A Summer to Remember
by Patrique Harris, Ministry Director
As we say goodbye to another summer, I’m in awe of the growth I’m seeing in our Youth Ministry. Our youth fellowship, Adelante Youth Club, is truly so special. Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated the end of the summer with our now-annual lake trip to Mound City. We packed the Mission Adelante vans full of teens, volunteers, food, sleeping bags, life jackets, swim ‘fits, buckets of excitement, and hit the road!
A huge thanks to our longtime volunteer, Alexis, for opening up her cozy family home to all 25 of us (we used every square inch)!
And oh, what fun we had! There were epic jumps off the dock and Lily Pad, both graceful and off-balance paddleboard techniques, some hilariously off-beat freestyle rapping, lots of grilling, endless wading, and even two Elians becoming the best of friends. Lifelong memories were surely made.
But beyond the fun, there were truly deep moments I will never forget. Retreats feel like a sacred space, where honesty, vulnerability, and trust flourish. It’s in those spaces that hard things are shared, hearts are opened, and we surrender our burdens to Christ together. I felt the Holy Spirit moving, not just in the teens, but in me, too. Their bold prayers, joyful praise, and the way they embraced one another regardless of their background reminded me of the life Jesus calls us to. It was humbling and heavenly.
To be honest, I’m not always fully present at retreats. As a leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and logistics. But this time was different. Thanks to our incredible young-adult leaders, Erick, Mikya, and Innocent, I was able to step back and take it all in. These former teens, now faithful young adults, led some of the most meaningful moments: reminding us that we can lament like David, and showing us how to belt songs of praise under the stars.
As we launch a new trimester of Youth Club at Mission Adelante, would you bless us with your prayers?
Pray for wisdom and strength for our volunteer leaders as we mentor our teens.
Pray a hedge of protection over our youth, especially spiritually.
And pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to nurture and grow our fellowship.
Key Dates in 2025
Trimester 3
Volunteer Orientation: September 6th - 9am-12:30pm
SHINE Gala - September 18th at 6:00pm
Come and See nights: November 10-13 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm