monday came around and vacation bible school started. We spent that day getting to know the kids and started warming up to the other church groups that were there. After the kids left we hung out at the center. We met a homeless lady named Melissa. Melissa was a mom of 4 kids and had twins on the way. Her 4 adult kids and her husband got into a dispute and left Melissa to fend for herself 10 years ago. She lives on the streets now and does anything to get money. She lives behind the Family Empowerment Center that we were staying in. It was a pretty cold that night and she had not drank any clean water for the past few days. So our group gave her a sweatshirt and a bottle of water. It was a very sad and interesting encounter with her. The next couple days went pretty smooth. Thursday was my last day of VBS. It was hard to say bye to the kids because we just started building positive relationships with them. That night we served at an Asian festival. We played with the kids there and did some arts and crafts. It was a fun night! The last day rolled around and and the groups and I had all mixed emotions about leaving. Instead of doing VBS we went to a Hindu contextualized service. It was a very interesting experience. It was a totally different way of worshiping. It was nothing compared to what I was use to. That night we were assigned to do a service project where we went to go clean up a street that was poorly maintained. We pulled weeds and picked up trash. Once we had completed that it was a lot cleaner. It felt really good. We are flying back to Charlotte later today. I will miss the kids that I served and the leaders that I interacted with. I would like to thank Deandre for taking us and also everyone that supported me financially and also through prayer.

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Hey y'all! Now that is something you don't hear on the Chicago streets for sure! Although the people might not be the friendlist on the planet, this week has been one 0f the most spiritually filling weeks of my life and my relationship with God has soared to new heights I never even imagined.  To say the least, God has exceeded my expectations this week. Thursday night Deandre was telling us that God will always give us more than what we pray for... and after that lesson everything clicked about this week. Before this trip, I had hoped for a eye-opening experience to renew my faith with Jesus. But during this trip I had realized towards the end of it how much more God did to me during these eight days. Not only have I just renewed my faith, I grew more comfortable talking to random strangers, (sorry Mom, but most strangers were nice,) and to allow myself to listen to the Holy Spirit in me to represent the hands and feet of Jesus. Before this trip, I would walk around the Queen City not paying any attention to anyone or thing, now I look at the streets and see people who are lost or scared and need Jesus. Not only do I now observe people who are lost, but hear the Holy Spirit to tell me to go pray for them. This also helped me step out of my comfort zone to a whole new level. Now at the end of the week, I look back and see the amazing things God has done through me and the rest of our mission team. If I was told what I was going to be doing this last week, I honestly would have thought you were out of your mind. Now as I come back to NC, I am ready to continue serving God in the way that would have been intimidating to me, but now I know to put my trust in God, and he will bless me, and you, with more than you can ever imagine!!

Caroline R.

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Adam Zimmerman

Today marks our fourth day in Chicago, so far I have experienced and encountered many different people and scenario’s that I have never experienced in my life. For example we gave water and food to people in need, talked to people and listened them as they shared their story. We took  time to clean up trash on a three mile stretch around the lake front. It truly has been a great experience so far. I have been stretched and pulled out of my comfort zone. 

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Billy A.

This trip has been wonderful so far. I am so happy I decided to come. The kids are amazing, every little thing makes them smile. The smallest thing like making a paper air plane gets them going. This is my first mission trip and I was a little nervous at first but the staff here are great and they have made me feel welcome. I am looking forward to all the other activities we have planned and making sure my heart is open to trying new things so I can be a blessing to these kids.  

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We have been in Chicago for three days now and we have already been exposed to a variety of cultures through the church service, our daily walks and vacation bible school (vbs). I was really nervous about coming and being pushed outside my comfort zone but after the first day of vbs, I have realized this trip is more about the children and making a safe and enjoyable environment for them to learn to trust in the Lord. Yesterday, I also had a wonderful God sighting. Debbie, met a homeless women named Melissa who was in need of a sweatshirt and water. Myself along with four others went outside to greet her and learn her story while giving her a sweatshirt and two water bottles which she was very thankful for. She then gave my sister and I a hug and started to cry.  She was very thankful and I am glad I could make a small impact in her life.

Madi Tomsheck

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The First Day of Camp

Hi, my name is Rachel Flock. I am a chaperone on the trip. I am 21, and am attending Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. I am studying English and Education, and when I graduate next year, I will begin teaching high school English. I wanted to come on this trip to spend time with the students in my youth group (I love being around high-school age students), and I think that the mission trips we go on every summer really help me to renew myself in my faith. Now that you know a little bit about me, I want to tell you about today, from my perspective.

Today was our first day of VBS and day camp, and I was so excited to meet all of the kids! We had an orientation session last night telling us all of the things we needed to know to be ready for camp, so we were anxious and ready to go when the kids started arriving today. We probably had around 65 kids show up for camp today, which is a whole lot of children to have in one building! We spent the day singing, doing bible study, arts and crafts, and playing outside. 

At the end of every day, our youth group does highs and lows of the day, describing the best part of their day, and the worst part of their day. Today my high was getting the first day of camp over. I had no idea what to expect, so after today was over I was relieved that I got to see the structure of the camp and become a bit more familiar with how it works. My low of the day was that the camp itself was a little crazy. With 65 kids wanting to run and jump and play with their friends and with us, you can imagine how chaotic and overwhelming it was in the center today. Today we were encouraged to engage with the kids, and honestly, I did not live up to that challenge. I spent most of my day watching from the sidelines, and I feel guilty about that. I let my uncomfortable feelings get in the way of serving the children the best I could have today. I hope that tomorrow I have the courage to engage children, and show the love of Christ through my actions. 

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Casey Davidson

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Chicago!

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We have just started day 3 of our mission trip.  Just deflated my air mattress and put all of my stuff away to start the day.  Today we are starting our work with the children.  All of our kids are doing a great job.  Very willing to help and do anything that is asked of them.  So proud of CIC!

Debbie Davidson

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Leading up to this week I was a little nervous and hesitant about what was to come; I knew I would be pushed out of my comfort zone. However, our team, as well as the other teams here have quickly made this a joyful environment to grow in our faith together. I am looking forward to the week ahead. For example, yesterday we cleaned 3 miles worth of side streets and shoreline!! Although we were not looking for praise, those who thanked us recognized the need and our service.

Emily Tomsheck

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Its always nice to visit new places, it shows you just how much God is at work.

Demarcus Copeland (Carrollton, Georgia 24 years old)

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So far my overall experience has been a blast! For my first time on a plane and my first mission trip with the family Empowerment center and Envision, I must say that I am loving Chicago! I am filled with so much joy and full of excitement for what's next to come, but most importantly, I am thankful for my loving brother/friend Deandre Dukes for the invitation to be a part of something  as special as serving God and the community of Chicago. I am thankful the youth of Community in Christ Lutheran Church for being so accepting of my presence. the Family Empowerment Center for welcoming us all and giving us the missions trip experience with Envision.

La’Vargio Ellis

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We Leave for Chicago in just one week! Excited to see how God uses our students in Chicago next week. Please pray for each of us!

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