2013 1K Challenge Winners

Every year YouthWorks gives away $10,000 to teenagers who go on a YouthWorks trip then decide to make a difference in their own community. This year we’re thrilled to give these 10 youth groups $1,000 each to help kickstart their student-led ministry projects.

Bags of Hope

University Lutheran Church of Hope – Minneapolis, MN

The ULCH youth group will further their church’s partnership with Families Moving Forward, an organization that helps churches host homeless families. Through providing essential hygiene products and blankets for homeless children and their parents, teenagers hope to help care for families and be inspired to continue to serve others.

 

Bethel Kids Club

Bethel Lutheran Church – Wilmar, MN

In response to low ranking student achievement in local elementary schools, teenagers will be starting a club that teaches reading and writing skills to elementary age kids, while incorporating faith into learning. By working alongside children, the youth group hopes to see kids improve academically.

 

Broken into Beautiful Youth

Wading River Congregational Church – Wading River, NY

In response to a need for spiritual encouragement and positive activities, students are hosting youth recreation nights for community youth once a month. Each night teenagers will provide snacks, activities and an opportunity to connect with God, beginning with content based on YouthWorks’ 2013 UNDESIRABLE summer theme.

 

Community Garden

Bethel United Methodist Church – Warrenton, VA

Youth at Bethel UMC are looking forward to fighting hunger and showing love to their neighbors by growing and sharing produce. Through identifying specific people in need, students will be able to bring fresh produce to the doors of those at need, helping alleviate some of the need within their community.

 

Ebenezer Garden

First Presbyterian Church – Boynton Beach, FL

Looking for a way to support the service of a local soup kitchen, teenagers at First Presbyterian are building a garden to add fresh, pesticide-free produce to the menu. They hope their efforts will help bond their church closer together and point more people toward Christ.

 

Kids Packs

Our Redeemers Lutheran Church – Helena, MT

Students who have been busy packing healthy lunches for kids through the Kids Packs program are expanding their service to children in the neighboring community of East Helena. Through food drives, fundraising efforts and gardening, teenagers are leading an effort to feed at-risk kids over the weekend when school lunches aren’t available.

 

Project Purpose

St. John’s Lutheran Church – Lakeville, MN

The St. John’s youth group is focusing their relational ministry on a local non-profit nursing home. Through monthly parties, one-on-one connections and establishing a sensory garden, teenagers desire to renew the hope and purpose in others’ lives. They want the residents to find renewed faith and have a reason to enjoy each day of their lives.

 

Refugee Family Outreach

Calvary Church – Roseville, MN

In an effort to strengthen the work their church is already doing with refugee families, the youth group is going to host fundraising events to provide money for families. The events will also provide relational opportunities to connect with refugee families with the hopes that they will feel more involved at church and oriented to American life.

 

Summertime Kids Club

First Lutheran Church – Hoople, ND

Next summer, kids in Hoople will have the opportunity to hang out at Kids Club for three hours a day, three days a week. Along with teaching Bible lessons and having crafts, the First Lutheran youth groups will also help kids become involved with helping others through activities such as making blankets for the homeless or helping the elderly in the community.

 

The Ugly Sleeping Bag Project

Pulaski Heights Baptist Church – Little Rock, AR

Inspired by the sleeping bags they made during their YouthWorks trip, junior high students are creating “ugly sleeping bags” for people in their own community. In addition to sewing together scrap fabric and filling it with clothes and other items, the youth group desires for this project to raise awareness and invite compassion toward those with needs.

 

To find out more about YouthWorks’ 1K Challenge, visit www.reverbmagazine.com/1K