Grace Community Church: Summer 2025 Week 7

Week 7 of summer missions has come to a close. Last week the youth group from Grace Community Church served their local community in Hampton Roads. The students opened up during Bible study and prayed earnestly for one another. They exhibited the joy of the Lord through service. 

There were three worksite locations last week. The students served at PB Young Elementary school in Norfolk. They helped arrange classrooms and move furniture to prepare to welcome students soon for back-to-school. The missionaries also served at Now You're Cooking Culinary School. They helped re-tile a bathroom in the school. Finally, the missionaries helped dig out and prepare rows for planting at the community garden. They used machinery and cardboard to create a fertile planting ground for vegetables.

The student missionaries were also able to host a fun "Mario Kart" day for the kids of the parents that work the community garden. The student missionaries pushed the kids in makeshift carts and had water balloons and other activities to simulate the various items in the game. The kids had a blast!

The team had a special opportunity to serve one of our staff members last week. Pastor Jeff had undergone a difficult day and was in need of some encouragement and support. The students went to visit Pastor Jeff and encouraged him with their joy and their prayers. It was a beautiful moment where the ministry that Pastor Jeff has poured out so much into, was able to turn around and bless him. It was beautiful to see the Lord working through the students to bless Pastor Jeff.

The missionaries also had a unique experience visiting the Chesapeake arboretum. A local member of Christian Surfers, Steve, works in environmental conservation. While the students ate their lunch, Steve walked with them through the arboretum pointing out what is and is not considered a wetland. He also named various trees and plants. It was interesting to learn more about the depth of creation and how intricately and precisely the Lord has spoken this world into being. 

Last week the missionaries hosted Vacation Bible School at a Recreation Center in Norfolk for Community Outreach. The students planned games, sang songs, and shared stories from the Bible. They shared about the love of the Father and how each of the kids from the local community were made in the image of God. The missionaries helped the kids play together safely and enjoy time of fellowship. 

The mission team from Grace Community Church grew together and opened up to one another on the trip. Not all of the student missionaries were frequent members of the youth group and there were a few students that joined just for the trip. The students worked together well and opened up to share about their walks with the Lord. They were able to spend intentional time with their youth leaders during the Stop and Think portion of Bible Study where they apply the lessons to their own life for after the mission trip experience. 

We are so grateful that the youth from Grace Community Church chose to spend a week of their Summer serving their local community. They faithfully served and shared the grace and love of Christ with those around them. We are thankful for the gift of their time!