People with a Passion for Mission

Last July, about 350 middle school youth and adult leaders came together at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, for Power Connection Work Camp. There they were equipped and sent to ministries throughout the Kansas City area.

[Students serve in Kansas City through Power Connection Work Camp. Photo courtesy Bob Cleveringa.]

By Bob Cleveringa

Where does a passion for missions begin? It begins with a connection with God through people with a passion that is contagious!

Last July, about 350 middle school youth and adult leaders came together at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, for Power Connection Work Camp. There they were equipped and sent to ministries throughout the Kansas City area.

Eight to ten students and two to three adults from different churches were placed on teams together. For many of the youth, this was the first time they had experienced a mission opportunity. Soon after they arrived, they began to be equipped for the experience.

This year’s camp theme was “Living Revolution.” Ryan Feltman, youth and family pastor at Good News Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, spoke on this theme and emphasized knowing, being, and doing. Ryan challenged the participants to move beyond an intellectual understanding of Jesus into an authentic relationship reflected through actions. A worship band from Maurice Reformed Church in Maurice, Iowa, brought the students and adults together while praising God.

When it came time to work, the teams spread out into the city, serving as a reflection of God in their teams and with whomever they met in the ministries they partnered with. Students packaged food, visited rest homes, did yard work, gleaned harvested crops, worked at homeless shelters, and sorted clothing. All the while, they became familiar with the mission of the organizations they served. Through the experience, participants learned what God wants them to know, be, and do in his kingdom.

Following the work camp, participants joined another 500 middle school students at the Power Connection 2015 event, which aims to “provide an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to transform the beliefs of students and adult leaders into a lifestyle of faith in Jesus Christ.” Bill Allison from Cadre Ministries spoke on the theme of “ignite,” Remedy Drive led music, and the drama team Onetimeblind performed. Many students responded to a challenge to commit themselves to God, and a huge number also asked their youth leaders to disciple them as they walk the journey ahead.